Diagnostics of the heart condition in ukrainian riding horses with a portable ecg monitor

Authors

  • B. V. Popadiuk National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine image/svg+xml
  • S. I. Holopura National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31548/ujvs2020.03.001

Keywords:

arrhythmias, heart condition diagnostics, portable ECG-monitor, ECG records, horses

Abstract

Abstract. Electrocardiographic reference values of clinically healthy horses are needed for assessment of the reduced performance or cardiac pathology animals. The purpose of this study was to establish the rate of occurrence of arrhythmias in clinically healthy horses of the Ukrainian riding breed at rest, during exercises and recovery period. Experimental group of animals included 36 horses of 3 – 17-years old, 16 mares (adult female horses), 11 geldings (castrated males) and 9 stallions (adult males). The electrodes were placed with modified base-apex system on the surface of animals’s body. ECG recording was performed at rest (15 minutes), during exercises and recovery period, for 30–40 and 15 minutes, respectively. Prevalence and rate of occurrence of arrhythmias was analyzed with obtained recordings. A significant number of the second degree atrioventricular blocks were detected in 13.9 % cases (n=5) during the recovery period. 33.3 % (n=12), 8.3 % (n=3) and 19.4 % (n=7) of cases of supraventricular premature contractions were detected during exercises, at rest and during recovery period, respectively. The incidence of supraventricular premature contractions was < 3/animal and < 5/animal during exercises and recovery period, respectively; with exception for one animal which 9 and 7 premature contractions were detected, respectively. Ventricular premature contractions were identified in 2.7 % (n=1) and 5.6 % (n=2) cases, at rest and exercises, respectively. Supraventricular tachycardia with 6–9 consecutive premature contractions during trot was detected in 1 horse (2.7 %). The results of this study have confirmed the presence of arrhythmias in clinically healthy horses. The type of arrhythmias significantly depends on the period (rest, exercises and recovery) of the animal’s activity, particularly.

Key words: arrhythmias, heart condition diagnostics, portable ECG-monitor, ECG records, horses

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Published

2020-09-09

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2020)

Section

Article

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