VN April 2023

Vetnuus | April 2023 18 References 1. BertelsenMF. Squamates (snakes and lizards). In:West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA:Wiley Blackwell; 2014:657-659. 2. Cinar A, Bagci C, Belge F, UzunM.The electrocardiogramof the Pekin duck. Avian Dis 40(4):919-923, 1996. 3. DeVoe RS. Reptilian cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. Proc Annu Conf AmBoardVet Pract 2011. 4. Espino L, Saurez ML, Lopez-Beceiro A, Santamarina G. Electrocardiogram reference values for the buzzard in Spain. JWildl Dis 37(4):680-685, 2001. 5. Flecknell PA,Thomas AA. Comparative anesthesia and analgesia of laboratory animals. In: GrimmKA, Lamont LA,TranquilliWJ et al (eds). Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia:The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. Ames, Iowa:Wiley Blackwell; 2015: 758. 6. Hawkins MG, Zehnder AM, Pascoe PJ. Cagebirds. In:West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA:Wiley Blackwell; 2015:770-772. 7. Heard D. Anesthesia. In: Speer BL (ed). CurrentTherapy in AvianMedicine and Surgery. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2016: 611-615. 8. Heard D. Lagomorphs (Rabbits, hares, and pikas). In:West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA:Wiley Blackwell; 2015:1558-1559. 9. Heard D. Rodents. In:West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA:Wiley Blackwell; 2015:1576-1579. 10. Holz RM, Holz P. Electrocardiography in anaesthetised red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Res Vet Sci 58(1):67-69, 1995. 11. Huston SM, Lee P, Quesenberry KE, et al. Cardiovascular disease, lymphoproliferative disorders, and thymoma. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW (eds.) Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2012: 257-268. 12. Kik MJL, Mitchell MA. Reptile cardiology: A review of anatomy and physiology, diagnostic approaches, and clinical disease. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med 14(1):52-60, 2005. The reptilian ECG also has relatively low amplitude waveforms, a much longer repolarization phase (longer ST and QT intervals), and a considerably shorter TP interval. 17,10 Although the presence of an ECG waveform does not rule out cardiac arrest due to pulseless electrical activity, the reptile heart often continues to contract for long periods of time following death, so use caution interpreting ECG findings as an indication of life . 3 Always use an additional monitoring technique that ensures spontaneous circulation, such as capnography or Doppler ultrasound flow. 15 Summary Electrocardiography can be used to detect and diagnose arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities, particularly during long-term anesthesia. When monitoring the ECG in exotic animals, alligator clips are generally not attached directly to the patient, particularly those of small size or with delicate skin. Instead clips are attached to the tips of small-gauge hypodermic needles or stainless-steel suture loops that have been passed through the skin and subcutaneous space. Adhesive ECG patches can be used in mammals or large, smooth reptile patients. The normal reptile ECG tracing may include an SV wave, low amplitude waveforms, and a relatively long repolarization phase (represented by longer ST and QT intervals). The normal avian ECG tracing can resemble ventricular tachycardia, primarily because of a large negative S wave. v Figure 4 Electrocardiogrampatches placed on an Aldabra tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Photo credit: Katrina Lafferty, CVT, VTS. Article