Electrocardiographic Evaluation of Cardiac Rhythm: A Comparative Study of Apparently Healthy German Shepherd Dogs Versus Dogs with Cardiac Affections

Abstract

Background: The objective of the present study was to define existence of age and body weight related cardiac structural and functional changes in both healthy GSD as well as those having structural or functional cardiac affections. Thus the present study was conducted to establish the reference values of various parameters of ECG based on age and body weight and further evaluation of clinical cases based on these reference values. Method: The present study was conducted on eight apparently healthy German shepherd dogs aged 36-72 months with body weight 22-33.2 kg free from cardio-thoracic diseases to establish the reference values of various electrocardiographic parameters (Group-I) and used to evaluate the cardiac rhythm in 3 GSD dogs having some cardiac diseases (Group-II) based on the reference values obtained from Group-I. Result: Heart rate showed negative correlation with age and body weight. Positive correlation of amplitude of S and T wave, QRS complex, duration of T wave, P-R interval and R-R interval with age and body weight; amplitude of Q wave, duration of P wave and Q-T interval with body weight was observed. Negative correlation of amplitude of P and R wave, S-T interval with age and body weight; amplitude of Q wave, duration of P wave and Q-T interval with age was observed.