NORMAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAM OF THE LAUGHING DOVE (SPILOPELIA SENEGALENSIS)

The aim of this study was to describe the normal electrocardiographic patterns and values in conscious laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis). The standard bipolar (I, II, and III) and augmented unipolar limb (aVR, aVL, and aVF) leads' electrocardiographs were recorded in 10 clinically healthy laughing doves. The wave forms were analyzed in all leads at 50 mm/sec and at 10 mm = 1 mV to determine PR, QRS, ST, and QT durations, the net QRS complex, and P and T amplitudes. The polarity of each waveform was tabulated in all leads. The mean electrical axis (MEA) for the frontal plane was calculated using standard bipolar leads II and III. The mean heart rate (calculated from the lead II) was 357 +/- 12.5 beats/min. The P wave was positive in all leads except for the aVR lead. The dominant pattern of waveforms for the QRS complexes was rS in leads II, III, aVR, and aVF, whereas in leads I and aVL, the patterns were R and Rs, respectively. The T wave was positive in leads II, III, aVF and negative in leads I, aVR, and aVL. The average value of the heart MEA was -89.7 +/- 1.30 degrees. The electrocardiogram values and patterns tabulated in these clinically normal laughing doves provide a means of comparison to aid in the diagnosis of pathologic abnormalities in this species.