Electrocardiographic pattern of agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) chemically contained by the association of ketamine and xylazine

ABSTRACT

Background: The agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha, Wagler, 1831) is an existing wild rodent in almost all of Brazil, usedas a biological model in several scientific studies. Veterinary cardiology has showed great advances in the diagnostic areadue to the possibility of cardiac evaluation by non-invasive methods. For the practice of scientific or handling proceduresin wild animals, chemical containment is essential. Thus, it is important to know the effect of anesthetic protocols on thecardiovascular system, observed through complementary tests, such as the electrocardiogram. The objective of this studywas to describe the computerized electrocardiographic tracing of agoutis chemically contained by the association of Ketamineand Xylazine.Materials, Methods & Results: Eighteen male and female clinically healthy animals, aged among 2 years, submitted todigital electrocardiographic examination, were used. The device used to obtain the tracing was the veterinary electrocardiograph(Electrocardiogram Acquisition Module for Computer) - Brazilian Electronic Technology (TEB). The analysiswas always made from derivation II (DII). Chemical containment was performed by the combination of Ketamine andXylazine, intramuscularly. The results showed that the heart rate for males was on average 113.25 bpm, while for femalesthe value of 124.60 bpm was observed, and there was no significant difference between the genders (P > 0.05). The meanweight of males was 2.31 kg and for females 2.28 kg; there was no statistical difference for this variable (P > 0.05). Forthe QRS duration of 46.14 ± 5.05 ms (males) and 44.66 ± 5.94 ms (females) and PR interval of 79.94 ± 12.01ms (males)and 84.29 ± 12.37ms (females), there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). The amplitude of the R wave of 0.42 ± 0.31mV (males) and 0.36 ± 0.22 mV (females) showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05). The T wave showed itself bothnegative (10 animals) [...]