European Journal of Zoological Research
Abstract
Author(s): Mohammad Hakimzadeghan, Ali Hassanpour and Amir Parviz Rezaei Saber
Pneumonia is caused by several factors in the horses which could lead to some changes in heart�¢����s
electrocardiogram. This study was conducted for the purpose of studying the electrocardiographic changes among
the horses suffering from pneumonia. The current study was carried out on 25 horses suffering from pneumonia as
well as 25 healthy horses of the stables located in the outskirts of Tabriz. The sick horses were confirmed based
upon the laboratory and clinical clues (Culture of nasal secretions and CBC). After getting the blood sample from
all the horses, the electrocardiogram was provided and the cardiac arrhythmias were recorded accordingly. The
number of heartbeats of the sick horses had got a significant increase (p < 0.05). Irregular heartbeat rhythm was
observed in 8 horses of healthy group and 12 horses of sick group, which the cardiac arrhythmia among sick horses
was significant (p < 0.05). Sinus tachycardia was the most common observed arrhythmia in the sick group. The
difference of the average time and waves�¢���� distance between two groups didn�¢����t make any sense. Meanwhile, waves�¢����
height in regard to T and P of the averages�¢���� difference didn�¢����t make sense, however in regard to QRS wave, waves�¢����
height in the sick group had increased significantly (p < 0.05). In either of the groups most of the double-leveled P
waves were positive; also different QRS and T waves in both groups had been recorded. The average level of serum
of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, glucose in sick group indicated an increase, which was quite significant in regard
to calcium, sodium and glucose (p < 0.05), whereas about phosphorus it was not significant. The final consequence
suggested that pneumonia leads to electrocardiographic changes among horses; however the majority of the cited
changes are physiological ones which could be recovered by treating the disease and eliminating the electrolyte
disorders caused by it accordingly.
