Nurgul Atmaca*, Ozkan Simsek, Sevket Arikan, Ruhi Kabakci
Kirikkale University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology, 71451, Yahsihan–Kirikkale, Turkey
*Corresponding author: nurgulzengin@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Electrocardiography (ECG) used in the determination of cardiac abnormalities and is a fundamental part of clinical evaluation. The aim of this study was to determine reference ranges of ECG parameters in kitten and adult Angora cats and to check the effect of age upon different ECG parameters. In this study, 14 kittens (8 females, 6 males) aged 2.5–3 months old and 14 adult cats (7 females, 7 males) between 2–3 years of age, a total of 28 healthy Angora cats were used. The three standard bipolar limb leads (I, II, III) and augmented unipolar limb leads (aVR, aVL, aVF) were recorded with the cats in right lateral recumbency position. Duration and amplitude of P, T waves and QRS complex, PR and QT intervals, heart rhythm, the mean electrical axis (MEA) and heart rate were measured in lead II. In addition, in all leads were determined, configurations of P wave, QRS complex and T wave. Data was evaluated with Mann–Whitney U test because it was not provided in the normality of assumptions. The mean heart rate was 204.71±25.27 beats/ min in kittens and 182.07±14.54 beats/min in adult cats. The average value of the MEA was 103.36±25.32° in kittens and 80.21±19.53° in adult cats. Data from kitten and adult age groups were compared; R and T wave amplitude, PR interval and heart rate and MEA values were found to be statistically different. As a result, this present study revealed ECG values of both kitten and adult Angora cats. In addition, some parameters were observed to change depending on the age.

Key Words: Angora cat, Electrocardiogram, Heart rate, Mean electrical axis, Wave