ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to describe electrocardiographic findings in pumas (Puma concolor). The animals were sedated with 0.15mg/kg of detomidine plus 5mg/kg of ketamine and anesthetized with sevoflurane (GSEVO, n=6), or isoflurane (GISO, n=5). The heart rate was 95 ± 13bpm. The changes observed on GSEVO animals were: atrial standstill with ventricular conduction, isolated episodes of ventricular premature contraction, atrioventricular blockage of first degree, reduction of the amplitude of the QRS complexes, deep S wave, and increase of the amplitude of the T wave. In the GISO group a right bundle branch block of the His bundle, atrioventricular blockage of first degree and of the amplitude of the T wave. Arrhythmias couldn´t be related to the use of inhalant anesthesia due to the lack of myocardial awareness to catecholamines. Findings such as atrioventricular block in first degree may have occurred due to the use of α-2 adrenergic agonists. This study improved the knowledge about electrocardiographic alterations in anesthetized pumas, however further studies are required to correlate these findings to the use of anesthetic agents.
Keywords:
Alpha-2 agonists; general anesthesia; inhalation anesthesia; cardiology; detomidine
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