Comparative assessment of electrocardiographic parameters of some birds—an essential diagnostic tool in veterinary practice

Abstract Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of death in commercial turkeys, meat-type chicken, and other birds. Pulmonary hypertension, leading to right ventricular failure, causes high losses in broiler and roaster chickens. In both chickens and turkeys these condition are related directly to growth rate. The diagnosis is usually based on history and gross examination. This work was designed to assess the electrocardiographic parameters of various birds as alternative/additional means of clinical diagnosis. The objective of this study was to identify every aspect of the Lead II ECG waveform. The electrocardiogram is a useful tool in avian medicine as it can be utilized to measure heart rate and to detect arrhythmias, cardiac chamber enlargement, and electrical conductance abnormalities.