Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish normal electrocardiographic (ECG) values for standard lead II in West African Dwarf goats (WAD) and Red Sokoto Goats (RS). Electrocardiographic study of 11 healthy WAD and 11 RS goats 10 months to 2 years of age was carried out with EDAN 10 Veterinary Electrocardiographic equipment. Record from Lead II showed the heart rate varied from 87 to 175 beats/min with a mean of 149.55 ± 51.13 beats/min for RS goats; and 142-272 with a mean of 171.5 ± 39.7 for WAD goats. The difference was significant between the heart rate of the two goat breeds (P<0.05). The P wave appeared prolonged and of multifocal atria rhythm.  The mean P wave was 0.11 ± 0.24 in WAD goats and 0.11 ± .059 in RS goats. The mean QRS complex was 0.065 ± 0.21 sec in WAD goats and 0.059 ± 0.35 in RS goats. The QT was prolonged in the breeds, with appearance of U wave in some. The prolonged QT interval suggested prolonged ventricular repolarization which may be as a result of the deeply penetrating Purkinje system in ruminants that gave rise to explosive spread of waves in many directions from ventricular endocardium to epicardium.

Keywords: Electrocardiogram, Heart rate, Noninvasive, RS goats, WAD goats