Canine electrocardiographs are common procedures in a small animal veterinary practice. They are normally used as a diagnostic tool when canine heart disease is suspected and used to monitor heart function in the operating room. An electrocardiogram determines whether cardiac rate and rhythm is normal and is often a pre-operative procedure in older or overweight dogs. There are typically six lead systems (placement protocols) determined by the type of machine being used. Leads I, II, and III are called bipolar limb leads and detail the electrical voltage being produced by the heart between two areas on the dog's body. The augmented unipolar limb leads (aVR, aVL, aVF) compare cardiac electrical stimulation at one limb to a central point of the heart. Because canine electrocardiograms can only be performed in a clinical setting, it is important that dog owners educate themselves on how the procedure is performed by the vet or vet tech.
Things You'll Need
- Blanket or heavy-duty mat
- Assistant dog handler
- Spray alcohol or contact gel
- Veterinary electrocardiogram machine
Instructions
Leads I, II, III
Place a blanket or heavy-duty mat on the floor or a non-metal table.
Restrain the dog by having an assistant hold the dog in a standing position or placing him in right lateral recumbency (on his right side) on the blanket.
Spray alcohol or put contact gel on the dog's skin at the elbow on both front and back legs, making sure that the alcohol or gel contacts the skin and not hair.
Attach the right lead to the skin of the right front elbow and the left lead to the skin of the left front elbow (Lead I).
Clip the right lead to the skin of the right front elbow and the left lead to the left back elbow (Lead II).
Place the right lead on the left front elbow and the left lead on the left back elbow (Lead III).
Leads aVR, aVL, aVF
Follow Steps 1 through 3 in the preceding section.
Attach the left unipolar lead to the elbow of the left front leg and the other unipolar lead to the elbow of the back left leg. Clip the singular lead to the elbow of the right front leg (Lead aVR).
Clip the left unipolar lead to the elbow of the left rear leg and the other unipolar lead to the elbow of the right front leg. Place the singular lead on the elbow of the left front leg (Lead aVL).
Place the left unipolar lead on the elbow of the left front leg and the other unipolar lead on the elbow of the right front leg. Clip the singular lead to the elbow of the left back leg (Lead aVF).