THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM OF THE PEKIN DUCK

In this study, standard limb lead electrocardiograms (EGG) were record ed in 50 Pekin ducks. The ECG exhibited P, R, S, and T waves. A Q wave was observed in 30% of leads aVR aVL. All waves in lead I were of ver y low amplitude or almost isoelectric. The P wave was 20% negative, 80 % positive in lead aVR and always positive in other leads. The duratio n and amplitude of P wave were 0.025 sec and 0.17 mV, respectively and the P-R interval was 0.06 sec in lead II. A Q wave was observed in 30 % of leads aVR and aVL but was invisible in other leads. The duration of QRS complex was 0.036 sec and its amplitude was 0.069 mV. The S wav e (rS) was greater than the R wave in leads III and aVE The R and S wa ves were equal in lead III (66%). The mean duration and amplitude of T wave were 0.05 sec and 0.22 mV, respectively. The T wave was negative in leads aVR and aVL and positive in other leads. The Q-T interval wa s 0.10 sec. The mean heart rate was 281.3 (220-375) beats/min. The ave rage value of the mean electrical axis was +147 degrees (+95 degrees t o -160 degrees).