Dataset Information

Comparative electrocardiographic study of the Asian freshwater box turtle Cuora flavomarginata and the Asian yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica using non-invasive methods.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evaluation of cardiac function is an integral part of clinical examination of chelonians. However, information about electrocardiography (ECG) in turtles and tortoises is limited and fragmentary. Its application is limited due to the lack of ECG reference values. This study aimed to compare specific ECG parameters using non-invasive methods in the Asian box turtle Cuora flavomarginata (CF) and the Asian yellow pond turtle Mauremys mutica (MM).

Methods

We included 116 clinically healthy and conscious turtles. Two non-invasive methods, using adhesive patches or crocodile clips, for ECG were applied where possible. The ambient temperature was within the preferred optimum temperature zone of both species. We used specific digital ECG monitoring equipment to record the ECG data and analysed the data using specific software.

Results

The MM group showed better ECG quality and lower heart rate than the CF group. Comparing both methods, the adhesive patches method yielded higher ECG quality in the CF group, while the crocodile clips method yielded higher ECG quality in the MM group.

Conclusions

The study population was selected as presumed healthy turtles; the presence of systemic or cardiac disease could not be excluded completely due to limited investigation. Both ECG methods were clinically potentially useful for obtaining ECG parameters; the ECG quality was influenced by the method used.

SUBMITTER: Kuo CC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9732382 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Comparative electrocardiographic study of the Asian freshwater box turtle <i>Cuora flavomarginata</i> and the Asian yellow pond turtle <i>Mauremys mutica</i> using non-invasive methods.

Kuo Chin-Chia CC Chan I-Ping IP Lai Cheng-Hung CH

Veterinary record open 20221208 1

<h4>Background</h4>Evaluation of cardiac function is an integral part of clinical examination of chelonians. However, information about electrocardiography (ECG) in turtles and tortoises is limited and fragmentary. Its application is limited due to the lack of ECG reference values. This study aimed to compare specific ECG parameters using non-invasive methods in the Asian box turtle <i>Cuora flavomarginata</i> (CF) and the Asian yellow pond turtle <i>Mauremys mutica</i> (MM).<h4>Methods</h4>We i ...[more]

PMID: 36514371

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