Electrocardiographical characteristics of the beagle, as an experimental dog, were investigated in 102 individuals of both sexes, in comparison with 137 mongrel dogs, by using A-B bipolar lead. Moreover, in 20 beagles and 20 mongrel dogs selected from them, electrocardiograms were also recorded by using limb leads, precordial leads and supplementary precordial leads. The results obtained are summarized as follows.
1) No differences were observed in the conduction time between beagles and mongrel dogs. The amplitude of each deflection (P, R, S and T waves), however, was higher in the beagles than in the mongrel dogs. The ratio of amplitude of S wave to T wave was higher in the beagles.
2) C
6 lead ECG in the beagles appeared in the Qr type of the QRS complex, and that in the mongrel dogs in the RS type with a higher amplitude. M
5 lead ECG in the beagles presented the Qr type of the QRS complex, although that in the mongrel dogs showed the qR type. In C
1lead ECG, each dog showed the Qr type of the QRS complex with the same amplitude.
3) From the above-mentioned results, it was presumed that the heart might be larger in size in the beagle than in the mongrel dog, as compared with the volume of the thoracic cavity. In the beagle, the right ventricular wall might widely cover the cranial part of the right thracic wall, accompanied with a slight anticlockwise rotation around the longitudinal heart axis.
4) No arrhythmias were observed in the beagles at any lead of ECG. Much fewer abnormalities in ECG pattern were seen in the beagles than in the mongrel dogs.
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