A clinical study on electrocardiographic changes in goats suffering from pneumonia

The present clinical study aimed at investigating the effect of pneumonia on electrocardiographic indices in goats. The electrocardiogram of the pneumonic goats revealed sinus tachycardia characterized by an increased heart rate, decreased P-R interval, slightly increased P amplitude, almost normal ‘P’ duration, normal QRS, slightly increased S amplitude, low T amplitudes, decreased but almost regular R-R interval as compared to goats with normal pulmonary function. The effect of pneumonia on the ECG seems due principally through its effects on the SA node owing to physiological alteration in hemodynamics/acid-base balance or hypoxic changes owing to respiratory distress. Two goats with higher heart rate (>200 bpm) could not survive. Remaining goats responded well to ceftiofur sodium, deriphyline, phenaramine, prednisolone (lung consolidation) and meloxicam treatment for 5 to 7 days.