Determination of electrocardiographic test methods in non-anaesthetized common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina, Linnaeus, 1758)

Background: Chelonian cardiology is a dynamically developing field in the veterinary medicine, but guidelines to electrocardiographic examinations still need to be established in many soecies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish the best non-invasive method for electrocardiographic measurements in non -anaesthetized common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentine) and to determine the most appropriate protocol for performing ECG examinations in the species. Materials and methods: Ten common snapping turtles were examined at a rescue centre rear Budapest between 9 and 1 a.m. The average body weight of the animals was 8.65 3.65 kg. The water temperature was 18 C and air temperature was 20-25 C. The animals were removed from the water in the enclosure and placed into dorsal recumbency for ECG measurements. Both adhesive and clamp electrodes were used to secure 4 electrodes on each snapping turtle that took part in the study. Results and discussion: Adhesive electrodes yielded results in 3 specimens, where the PQPST complex could be seen. The average body weight of these animals was 6.5 kgs. The PQRST complex could be seen in 4 animals when using clamp electrodes and their average body weight was 7.25 kgs. No useful ECG recoding could be captured in 4 arimals. The average bocy weight of these animals was 11.875 kgs. Since a linear correlation could be established, Pearson correlation could be utilized; the resulting R value was -0.64, which together with our number of elements (n = 10) indicated a significant negative correlation between body weight and the success cf recording PQRST complexes (o = 0.045) in the snapping turtles. It was not possible to record enough consecutive heartbeats to reliably determine the heart ihythm even in recordings with identifiable PQRST complexes. Based on these results. the authors recommend the use of clip electrodes for this species, because it is more effective than the adhesive electrodes. To secure a non -anaesthetized snapping turtle, the authors recommend dorsal recumbency during ECG examinations.