Electrocardiogram assessment in long-eared hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus) following administration of anesthetics

Anesthesia in animals is a crucial requirement for conducting surgery, diagnostic imaging, and other procedures when the animal cannot be safely managed in a conscious state. The present study aimed to compare the impact of different anesthetic techniques on the electrocardiogram of hedgehogs. The animals were given three different anesthetic combinations: ketamine + xylazine, ketamine + diazepam, and ketamine + midazolam. The study measured the heart rate, duration, and amplitude of the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave through bipolar II derivations. Normal sinus rhythm was observed following induction by all anaesthetic combinations; however, the combination of ketamine and xylazine resulted in a significant decrease in heart rate. The P wave was positive with different combinations of anesthetics. The mean amplitude of the P wave in hedgehogs anesthetized using ketamine+xylazine was significantly lower than when using ketamine+diazepam and ketamine+midazolam. The QRS polarity was positive in leads I, II, and aVF after anesthesia induced by all combinations. The duration and amplitude of the QRS complexes did not differ significantly between all combinations. Hedgehogs anesthetized with ketamine+midazolam revealed the highest amplitude of the QRS (0.23 mv), while in the ketamine+diazepam anesthetized group, lowest amplitude (0.18 mv) was observed. The T wave was positive in all leads except leads III and aVR. Animals anesthetized with ketamine + xylazine had the lowest amplitude (0.117 mv) and the longest duration (0.08 s) of the T waves. The findings suggest that ketamine+midazolam is the choice combination based on ECG evaluation in hedgehogs.