An ECG is a measuring device used to diagnose heart disease. It measures the electrical impulses emitted by the heart's activity.
In veterinary medicine, an ECG is mainly used to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias and for intensive monitoring. Unlike humans, heart attacks are rare in animals.
In small animals, the examination is performed with the animal lying on its right side; in large animals, the animal stands. It is important that the animals lie or stand on a non-conductive surface. The impulses are recorded by electrodes that are attached to the animal's skin. The currents are then displayed in a curve that represents the heart function.
If symptoms only occur during physical activity, a stress ECG is recommended. This involves recording an ECG while the animal is under stress for a certain period of time.
A 24-hour ECG, also known as a Holter ECG, can be used to measure an animal's heart activity over a whole day or even longer under normal conditions. This type of ECG is used to diagnose certain diseases at an early stage or to record fainting spells and episodes of weakness. For this purpose, adhesive electrodes are attached to the side of the chest and the device itself is attached to the animal's back with a small backpack. This means that the animal does not need to be admitted to hospital for the examination.
An event recorder is used to detect cardiac arrhythmias that occur only occasionally and cannot be detected by an ECG during symptom-free periods. The device can be attached externally or implanted under the skin through a small incision. An event recorder can remain on or in the animal for a certain period of time and continuously records ECG data for a few minutes at a time.
In dogs, as in humans, the anterior cruciate ligament often tears. This strong ligament connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee joint and prevents the knee from overextending or twisting. However, while cruciate ligament tears in humans are usually traumatic in nature (caused by sports accidents of all kinds), in dogs the ligament gradually breaks down over a longer period of time (degeneration).
The bit attached to the bridle transmits your rein aids to your horse and is therefore a central link in rider-horse communication. As the horse's mouth is a particularly sensitive area, it is important that the bit suits you both. Choosing the right bit depends on the level of training of the rider and horse, the type of riding, the anatomy of the horse's mouth, the temperament and also the preferences of the horse.
Similar to humans, dogs of middle to advanced age can also develop a sugar metabolism disorder. Canine diabetes is the second most common hormone-related disease in dogs. The first noticeable symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. If diabetes is detected early, the disease can be well controlled with lifelong insulin therapy. However, certain emergencies can also occur in the context of diabetes, requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor that occurs in cats mainly in the mouth, ears, and nose. Starting in the uppermost layer of skin and mucous membrane, the squamous epithelium, this tumor spreads very quickly and aggressively. Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, although older cats are more susceptible.
This condition of the knee joint, in which the kneecap (patella) pops out of its natural position to the side, is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs. This dislocation occurs mainly in growing and older dogs of small breeds. Several of these breeds have a particular genetic predisposition to patella luxation.
Immune deficiency syndrome, colloquially known as "feline AIDS," is an infectious disease caused by a virus that weakens the immune system and causes serious secondary diseases. The virus is similar to HIV but is not dangerous to humans.
Blood pressure measurement determines the pressure in the blood vessels. It consists of two values, the systolic (higher) and diastolic (lower) blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is measured when the heart contracts to pump blood out of the heart. As soon as the heart muscle relaxes and blood flows back in, the diastolic blood pressure is measured.
If you are thinking about getting a rabbit as a pet, you should definitely research in advance how these animals like to live and what they need. Also ask yourself why you want a rabbit in the first place. These little hoppers should not be purchased purely as cuddly toys for the youngest animal lovers. Children in particular should learn from the outset that handling animals requires a certain amount of understanding and responsibility.
The horse's back is extremely important for its stability and movement. It also carries the weight of the rider. A healthy back is essential for your horse's well-being, long-term use, and performance.
It's not always easy to keep track of everything in our human world that could be harmful to our four-legged friends. Often, we don't even see how quickly Fido has stuck his head in the trash can and hurt himself by eating onion scraps. But it's not just food that poses a danger; the wrong toys can cause problems, as can drinking from a puddle at the edge of a field.
Hip dysplasia, better known as HD, is a very common skeletal disorder in dogs. It is a hereditary malformation of the hip joint that occurs primarily in large breeds and affects up to half of all dogs of a breed.
Elbow joint dysplasia describes a complex of hereditary developmental disorders of the elbow joint. It occurs primarily in fast-growing large dog breeds during the growth phase and leads to varying degrees of lameness.
