Electrocardiographic and haemato-biochemical profile of an apparently healthy Indian Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus ursinus): A case report

The study aims to report the baseline electrocardiographic and haemato-biochemical values in an adult healthy Indian Sloth bear. An apparently healthy male Indian Sloth bear aged about nine years was immobilized using a ketamine-xylazine combination, ketamine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg body weight; Ketamil, Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd., Smithfield, NSW, Australia) and xylazine hydrochloride (Xylazil, 2 mg/kg body weight; Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd.). A twelve-lead standard ECG recorder Technocare Medisystems model DP2020 digital single channel ECG recorder was used to record ECG in Indian Sloth bear. The electrocardiograph was set with a paper speed of 50 mm/sec and sensitivity of 1 (20 mm = 1 mV). The Sloth bear was positioned in right lateral recumbency and dorsal recumbency on an insulated table and the clips of the electrodes fitted to alligator clips were attached to the olecranon and the patella. To minimize the variables associated with anaesthetic depth, the ECG evaluation was conducted once a surgical anaesthetic plane was attended based on lack of pedal reflexes. Blood sample was collected from jugular vein after immobilisation using a 20-gauge needle in vacutainers (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA) with and without Ethelyne Diamine Tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for haematology and serology respectively. Standard haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed using a haematological analyser Vitros 250. The amplitude of P wave was recorded higher in dorsal recumbent position. The Q wave amplitude value was more in right lateral recumbency. R wave amplitude was more in right lateral recumbency whereas R wave duration was more in dorsal recumbency. Higher S wave was obtained in dorsal recumbency. Amplitude and duration of T wave was greater in right lateral recumbency. PR interval and QT interval were more in right lateral recumbency whereas RR interval, PR segment and ST segment were more in dorsal recumbency. Heart rate was higher in right lateral recumbent position. The hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit level, differential count and eosinophil percentage were comparatively higher in Indian Sloth bear than most domestic animals. The platelet count in the blood picture was recorded to be higher than most domestic animals. In biochemical analysis under liver function tests, albumin, direct and indirect bilirubin were lower than most domestic animals. Amylase and lipase which were the basic markers of pancreatitis were comparable to domestic animals. The reported values of serum cardiac biomarkers can be used for assessment of myocardial injury. The result of this study will assist veterinarians in management and conservation of this rare species.