Correct ECG recording requires several important conditions. The examination should be performed in an isolated room without sources of electrical interference, such as mobile phones, patient monitors, physiotherapy and radiology rooms, electrical distribution boards and other devices capable of creating interference.
The animal's body must not touch the metal parts of the table. If a metal table is used, it must be grounded. This helps reduce the risk of artifacts and obtain a higher-quality ECG recording.
When using modern cardiology modules, such as CARDIO-M, the Ultra-Filter function may be used if strong interference occurs.
If a high-quality recording cannot be obtained because of muscle tremor, animal movement, growling, purring or other interference, the use of filters is justified. However, it is important to remember that ECG parameters and complex morphology are best evaluated on a recording obtained without filters, since applying filters may create a damping effect.
Animal restraint is also very important. The patient's body must not touch the metal parts of the table. ECG is usually recorded with the animal lying on its right side, with the limbs extended perpendicular to the body.
Positioning the animal on its right side is optimal for proper assessment of the heart's electrical axis and is considered the standard. However, if axis assessment is not meaningful for the clinician in a specific case and for a specific patient, ECG recording in any animal position is acceptable.