Device and method for electrocardiography on freely moving animals

A method for obtaining an electrocardiogram from an animal, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing an ECG monitoring device, a first catheter and a second catheter, a reference lead, and at least two test leads;
• b. connecting one of the at least two test leads to the first catheter and the ECG monitoring device;
• c. connecting the other of the at least two test leads to the second catheter and the ECG monitoring device, and connecting the reference lead to the animal and the ECG monitoring device;
• d. inserting the first catheter into a first vein near the animal's heart, and inserting the second catheter into a second vein near the animal's heart so that the first and second catheters are located on an axis running diagonally across the heart from one of the heart's atriums to a position just below the opposite ventricle of the heart;
• e. filling the first catheter and the second catheter with an electrically conductive, physiological solution;
• and
• f. processing a plurality of signals received from the at least two test leads with the ECG monitoring device to produce an electrocardiogram.

An electrocardiography device for obtaining electrocardiograms from an animal, the device comprising:

• a. two intravenous catheters connected to the animal;
• b. an electrically conductive, physiological solution contained in each of the two catheters;
• c. an ECG monitoring device, and
• d. a means for providing an electrical connection between the electrically-conductive, physiological solution and the ECG monitoring device.