Echocardiographic study of healthy Indian Spitz dogs with normal reference ranges for the breed

Aim: The present study was aimed to determine the normal reference values of M-mode echocardiographic measurements in healthy Indian Spitz dogs and evaluate the influence of gender and body weight on these measurements. Materials and Methods: M-mode echocardiography was performed in twenty-four clinically healthy conscious Indian Spitz dogs, aged 3-5 years and weighing 7-18 kg. Measurements were made from the right parasternal long axis left ventricular outflow tract view of the heart. The parameters recorded were: Left ventricular internal dimension, interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness during diastole and systole, left atrial diameter, aortic root diameter, left ventricular systolic functional parameters, and indices and mitral valve parameters. Results: M-mode echocardiographic measurements in healthy Indian Spitz dogs were standardized. Gender had no influence on echocardiographic measurements except mitral valve excursion amplitude and time interval between onset and end of mitral valve closure, which were significantly (p<0.05) higher in females than males. Left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole, left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole, left ventricular posterior wall dimension at end-systole, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, cardiac output, left ventricular ejection time, and mitral valve excursion amplitude correlated significantly (p<0.05) with body weight in Indian Spitz dogs. Conclusion: Data obtained in the present study can be used as breed-specific reference values for cardiac disease diagnosis as well as for future studies in Indian Spitz dogs

M-mode echocardiographic reference values in Pantja goats

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish M-mode echocardiographic reference values in Pantja goats and to study the effect of gender and body weight (BW) on these parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 18, clinically healthy, adult Pantja goats of either sex, aged 2-4 years and weighing 10-44 kg were included in the study. Echocardiographic examination was performed in the standing unsedated animal. All measurements were made from the right parasternal long-axis left ventricular outflow tract view of the heart. The following parameters were recorded: Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole and systole, interventricular septal thickness at diastole and systole, left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) thickness at diastole and systole, end diastolic and systolic volumes, stroke volume, fractional shortening, ejection fraction, percent systolic thickening of interventricular septum, percent systolic thickening of LVPW, cardiac output, left atrial (LA) diameter at diastole and systole, aortic (AO) root diameter at diastole and systole, LA/AO, LA posterior wall thickness at diastole and systole, left ventricular ejection time, DE amplitude, EF slope, AC interval and e-point to septal separation. Results: This study demonstrated specific reference ranges of M-mode echocardiographic parameters and indices in healthy Pantja goats. Normal echocardiographic values obtained in Pantja goats were quite different from other goat breeds. Gender had no influence on echocardiographic parameters, while high correlations were found between most echocardiographic parameters and BW. Conclusion: The echocardiographic values obtained in the study may serve as a reference for future studies in this breed, for cardiovascular disease diagnosis and for utilizing the goat as a model for cardiac disorders in humans

Uterine Rupture and Fetal Maceration in an Indian Mongrel Bitch

Uterine rupture and fetal maceration in an 11 year old mongrel bitch was diagnosed via lateral abdominal radiography and ventral midline laparotomy. The treatment of choice in cases of uterine rupture and fetal maceration is bilateral ovariohysterectomy along with plenty of intravenous fluid therapy and broad spectrum antibiotics. Incidences of uterine rupture and fetal maceration can be prevented by timely recognition of early signs of obstetrical-related complications and use of proper obstetrical techniques

Vertebral scale system to measure heart size in thoracic radiographs of Indian Spitz, Labrador retriever and Mongrel dogs

Aim: To establish reference values of vertebral heart score (VHS) in Indian Spitz, Labrador retriever, and Mongrel dogs; to assess applicability of VHS in these three dog breeds; to determine if breed, recumbency side, gender, body weight, and thoracic depth (TD) to thoracic width (TW) ratio has an influence on the VHS measurement in these dog breeds. Materials and Methods: A total of 60, client owned, clinically healthy Indian Spitz (n=20, mean age = 4.25±2.15 years, body weight = 11.87±2.7 kg), Labrador retriever (n=20, mean age = 4.75±1.91 years, body weight = 27.31±5.43 kg), and Mongrel dogs (n=20, mean age = 4.25±1.52 years, body weight = 16.25±3.99 kg), having no radiological and clinical signs of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease were included in the study. All dogs were restrained manually and left lateral (LL) and right lateral (RL) radiographic views were obtained. The size of heart in lateral radiographs was calculated using VHS method. Besides, the TD, TW and TD: TW were calculated to determine the type of thoracic conformation in the dog breeds. In addition to this, the effect of breed, side of recumbency, gender, body weight, and TD to TW ratio on the calculation of VHS was determined. Results: VHS was calculated in all the animals of the breeds. VHS in Spitz and Labrador retriever was significantly (p9.7±0.5 v. RL and LL VHS in Mongrel dog was significantly (p9.7±0.5 v. Significant (p<0.05) differences in the VHS were observed among Spitz, Labrador retriever and Mongrel dogs, being higher for Labrador retriever followed by Spitz and Mongrel dogs. VHS in RL recumbency was significantly (p<0.001) greater than VHS in LL recumbency in all three breeds. LL and RL VHS correlated significantly with each other in Spitz (r=0.58; p=0.02), Labrador retriever (r=0.87; p<0.0001), and Mongrel dogs (r=0.93; p<0.0001). Significant (p<0.05) differences in the TD and TW were observed among Spitz, Labrador retriever, and Mongrel dogs. Non-significant effect of gender, body weight, and TD to TW ratio on the VHS measurement was observed in each dog breed. Conclusion: Breed-specific VHS reference ranges should be used for the objective measurement of heart size in dogs. Furthermore, the radiographic view should also be taken into consideration to avoid any erroneous interpretation of cardiac enlargement in dogs