Vertebral heart size and vertebral left atrial size reference intervals in 8 canine breeds.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) reference intervals in 8 dog breeds: Australian Cattle Dogs, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Dachshunds, Greyhounds, French Bulldogs, Norwich Terriers, and Brittany Spaniels.

METHODS

Dogs were included if they had 2- or 3-view thoracic radiographs performed and no cardiopulmonary or systemic disease. The same board-certified cardiologist performed the VHS and VLAS measurements in all dogs.

RESULTS

The reference interval for Australian Cattle Dogs was 9.1v to 11.2v for VHS and 1.7v to 2.4v for VLAS. The reference interval for Shih Tzus was 8.4v to 10.5v for VHS and 1.6v to 2.4v for VLAS. The reference interval for Maltese was 8.7v to 10.7v for VHS and 1.7v to 2.5v for VLAS. The reference interval for Dachshunds was 8.8v to 10.7v for VHS and 1.6v to 2.2v for VLAS. The reference interval for Greyhounds was 9.4v to 11.5v for VHS and 1.9v to 2.6v for VLAS. The reference interval for French Bulldogs was 9.9v to 13.0v for VHS and 1.7v to 2.6v for VLAS. The reference interval for Norwich Terriers was 9.6v to 11.7v for VHS and 1.7v to 2.3v for VLAS. The reference interval for Brittany Spaniels was 9.4v to 11.5v for VHS and 1.9v to 2.6v for VLAS.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigators report breed-specific VHS and VLAS reference intervals for 8 canine breeds.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should be aware of these results to accurately diagnose radiographic cardiomegaly in these breeds.