Evaluation of electrocardiographic parameters, thoracic morphometry and vertebral heart size in clinically normal dogs

Background: The Vertebral Heart Size (VHS) method sets standards for the evaluation of dogs heart size from the comparison of the cardiac dimension with the length of the thoracic vertebrae through radiographic study. Electrocardiogram(ECG) is widely used in veterinary medicine for the evaluation of electrical conduction system of the heart; however, theincrease of duration and amplitude of the ECG waves can suggest the increase of cardiac chambers in dogs. The scientificliterature presents electrocardiographic and VHS values for dogs of different breeds and sizes; however, there is little information on the correlation of these parameters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the amplitude and durationof ECG waves, thoracic morphometry and VHS values, in order to correlate these parameters in clinically normal dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty healthy dogs (11 females and 9 males), without breed distinction, medium sized(14.46 ± 2.92 kg) and aged between 1 and 8 years, were evaluated through physical examination, digital ECG (frontaland precordial leads) and thorax X-ray in right lateral (RL), left lateral (LL) and ventrodorsal (VD) projections. Thoracicmorphometry and VHS measurements were determined as previously described. Clinical and ECG parameters were compatible with the references in all dogs evaluated. Dogs presented thorax intermediate (75%) with the depth and width ratio(D/W ratio) > 1.0. Some individual VHS values were higher than the references and the mean VHS values in VD projectionwas higher than in RL and LL projections (n = 20; P < 0.05). Female and male dogs did not differ among the evaluatedparameters. A positive correlation was observed between thoracic morphometry and body weight (r ≥ +0.70; P < 0.001)and a negative correlation was found between the D/W ratio and VD VHS (r = -0.62; P < 0.05). No significant correlationswere observed between the age, ECG parameters, thoracic morphometry and...(AU)

Evaluation of coagulation parameters in dogs with overweight or obesity

Background: Hemostatic alterations have already been well characterized in humans with body fat excess, being includedin the list of obesity related comorbidities. Overweight and obesity are common in dogs; however, there is little informationabout the blood coagulation parameters in dogs with these conditions. The aim of this study was to compare hematologicaland coagulation parameters between lean dogs and overweight or obese dogs, including platelets count; prothrombin time(PT); activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), coagulation time (CT) and plasma fibrinogen concentration.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 22 dogs (aged 1 to 10 years, neutered) were evaluated, 10 of them presentedideal body condition score (BCS 4-5) and formed the group 1 (control) and 12 were overweight or obese (BCS 7-9) andformed the group 2. The dogs were submitted to clinical evaluation and then to blood collection for the following laboratorytests: blood count (performed on automatic analyzer), quantification...

Evaluation of electrocardiographic parameters, thoracic morphometry and vertebral heart size in clinically normal dogs

Background: The Vertebral Heart Size (VHS) method sets standards for the evaluation of dog’s heart size from the comparison of the cardiac dimension with the length of the thoracic vertebrae through radiographic study. Electrocardiogram(ECG) is widely used in veterinary medicine for the evaluation of electrical conduction system of the heart; however, theincrease of duration and amplitude of the ECG waves can suggest the increase of cardiac chambers in dogs. The scientificliterature presents electrocardiographic and VHS values for dogs of different breeds and sizes; however, there is little information on the correlation of these parameters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the amplitude and durationof ECG waves, thoracic morphometry and VHS values, in order to correlate these parameters in clinically normal dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty healthy dogs (11 females and 9 males), without breed distinction, medium sized(14.46 ± 2.92 kg) and aged between 1 and 8 years, were evaluated through physical examination, digital ECG (frontaland precordial leads) and thorax X-ray in right lateral (RL), left lateral (LL) and ventrodorsal (VD) projections. Thoracicmorphometry and VHS measurements were determined as previously described. Clinical and ECG parameters were compatible with the references in all dogs evaluated. Dogs presented thorax intermediate (75%) with the depth and width ratio(D/W ratio) > 1.0. Some individual VHS values were higher than the references and the mean VHS values in VD projectionwas higher than in RL and LL projections (n = 20; P < 0.05). Female and male dogs did not differ among the evaluatedparameters. A positive correlation was observed between thoracic morphometry and body weight (r ≥ +0.70; P < 0.001)and a negative correlation was found between the D/W ratio and VD VHS (r = -0.62; P < 0.05). No significant correlationswere observed between the age, ECG parameters, thoracic morphometry and...

Evaluation of coagulation parameters in dogs with overweight or obesity

Background: Hemostatic alterations have already been well characterized in humans with body fat excess, being includedin the list of obesity related comorbidities. Overweight and obesity are common in dogs; however, there is little informationabout the blood coagulation parameters in dogs with these conditions. The aim of this study was to compare hematologicaland coagulation parameters between lean dogs and overweight or obese dogs, including platelets count; prothrombin time(PT); activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), coagulation time (CT) and plasma fibrinogen concentration.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 22 dogs (aged 1 to 10 years, neutered) were evaluated, 10 of them presentedideal body condition score (BCS 4-5) and formed the group 1 (control) and 12 were overweight or obese (BCS 7-9) andformed the group 2. The dogs were submitted to clinical evaluation and then to blood collection for the following laboratorytests: blood count (performed on automatic analyzer), quantification...(AU)

Linfangiectasia intestinal em cão - relato de caso / Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a dog - case report / Linfangiectasia intestinal en perro - relato de caso

Linfangiectasia é um distúrbio obstrutivo do sistema linfático que, no caso do sistema gastrintestinal, pode resultar em enteropatia com perda de proteína, o que pode levar a edema, ascite ou efusão pleural. Pode ser um distúrbio primário ou congênito, secundário ou adquirido. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de um macho da espécie canina, yorkshire terrier, de sete anos de idade, com histórico de diarreia havia trinta dias e ascite. Os exames laboratoriais apontaram hipoproteinemia e hipoalbuminemia. O diagnóstico definitivo foi obtido por meio de biópsia, realizada por endoscopia. Depois de sete dias de tratamento, o tutor referiu melhora significativa do quadro. Depois do tratamento, o animal permaneceu apenas com dieta com restrição de gordura e ausência de sinais clínicos.(AU)

Lymphangiectasia is an obstructive disorder of the lymphatic system. In the gastrointestinal system, it may result in protein loss and enteropathy, which can lead to edema, ascites or pleural effusion. It can be either a primary (congenital) or secondary(acquired) disorder. The goal of this study is to report the case of a seven-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier that had a 30-day history of diarrhea and ascites. Laboratory tests disclosed hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Definitive diagnosis was achieved through endoscopic biopsy. The tutor reported significant improvement seven days after treatment onset. The animal was kept on a diet with fat restriction and remained free of clinical signs post-treatment.(AU)

La linfangiectasia es una alteración obstructiva del sistema linfático, que cuando afecta al sistema gastrointestinal, puede llevar a una enteropatía con pérdida de proteínas, o a cuadros de edema, ascitis o efusión pleural. Puede ser una alteración primaria o congénita, secundaria o adquirida. El objetivo de este trabajo es relatar el caso de un perro Yorkshire terrier de siete años, con un histórico de diarrea de treinta días y ascitis. Los exámenes laboratoriales mostraron una hipoproteinemia con hipoalbuminemia. El diagnóstico definitivo se obtuvo mediante una biopsia que fue realizada por endoscopia. Después de siete días de tratamiento, el tutor relató una mejoría significativa del cuadro. Después del tratamiento, el animal permaneció sólo con una dieta restricta en grasa, sin que se repitieran los signos clínicos.(AU)

Linfangiectasia intestinal em cão - relato de caso / Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a dog - case report / Linfangiectasia intestinal en perro - relato de caso

Linfangiectasia é um distúrbio obstrutivo do sistema linfático que, no caso do sistema gastrintestinal, pode resultar em enteropatia com perda de proteína, o que pode levar a edema, ascite ou efusão pleural. Pode ser um distúrbio primário ou congênito, secundário ou adquirido. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de um macho da espécie canina, yorkshire terrier, de sete anos de idade, com histórico de diarreia havia trinta dias e ascite. Os exames laboratoriais apontaram hipoproteinemia e hipoalbuminemia. O diagnóstico definitivo foi obtido por meio de biópsia, realizada por endoscopia. Depois de sete dias de tratamento, o tutor referiu melhora significativa do quadro. Depois do tratamento, o animal permaneceu apenas com dieta com restrição de gordura e ausência de sinais clínicos.

Lymphangiectasia is an obstructive disorder of the lymphatic system. In the gastrointestinal system, it may result in protein loss and enteropathy, which can lead to edema, ascites or pleural effusion. It can be either a primary (congenital) or secondary(acquired) disorder. The goal of this study is to report the case of a seven-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier that had a 30-day history of diarrhea and ascites. Laboratory tests disclosed hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Definitive diagnosis was achieved through endoscopic biopsy. The tutor reported significant improvement seven days after treatment onset. The animal was kept on a diet with fat restriction and remained free of clinical signs post-treatment.

La linfangiectasia es una alteración obstructiva del sistema linfático, que cuando afecta al sistema gastrointestinal, puede llevar a una enteropatía con pérdida de proteínas, o a cuadros de edema, ascitis o efusión pleural. Puede ser una alteración primaria o congénita, secundaria o adquirida. El objetivo de este trabajo es relatar el caso de un perro Yorkshire terrier de siete años, con un histórico de diarrea de treinta días y ascitis. Los exámenes laboratoriales mostraron una hipoproteinemia con hipoalbuminemia. El diagnóstico definitivo se obtuvo mediante una biopsia que fue realizada por endoscopia. Después de siete días de tratamiento, el tutor relató una mejoría significativa del cuadro. Después del tratamiento, el animal permaneció sólo con una dieta restricta en grasa, sin que se repitieran los signos clínicos.