Norwich terriers possess a greater vertebral heart scale than the canine reference value. Issue 1 (1st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Colin J.; Simon, Bradley T.; Stanley, Bryden J.; Lai, Grace P.; Thieman Mankin, Kelley M.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary radiology & ultrasound. Volume 61:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2019-10-01
• Subjects: breed‐specific heart scale -- Norwich terrier -- vertebral heart scale -- vertebral heart score -- vertebral heart size; Veterinary radiology -- Periodicals; Radiologie vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Échographie vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Radiography -- Periodicals; Ultrasonography -- Periodicals; Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1111/vru.12813
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-8183

Abstract

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated evidence that normal reference ranges for radiographic vertebral heart scale values can vary among dog breeds. The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to determine whether the normal vertebral heart scale values published by Buchanan and Bücheler for lateral radiographs are applicable to the Norwich terrier. Secondary objectives were to determine if clinical signs of respiratory disease, age, sex, weight, body condition score, recumbency, or thoracic depth‐to‐width ratio had any influence on vertebral heart scale measurements in this breed. The electronic medical record systems of two universities were reviewed and Norwich terriers were included in the study if they had orthogonal thoracic radiographs performed and no historical or radiographic evidence of cardiopulmonary disease. A vertebral heart scale was calculated for each patient. Sixty‐one client‐owned, Norwich terrier dogs with no clinical signs of cardiovascular disease were evaluated. The vertebral heart scale for Norwich terriers without evidence of cardiac disease (10.6 ± 0.6) was found to be significantly greater than the canine reference value of 9.7 ± 0.5 initially established by Buchanan and Bücheler. No significant correlation was found between clinical signs of respiratory disease, sex, age, thoracic depth‐to‐width ratio or lateral recumbency, and vertebral heart scale. Norwich terriers with a body condition score ≥6 had a significantly higher vertebral heart scale than those with a body condition score ≤5. Breed‐specific ranges and body condition scores need to be considered when interpreting vertebral heart scale values for Norwich terriers.