J Vet Sci.  2021 Sep;22(5):e60. 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e60.

Echocardiographic parameters and indices in 23 healthy Maltese dogs

• Tsai CH
• Huang CC
• Ho CC
• Claretti M

• KMID: 2520771
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e60

Abstract

Background
Echocardiography is a primary tool used by veterinarians to evaluate heart diseases. In recent years, various studies have targeted standard echocardiographic values for different breeds. Reference data are currently lacking in Maltese dogs and it is important to fill this gap as this breed is predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, which is a volume overload disease.
Objectives
To establish the normal echocardiographic parameters for Maltese dogs.
Methods
In total, 23 healthy Maltese dogs were involved in this study. Blood pressure measurements, thoracic radiography, and complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed. The effects of body weight, age and sex were evaluated, and the correlations between weight and linear and volumetric dimensions were calculated by regression analysis.
Results
The mean vertebral heart size was 9.1 ± 0.4. Aside from the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and the left atrial to aorta root ratio, all the other echocardiographic parameters were significantly correlated with weight.
Conclusion
This study describes normal echocardiographic parameters that may be useful in the echocardiographic evaluation of Maltese dogs.

Keyword

Maltese dog; Echocardiography; Cardiovascular; Ultrasound; Canine