Radiographic Measurement of Cardiac Size in 64 Ferrets

Abstract

ABSTRACT. As ferrets can suffer from a wide variety of cardiac disorders, indicators for detecting cardiac abnormalities on plain chest radiography are necessary. A total of 64 ferrets without heart disease underwent radiography in the right lateral (RL) and ventrodorsal positions (VD), and the lengths of the RL-sixth dorsal vertebra (6th DV), RL-and VD-long axis (LA) and RL-and VD-short axis (SA), RLand VD-vertebral heart size, VD-length of the eighth costa (LEC) and VD-thoracic width at the eighth thoracic vertebra (8th TV) were measured to establish standard values of normal cardiac appearance. We evaluated statistical differences between genders and ferrets weighing < 1 kg and ≥ 1 kg for a total of 38 items. As a result, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in all items, including some differences that have been reported previously. In particular, the present study established highly accurate standard values for weight differences. Standard values calculated based on the 6th DV and a relational expression obtained by the regression coefficient of the ratio of VD-SA to VD-8th TV, VD-8th TV=2.887 + (0.769 × VD-SA), were considered useful for evaluating normal cardiac morphology in ferrets.

Thoracic and heart biometrics of non-anesthetized agouti (Dasyprocta primnolopha Wagler, 1831) measured on radiographic images

“…This value was also lower than the VHS measured for the tamarin (9.42±0.44v) (Wagner & Kirberger 2005), porcupine (Black et al 2011) and bat (9.7±0.5v) (Gardner et al, 2007), but greater than that observed in ferrets (5.39±0.45 -LL projection) (Onuma et al 2009). The AB/H and CD/H ratios were studied in bats (Gardner 2007) and the AB/CD ratio in the porcupine (Black et al 2011).…”

“…Investigation by image is widely used in cardiologic assessments in veterinary medicine (Ware 2007). However, reference values have not yet been fully established for most wild species, and there is little information in the literature to support standardization of access techniques to the heart function and suggest alterations in this organ for these animals (Stepien et al 1999, Gardner 2007, Estrada et al 2009, Onuma 2009, Black 2011.…”

Electrocardiogram assessment in non-anaesthetized clinically healthy agouti (Dasyprocta primnolopha, Wagler 1831)

“…However, reference values have not yet been fully established for most wild species, and there is little information in the literature that would sustain the standardization of access techniques to the heart function and suggest alterations in this organ for these animals (Stepien 1999, Gardner et al 2007, Estrada et al 2009, Onuma et al 2009, Black et al 2011.…”

Establishment of Vertebral Heart Scale in the Growth Period of the Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

“…Less research into VHS has been performed for cats than for dogs, although studies comparing kittens and adult cats have been reported [1,6]. Except dog and cat, a similar standardize study has been reported for ferrets (mean, 5.27v) [8]. However, no studies have examined monkey VHS other than in the common marmoset (mean  SD: 9.42  0.44) [10].…”