Introduction

Breed-wise standard echocardiographic values in dogs have been reported as variable due to body and chest conformation, limiting between-breed data application.

Objectives

This study aimed to obtain standard echocardiographic measurements from English Bulldogs and evaluate the effect of body weight, age and gender on these parameters.

Methods

Eighteen healthy dogs (6 males/12 females) were recruited for a prospective observational cross-sectional study. Interventricular septal thickness at diastole and systole (IVSd, IVSs), left-ventricular internal dimension at diastole and systole (LVIDd, LVIDs), and left-ventricular free wall thickness at diastole and systole (LVPWd, LVPWs) were measured, and fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated. Left atrium (LA) and aortic root (AO) diameters and ratio (LA/AO), aortic and pulmonary flow velocities (AV, PV), mitral E and A wave and ratio (E/A), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were also acquired. Statistical analyses were undertaken to investigate differences between males and females concerning body weight, age, and each echocardiographic parameter, as well as to investigate correlations between these parameters and the echo data.

Results

Body weight was statistically different between males and females, but age was considered similar. Also, all echocardiographic parameters were similar between males and females. Table 1 brings the descriptive statistics for the echocardiographic data. A significant correlation was found between body weight and LVIDd, LVPWs and E/A; and between age and IVSd, IVSs, LVPWd, LVPWs and IVRT.

Conclusions

These results may be used as breed-specific reference values, which seem different from the ordinary reference range reported for other breeds.