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RADIOGRAPHIC LIVER SIZE IN PEKINGESE DOGS VERSUS OTHER DOG BREEDS
Author(s) -
Choi Jihye,
Keh Seoyeon,
Kim Hyunwook,
Kim Junyoung,
Yoon Junghee
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
veterinary radiology and ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.541
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1740-8261
pISSN - 1058-8183
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2012.01992.x
Subject(s) - medicine , breed , radiography , body weight , liver disease , gastroenterology , zoology , surgery , biology
Differential diagnoses for canine liver disease are commonly based on radiographic estimates of liver size, however little has been published on breed variations. Aims of this study were to describe normal radiographic liver size in P ekingese dogs and to compare normal measurements for this breed with other dog breeds and P ekingese dogs with liver disease. Liver measurements were compared for clinically normal P ekingese ( n = 61), normal non‐ P ekingese brachycephalic ( n = 45), normal nonbrachycephalic ( n = 71), and P ekingese breed dogs with liver disease ( n = 22). For each dog, body weight, liver length, T 11 vertebral length, thoracic depth, and thoracic width were measured on right lateral and ventrodorsal abdominal radiographs. Liver volume was calculated using a formula and ratios of liver length/ T 11 vertebral length and liver volume/body weight ratio were determined. Normal P ekingese dogs had a significantly smaller liver volume/body weight ratio (16.73 ± 5.67, P < 0.05) than normal non‐ P ekingese brachycephalic breed dogs (19.54 ± 5.03) and normal nonbrachycephalic breed dogs (18.72 ± 6.52). The liver length/ T 11 vertebral length ratio in normal P ekingese (4.64 ± 0.65) was significantly smaller than normal non‐ P ekingese brachycephalic breed dogs (5.16 ± 0.74) and normal nonbrachycephalic breed dogs (5.40 ± 0.74). Ratios of liver volume/body weight and liver length/ T 11 vertebral length in normal P ekingese were significantly different from P ekingese with liver diseases ( P < 0.05). Findings supported our hypothesis that P ekingese dogs have a smaller normal radiographic liver size than other breeds. We recommend using 4.64× the length of the T 11 vertebra as a radiographic criterion for normal liver length in P ekingese dogs.