title: Radiographic measurement of cardiac size in normal ferrets.
abstract: Right lateral, left lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were obtained in 20 normal ferrets (11 male). Three independent observers recorded measurements of the cardiac silhouette and results for each parameter were averaged. Long axis (length), short axis (width) and total of length plus width (L+W) were recorded in each view. Comparative measurements were calculated, including the ratio of L+W/length of thoracic vertebrae 5-8, and a modified vertebral heart score (VHS) method, measuring the heart in vertebral units. Measurements made in ventrodorsal views were usually larger than corresponding measurements in lateral views. Weight and most absolute measurements differed significantly between male and female ferret (P<0.05), but the differences in absolute measurements were not apparent when related to measures of body size (Ratio and modified VHS methods). Given the variability in body weight and size in ferrets, measurements of the cardiac silhouette normalized for body size may be more universally applicable than absolute measurements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison 53706, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stepien
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Forrest
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging