title: Echocardiographic reference ranges for sedentary donkeys in the UK.
abstract: The aim of this study was to provide two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode echocardiographic reference ranges from a sample of the UK population of donkeys including geriatrics (>30 years), owned by The Donkey Sanctuary, and to assess the influence of gender, weight and age on these variables. A total of 36 donkeys with no clinical or echocardiographic evidence of cardiovascular disease were examined; 24 geldings and 12 females, aged 3-45 years old, weighing 130-262 kg. Left atrial to aortic ratio was larger in geldings (P=0.004). There was no significant difference for left ventricular M-mode diastolic diameter between females and geldings (P=0.121) after exclusion of one heavy female outlier. 2D measurements significantly increased with bodyweight including maximal left atrial diameter (R(2)=0.112; P=0.046), aortic diameter at various levels (e.g. annulus: R(2)=0.35; P<0.001) and the pulmonary artery diameter (R(2)=0.124; P=0.035). M-mode measurements were not significantly influenced by weight other than the left ventricular free wall in systole (R(2)=0.118; P=0.041). Age and heart rate did not have any significant effect on echocardiographic variables. This is the first UK study to report on echocardiographic reference ranges of sedentary donkeys across a wide age range and shows differences compared with reference ranges from working donkeys.
authors.affiliation: SLR Cardiology Referrals, Plumpton Farm, Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 8QU, UK.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dukes-McEwan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D018397:Equidae; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Cardiology; Donkeys; Echocardiography; Ultrasonography