title: Breed-Specific Vertebral Heart Scale for the Dachshund.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine a breed-specific vertebral heart scale (VHS) range for the dachshund and compare results to the established reference range of 9.7 ± 0.5, calculate inter-observer variability, and correlate VHS with echocardiography. Fifty-one normal dachshunds had radiographs and an echocardiogram performed. Five observers measured VHS to the nearest 0.25 vertebra. The data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, Mann-Whitney rank sum test, calculation of reference and confidence intervals, Spearman rank-order correlations, and generation of intra-class correlations and confidence intervals. P < .05 was considered significant. The median for right lateral VHS was significantly larger than left (10.3 [range 9.25-11.55] versus 10.1 [range, 8.7-11.31], p < .0001). VHS for females was significantly larger than for males (left: 10.56 [9.2-11.31] versus 9.74 [8.7-10.88] and right: 10.8 [9.5-11.55] versus 9.99 [9.25-10.8], p = .0002). Observer consistency was high with an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.95. No significant correlation was found between left atrial echocardiographic parameters and VHS. Results indicate normal dachshunds have a median VHS above the published generic canine reference range, and VHS can be reliably performed by observers with varying degrees of clinical experience.
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birks
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Stacey B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Clay
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Bryan D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Eason
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Britt
authors.affiliation: From the University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Lamb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary*; D012016:Reference Values; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging