Journal of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics (한국임상수의학회)
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Radiographic Evaluation of Vertebral Heart Scale and Caudal Vena Cava Size Useful for Diagnosing Cardiac Diseases in Endangered Long-Tailed Goral (Naemorhedus caudatus)

  • Sangjin Ahn (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Woojin Shin (Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center) ;
  • Yujin Han (Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center) ;
  • Sohwon Bae (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Chea-Un Cho (Yanggu Long-Tailed Goral and Muskdeer Center) ;
  • Sooyoung Choi (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Jong-Taek Kim (College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
  • Received : 2022.12.12
  • Accepted : 2023.03.20
  • Published : 2023.04.30
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Abstract

Although various imaging evaluation methods have been developed and utilized, thoracic radiography remains essential and is the top priority for diagnosing and managing cardiac diseases. Thoracic radiographic measurements associated with the vertebral heart scale (VHS) and caudal vena cava (CVC) can objectively diagnose cardiac disease in many animals. In particular, VHS measurement is primarily used to evaluate the dimensions of the heart size on thoracic radiographs and can measure cardiomegaly more objectively. Additionally, the value of the CVC compared with the aorta (Ao) and the length of vertebrae (VL) can be used as valuable parameters in right congestive heart failure. To describe the CVC/Ao and CVC/VL ratios in 10 long-tailed gorals (Naemorhedus caudatus) without subjective radiographic evidence of cardiac diseases. The VHS, CVC, Ao, and VL of gorals were measured in the right lateral (RL) view of the thoracic radiographs. In the RL view of 10 gorals, the VHS was 9.31 ± 0.55 vertebrae (v), the CVC/Ao ratio was 0.84 ± 0.13, and the CVC/VL ratio was 0.67 ± 0.09. Additionally, the thoracic morphology of gorals was determined to be intermediate (thoracic depth-to-width ratio, 1.04 ± 0.09, 0.75-1.25). This study confirmed that VHS was significantly correlated with CVC and Ao, and measuring and comparing each value would help diagnose cardiac diseases in gorals. The radiographic measurements in this study will allow veterinarians to diagnose several cardiac diseases in gorals.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors express their deepest gratitude to the Yanggu Long-tailed goral and Muskdeer Center for their valuable support in the rescue of goral and medical assistance. This manuscript represents a portion of the Ph.D. thesis by Sangjin Ahn.

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