<div>Radiographic evaluation plays a crucial role in the prediction and diagnosis of cardiac disease. Vertebral heart score (VHS) and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) provide an objective measure to evaluate cardiac size. The aim of the present study was to establish the normal reference values of VHS and CTR in 25 clinically normal Zaraibi goats with homogenous age and body weight. Complete clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and radiographic examinations were included. The VHS and CTR were calculated from right lateral inspiratory radiographs. The VHS ranged from 7.3 to 8.8 (mean&plusmn;SD 8.0&plusmn;0.4) vertebrae and the CTR ranged from 17.1 to 24.6 (mean&plusmn;SD 20.1&plusmn;2.2)%. Significant weak correlation was recorded between VHS and CTR. Vertebral heart score and cardiothoracic ratio are clinically useful tool to evaluate cardiac size in Zaraibi goats.</div>


<div>Objective radiographic evaluation of cardiac size in clinically normal Zaraibi goats</div>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>The objective of the present study was to define existence of age and body weight related cardiac structural and functional changes in both healthy GSD as well as those having structural or functional cardiac affections. Thus the present study was conducted to establish the reference values of various parameters of ECG based on age and body weight and further evaluation of clinical cases based on these reference values.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The present study was conducted on eight apparently healthy German shepherd dogs aged 36-72 months with body weight 22-33.2 kg free from cardio-thoracic diseases to establish the reference values of various electrocardiographic parameters (Group-I) and used to evaluate the cardiac rhythm in 3 GSD dogs having some cardiac diseases (Group-II) based on the reference values obtained from Group-I.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Heart rate showed negative correlation with age and body weight. Positive correlation of amplitude of S and T wave, QRS complex, duration of T wave, P-R interval and R-R interval with age and body weight; amplitude of Q wave, duration of P wave and Q-T interval with body weight was observed. Negative correlation of amplitude of P and R wave, S-T interval with age and body weight; amplitude of Q wave, duration of P wave and Q-T interval with age was observed.</div>


<p>Electrocardiographic Evaluation of Cardiac Rhythm: A Comparative Study of Apparently Healthy German Shepherd Dogs Versus Dogs with Cardiac Affections</p>
