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Background: Transthoracic echocardiography represents the main noninvasive technique for evaluating cardiac morphology and function in dogs. In dogs with particular somatotypes, such as brachymorphic dogs, breed-specific echocardiographic values are needed for a proper echocardiographic interpretation. Nowadays, the Pug represents one of the most popular brachymorphic canine breeds worldwide. However, data on echocardiographic measurements in this breed are currently limited. Aim: We aimed to determine echocardiographic values in a population of apparently healthy Pugs, and to assess the possible effects of body weight, age, and sex on selected echocardiographic variables, with particular emphasis on those related to the left-sided cardiac chambers. Methods: Apparently healthy Pugs underwent a full physical examination, a one-minute six-lead electrocardiogram, and a complete transthoracic echocardiography. Twenty-four echocardiographic variables were measured combining M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler modalities, and relative values were determined by applying the statistical procedures recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Moreover, the effect of selected demographic variables on echocardiographic measurements were tested using a linear mixed model. Results: The investigation included 86 Pugs. Echocardiographic values were provided for each variable and compared with previous veterinary literature. A statistically significant effect of body weight (e.g., end-systolic left ventricular diameter and absolute left atrial diameter), age, and sex was documented for several of the tested variables. Doppler examination demonstrated a trivial pulmonary regurgitation in 24/86 (27.9%) Pugs. Moreover, a persistent left cranial vena cava was suspected in 4/86 (4.7%) dogs. Conclusion: Echocardiographic features of the Pug were addressed and echocardiographic values made available for clinical use. Because our findings were obtained using a standardized echocardiographic analysis in a population of 86 healthy Pugs, they may act as a reliable guide for an accurate echocardiographic interpretation in this breed. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(8.000): 965-976]

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography represents the main noninvasive technique for evaluating cardiac morphology and function in dogs. In dogs with particular somatotypes, such as brachymorphic dogs, breed-specific echocardiographic values are needed for a proper echocardiographic interpretation. Nowadays, the Pug represents one of the most popular brachymorphic canine breeds worldwide. However, data on echocardiographic measurements in this breed are currently limited. Aim: We aimed to determine echocardiographic values in a population of apparently healthy Pugs, and to assess the possible effects of body weight (BW), age, and sex on selected echocardiographic variables, with particular emphasis on those related to the left-sided cardiac chambers. Methods: Apparently healthy Pugs underwent a full physical examination, a 1-minute six-lead electrocardiogram, and a complete transthoracic echocardiography. Twenty-four echocardiographic variables were measured by combining M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler modalities, and relative values were determined by applying the statistical procedures recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Moreover, the effect of selected demographic variables on echocardiographic measurements was tested using a linear mixed model. Results: The investigation included 86 Pugs. Echocardiographic values were provided for each variable and compared with previous veterinary literature. A statistically significant effect of BW, age, and sex was documented for several of the tested variables. Doppler examination demonstrated a trivial pulmonary regurgitation in 24/86 (27.9%) Pugs. Moreover, a persistent left cranial vena cava was suspected in 4/86 (4.7%) dogs. Conclusion: Echocardiographic features of the Pug were addressed and echocardiographic values were made available for clinical use. Because our findings were obtained using a standardized echocardiographic analysis in a population of 86 healthy Pugs, they may act as a reliable guide for an accurate echocardiographic interpretation in this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether a brachymorphic conformation may lead to electrocardiographic peculiarities diverging from generic reference intervals (RIs) cited in textbooks remains to be established. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating electrocardiographic variables in one of the most common brachymorphic breed, namely the French Bulldog (FB). Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify healthy FBs ≥1-year-old that underwent an electrocardiogram. The Mann–Whitney U test or the Student's t-test was used to compare continuous variables among male and female dogs, while the χ2 test was used for categorical variables. Spearman's correlation coefficients between electrocardiographic measurements and age and body weight were also calculated. Moreover, electrocardiographic RIs were determined. Eighty healthy FBs were enrolled; their electrocardiographic variables fitted with generic RIs, with the exception of the QRS-complex mean electrical axis (QRS-MEA). The median QRS-MEA value was 43.5° (from −18° to +90°). A QRS-MEA shift was found in 24/80 (30%) dogs; in all cases, it was a left shift (median 26°, from −18° to +39°). Specifically, 20 dogs showed a slight left shift (from +39° to +14°), while four dogs showed a marked one (from +9° to −18°). No meaningful differences were found when comparing electrocardiographic variables between males and females. No significant correlations between electrocardiographic variables and age or body weight were found, with the exceptions of the P-wave amplitude, PQ-interval duration and QT-interval duration. Healthy FBs can present a left shift of QRS-MEA. These data should be considered when interpreting FBs' electrocardiograms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]