ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC VARIABLES IN THE AFRICAN PAINTED DOG (LYCAON PICTUS)

The aim of this study was to screen for cardiac disease and report normal echocardiographic variables from a managed population of the African painted dog (Lycaon pictus; APD). The study included six male adult APDs under managed care with no evidence of significant structural cardiac disease. Echocardiography was performed with APD maintained under anesthesia with a combination of midazolam, butorphanol, and inhaled isoflurane. All animals underwent a full physical examination and two-dimensional (2D), M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography using standard views. Left ventricular volumes were calculated using the Simpson's method of discs. Medians with ranges were reported for the echocardiographic variables. No valvular structural abnormalities were noted. Trace mitral regurgitation was documented in five of six APD, trace tricuspid regurgitation in three of six, and mild pulmonic regurgitation in all APD. No aortic regurgitation was noted. Standard M-mode measurements fell within the normal ranges for allometrically scaled M-mode cardiac measurements for normal adult domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Two-dimensional measurements were comparable with that of domestic dogs with similar body weight. The study demonstrates a similarity in cardiac size and function compared with normal adult domestic dogs and provides baseline echocardiographic variables for investigation of cardiac health in other populations of APDs in the future.