[Echocardiographic measurements in clinically healthy ferrets without sedation]

Cardiac diseases, predominantly acquired diseases such as valvular insufficiency and cardiomyopathies, are a common problem in domestic ferrets. Aim of the present study was to establish body-weight related echocardiographic reference intervals for standard B- and M-mode parameters, especially of the left atrium, in clinically healthy ferrets without sedation.

Eighteen client-owned healthy, non-sedated ferrets underwent echocardiography in right lateral recumbency. Mean values were calculated from the evaluation of 3 cardiac cycles with good wall differentiation within 3 M-mode measurements in the right parasternal long axis view (level of the chordae tendinae, tip of the mitral valve and level of the aortic root and left atrium). Additionally, measurements of the left atrium (LA) and aorta (Ao) were performed in the short axis view at the level of the aorta and the LA/Ao ratio was calculated.

The 9 neutered male and 9 neutered female ferrets had a mean age of 2.6 ± 1.3 years and a mean body weight of 1.04 ± 0.31 kg. M-mode measurements of the left ventricle and the aortic root were possible in all animals. Body weight exerted a significant effect on the ventricular dimensions in diastole and systole as well as on the measurements of the left atrium and the aorta. In the B-mode evaluations, measurements of the aorta and the left atrium were frequently only performable on a static image. A significant effect of body weight on the dimensions of both aorta and left atrium were also apparent in the B-mode measurements. Calculated values such as fractional shorting and LA/Ao-ratio proved to be independent of body weight.

Standard B- and M- parameters may be used in routine examinations in order to evaluate cardiac morphology in the non-sedated ferret. Consideration of the body weight is warranted in this species.