Radiological examination of thorax in Awassi sheep

Medical imaging methods (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray, and ultrasound) are used to guide physicians when diagnosing diseases and planning their treatment. Thorax radiography is frequently preferred for the detection of diseases related to the respiratory system and the heart. When the thorax anatomy is known, this facilitates the detection of diseases in these regions. The vertebral heart score (VHS) is a parameter used for the detection of cardiac anomalies. In cases such as cardiomyopathy and chronic pneumonia, the heart silhouette changes and cardiac enlargement is ensued. Knowing the normal VHS parameter is important in the detection of anomalies. In the present study, 15 male and 30 female adult Awassi sheep were used. The thorax region was imaged with an X-ray device in the right lateral position. Each animal was measured for nine parameters in the region. In the measurements, the female and male VHS scores were found to be 9.77 ± 0.48 and 9.69 ± 0.52, respectively, using one method and 10.11 ± 1.64 and 9.96 ± 0.73, respectively, using the other method. No statistical difference was found between the two methods. The cardiodiaphragmatic contact parameter was observed to be statistically significant between males and females. No statistical difference was found in other parameters. Consequently, this study was carried out to determine the VHS values in Awassi sheep, and the thorax measurements were evaluated. This study is considered to contribute to veterinary surgeons and the field of veterinary surgery.