Approfondimenti diagnostici in 33 cani boxer adulti apparentemente privi di alterazioni cardiache

A thorough cardiac investigation was carried out in 33 adult boxer dogs without overt cardiovascular disorders. After physical examination, routine 10-lead and 24 h-ambulatory electrocardiographic examination, survey thoracic radiography with calculation of the vertebral heart score (VHS), and echocardiographic (2-dimensional real time, M-mode and Doppler) examination were performed. Only 14/33 boxers (42,4%) were considered free of any cardiovascular disease. Different cardiovascular disorders, including atrial septal defect, quadricuspid aorta, mild subaortic or pulmonic stenosis, persistent left cranial vena cava, mild mitral and/or tricuspid regurgitation and heart base tumour were diagnosed in the remaining 19 dogs. The VHS (mean ± SD) in the 14 boxers free of cardiovascular disorders was 11,0 ± 0,4