Ultrasonographic Assessment of Liver Size and its Association to Selected Morphometric Parameters of Domestic Dogs in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: The global unpopularity of linear ultrasonographic measurement, due to its inherent subjectivity, contrasts with the safety, portability, low cost, and real-time capabilities of this imaging modality. The increased availability of ultrasounds in veterinary practice in Ghana presents an opportunity to provide ultrasonographic liver size reference ranges to aid the diagnosis of hepatopathies in domestic dogs. Therefore, this study sought to establish ultrasonographic liver size reference ranges of dogs in Accra, Ghana. It also aimed to to investigate the correlation between liver size and selected morphometric parameters in these domestic dogs. Materials and methods: A total of 60 dogs from different domestic breeds, sexes (27 males and 33 females), age ranges (2.82 ± 2.12 years), weights (28.83 ±9.98kg), and body conformation were sampled. Purposive sampling of dogs was performed based on presenting history, clinical signs, physical exam, and blood analysis. Blood samples were collected for serum biochemistry to distinguish between those classified as healthy and those presenting with clinical illness. Additionally, all dogs were subjected to linear ultrasonographic liver size measurements in longitudinal and transverse planes. Results: The findings indicated a strong positive correlation of mean longitudinal sonographic liver measurement with body height, body girth (the widest point of the chest and the rib cage), the distance between the last rib and the tuber coxa, and the distance between the xiphoid and the tuber ischium. Equations were derived from the mean longitudinal sonographic measurement and these body parameters for deep and non-deep-chested breeds. This study helped to establish equations that can be used to estimate the longitudinal liver measurement. Conclusion: This information can be used in clinical settings to help veterinarians (even with basic knowledge of hepatic ultrasonography) to have a fair idea of hepatopathies relating to size.