Ejection Fraction and Fractional Shortening Echocardiographic Value of Belgian Malinois Dogs in National Anti Narcotics Agency

Abstract

Working dogs at the National Anti Narcotics Agency (BNN) undergo routine training programs that require high levels of physical activity. The physical activities performed can affect the cardiac morphology of the dogs. Assessment of cardiac parameters such as ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS), could determine myocardial thickness and systolic function. This study aims to assess the echocardiographic parameters of EF and FS in Belgian Malinois dogs at the BNN. The EF and FS parameters are needed to evaluate the influence of physical activity in cardiac morphology. The study sample consisted of 21 Belgian Malinois dogs aged 3 to 4 years, 13 dogs were actively trained, while 8 dogs were not actively trained. Echocardiographic examinations were performed in the right parasternal short axis view using the Acclarix AX3 ultrasound system with a microconvex probe at frequency 2.5-6 MHz. The type of echocardiography imaging used to obtain EF and FS is Motion (M-) mode with the Cube method interpretation method. The results showed that the average EF and FS values in both groups of dogs were within the normal range (55-85% for EF and 25-45% for FS). Based on this study Belgian Malinois dogs at BNN do not have a predisposition to develop cardiomyopathy.