1Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
2Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt.
3Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Menoufia University, Sadat City 32897, Egypt.
To study ultrasonograhic appearance and dimensions of the heart 13 adult, non-pregnant normal buffaloes (3–7 years, 419.6 ± 24.9 kg) were examined (in standing position) at 3–6 intercostal space on both sides of the thorax using 3.5-MHz convex transducer. All chambers of the heart were clearly visualized in the caudal long axis view from both sides. Right and left ventricles were visualized in the caudal short axis view of the right side. On the left side, right and left ventricles and ventricular outflow could be imaged; however, the pulmonary artery was poorly visualized. During systole and diastole, dimensions of the left ventricle were greater than those of right ventricle, whereas size of the ventricles was significantly greater during diastole than systole (P<0.01). The dimensions of the interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall were greater in systole than diastole (P<0.01, 0.001, respectively). Diameter of the pulmonary artery was greater in diastole than systole (P<0.01). Thus ultrasonography is a useful non-invasive technique that could provide accurate reference values for cardiac dimensions in buffaloes.
Buffaloes, echocardiography, heart dimensions
