Understanding ultrasonographic renal length-to-aorta ratio in Sighthounds: A breed specific study in Chippiparai dogs

Ultrasonographic renal length-to-aorta ratio is an ideal reflection of renal health in dogs. Earlier studies have highlighted the need for breed-specific reference intervals for this parameter. The aim of this study was to establish a breed-specific reference interval of kidney length to aorta ratio (KL:Ao) in Chippiparai dogs, a breed of Indian sighthounds. The KL:Ao ratio was recorded in 45 Chippiparai dogs, classified into 3 age groups. A narrow breed specific range of 7.07 to 7.74 was arrived at for adult Chippiparai dogs, and a strong relationship between age and body weight and KL:Ao was observed using regression analysis. These findings can be extrapolated and utilized by other sighthounds.