VETERINARY CARDIOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY

Abstract

 This paper set itself the task of investigating the way in which cardiovascular physiology varies across species, as well as understanding how some of the more common veterinary species (primarily dogs, cats, horses, cows, birds, and marine mammals) respond physiologically to their environments.  We collected quantitative data by using a mixed-method experimental study design, echocardiography, electrocardiography, haemodynamic and biomarker measurements. Qualitative clinical observations were also done seeing how the various species responded and what their morphological characteristics were.  ANOVA, Pearson, and multivariate regressions, a statistical analysis, revealed large variance in the cardiac output, shape of the ventricles, conduction intervals and prevalence of valvular illness among the people.  Equines were the specific animals with the highest cardiac output, birds had faster hearts and an enhanced oxygenation during cases of insufficient oxygen availability and marine mammals had an increased ratio of ventricular mass that allowed them to dive.  These discrepancies were supported by graphical and tabular data that established the correlations between the functional performance and structural changes.  Using both qualitative and quantitative data, we were in a position to see a complete picture of cardiovascular health of both species.  The findings indicate that veterinary cardiology should have particular diagnostic reference values and that comparative physiology can be useful in clinical decision-making, preventive care strategies and assessing athletic performance.