Vertebral heart score to evaluate cardiac size in thoracic radiographs of 124 healthy rats ( <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> )

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a relatively common disease in pet rats (Rattus norvegicus); however, there lack of radiographic references for the normal cardiac size this species. The aim prospective, anatomical and reference interval study was to establish quantitative range measurements vertebral heart score (VHS) rats. Right lateral (RL), ventrodorsal (VD), dorsoventral (DV) radiographs clinically healthy (n = 124) were evaluated. Measurements performed by 2 expert readers who unaware signalment data. mean values intervals VHS 7.7 7.0–8.5 RL, 7.5 6.6–8.6 VD, 7.9 6.9–9.0 DV, with greater males than females. reported can be used clinician as an objective tool evaluate rats, order improve diagnosis treatment diseases.