Relationship between ultrasonographic kidney bipolar length and body weight in normal Nigerian Indigenous Dogs

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasonographic kidney bipolar length is considered the most important kidney dimension which can be used in the diagnosis of kidney diseases. The aim was to determine healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs with normal kidneys, evaluate variation between right and left kidney bipolar length and correlate between ultrasonographic kidney bipolar length and body weight in normal Nigerian Indigenous Dogs. Methods: One hundred and fifteen (115) apparently healthy Nigerian Indigenous Dogs owned by local hunters and households residing in Zaria, the weight and age range between 8 to 30 kg and 1 to 4.5 years respectively. Only dogs with normal serum biochemistry values (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and total protein) were used for this study. Ultrasonographic kidney bipolar lengths were obtained on the sagittal plane by measuring the distance from the cranial to caudal poles of the kidneys. Results: Haematological profile and serum biochemistry of the dogs used were within normal limits and values. Left kidney bipolar length was statistically larger than the right kidney bipolar length. Correlation between ultrasonographic kidney bipolar length and body weight revealed a significant positive linear relationship as 0.33 and 0.50 in right and left kidneys respectively. Significance: The relationship between ultrasonographic kidney bipolar length and body weight can be a valuable parameter for the diagnosis of kidney disorders in Nigerian Indigenous Dogs.