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Merck Manual
Veterinary Manual
The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955

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VETERINARY PET
Vertebral heart score (VHS), normal dog
vertebral-heart-score-vhs-normal-dog-kittleson-sized
Vertebral heart score (VHS), normal dog

    This radiograph of a normal dog shows the length (red lines) of the heart to be 5.5 vertebrae and the width (blue lines) 4.5 vertebrae. The VHS is therefore 10 vertebrae (V).

Courtesy of Dr. Mark D. Kittleson.

In these topics
Diagnosis of Heart Disease in Animals

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.  The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community.  The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Veterinary Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Vet Manual outside of North America.

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