Determination of abdominal aortic elasticity changes in naturally infected dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis

The aim of the study was to detect and assess early-stage hypertension in dogs with Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CanL), by determining the changes in elasticity occurring on the abdominal aorta, in addition to the use of oscillometric measurements. A total of 44 animals, consisting of 32 animals diagnosed with CanL and 12 healthy dogs, were evaluated. The diseased animals were categorized into four different groups based on the stages of CanL. The dogs with CanL and the healthy dogs were assessed using Doppler ultrasonography to determine the changes in abdominal aorta elasticity according to their respective stages. CanL -infected animals were identified in different stages, including Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III. It was found that there were no significant changes in the blood pressure values measured through oscillometric method based on the results of abdominal aorta elasticity. However, a significant decrease in abdominal aorta elasticity (p