Evaluation of body mass index and plasma lipid profile in dogs

Abstract

This study evaluated the body mass index (BMI), plasma lipid profile and gait assessment score (GAS) in dogs. Body weights (BW), height (H) at shoulder and waist circumference (WC) were obtained from fifty client-owned dogs of both sexes to determine the BMI. In addition, body condition score (BCS) and GAS were determined subjectively. About 5mls of blood was also obtained from the cephalic vein of the dogs for determination of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TRIG), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Data were presented as means ± standard deviation (SD) and results were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). P value was accepted to be significant at values less or equal to 0.05. The dogs comprised of twenty five (25) males and twenty five (25) females. Breed distribution showed that they were made of Boerboel (20), Rottweiler (20) and Alsatian (10). Mean age of the dogs were 24.6 ± 12.8 months, 27.6 ± 13.4 months, and 37.8 ± 20.4 months for Boerboel, Rottweiler and Alsatian respectively. The body weight, WC and BMI were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in Boerboel and Rottweiler than the Alsatian. However, TC was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in the Alsatian and Rottweiler than the Boerboel. The GAS was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in dogs whose mean BCS was greater than 5 compared with those with BCS less than 5. It was thus concluded that BMI differs with breed of dogs and that dogs with high BCS may be at increased risk of developing OA.

Keywords: Body mass index, Dogs . Lipid profile, Obesity, Osteoarthritis