Prospective study and associated comorbidities in obese dogs admitted at the small animal medical clinic of FMVZ-UNESP, Botucatu

Abstract

Obesity is a common pathology in dogs. It has been associated with some comorbidities and reduction in quality of life, as well as with a reduced lifespan. This study aims to evaluate of a physical exam, measures from the body score by morphometric measurements, heart rate, laboratory abnormalities, comorbidities, nutritional profile, and physical activity level of obese dogs, evaluated in the routine of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science School- UNESP, Botucatu, SP. Will be studied dogs with apparent obesity, evaluated in the Unit between January 2014 and December 2014. Will be assessed: physical examination (systolic blood pressure and general physical examination); body weight; morphometric measures for graduation score (body mass index-BMI and body condition score-BCS); high-resolution electrocardiography to determine the heart rate; laboratory parameters (lipid profile - total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides; renal function - serum urea and creatinine; and liver profile - serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) enzymes). The underlying disease (the reason for seeking medical care), nutritional assessment, and the level and frequency of dog physical activity will be determined by the dog owner. (AU)