Comparison of growth patterns in healthy dogs and dogs in abnormal body condition using growth standards

Abstract

In dogs, optimal growth is critical for future health and wellbeing. Recently, a series of evidence-based growth standards, based on bodyweight, were developed for male and female dogs across 5 different size categories. The aim of the current study was to compare growth curves depicted by the standards with patterns of growth in dogs that were either healthy, had abnormal body condition, or had various diseases with the potential to affect growth. The data came from 2 research colonies in Europe (France and UK), and a large corporate network of primary care veterinary hospitals across the USA. Age and bodyweight data were used to model growth in healthy dogs, in dogs that became overweight or underweight by 3 years of age, and in dogs with diseases associated with altered growth. Centile line crossing during the growth phase was uncommon in healthy dogs, with <5% of dogs crossing >2 centile lines. In contrast, centile line crossing was more frequent in dogs with abnormal growth patterns or abnormal body condition. Dogs that developed obesity by 3 years grew faster than the growth standards predicted, and 68% crossed �2 centile lines in an upwards direction. Dogs with conditions associated with accelerated growth also grew faster than expected, and 54% crossed �2 centile lines. In contrast dogs that became underweight by 3 years gained weight slower than expected, and 49% crossed �2 centile lines in a downwards direction. These results suggest that the growth standards are useful for monitoring healthy growth in dogs. Prospective studies are now required to confirm these findings and to determine whether early intervention can prevent the development of diseases.

Rapid histological quantification of muscle fibrosis and lysosomal activity using the HSB colour space

“…Sirius red staining of endomysial connective tissue reflects fibre perimeters, while picric acid staining reflects myofibre cross-sectional area: the former thus increases linearly with growth, while the latter increases with the square of the diameter. Unlike mice (where substantial muscle growth has occurred by 6 weeks of age [42]), dogs are still growing between the 3-9-month timepoints used here [43] (the animals sampled here more than doubled in bodyweight over this time period), producing a downward shift in derived fibrosis fraction that our approach was able to measure.…”

Use of health parameter trends to communicate pet health information in companion animal practice: A mixed methods analysis

“…Evidence‐based growth charts for dogs, based on weight class, have been developed for use in companion animal practice 25 . Use of growth charts during the early stages of an animal's life would enable veterinarians and pet owners to monitor the trend in a pet's growth in order to identify early growth patterns that may suggest potential future problems 26 . Trending pet bodyweight early in a pet's life may increase client comprehension of healthy bodyweight and promote engagement of preventive measures which maintain the pet at a healthy weight long term.…”

Recomendaciones nutricionales de alimentos balanceados de perros y gatos registrados en Costa Ric

“…Una práctica como dueño responsable de un perro o gato, es el pesaje de los animales una vez al mes, lo que va permitir generar una curva de crecimiento (edad contra peso), y comparar este comportamiento contra la curva ideal de la raza o del patrón racial predominante (Salt et al, 2020;Cave et al, 2018). Lo que va permitir generar ajustes en la cantidad de alimento ofrecida (±5%/día) según el comportamiento del peso y valorar el aumento o disminución de la actividad física, por parte del profesional en nutrición animal.…”