Relationship betwen body condition and metabolic parameters in dogs

In this present study the aim was to research the relationship among body condition and metabolic variables (parameters) in dogs. The material of this study involved 28 obese and 10 healthy other dogs of various breed and of both sexes, referred for vaccination and general examination. Among dogs involved in this study breed, age, sex, body weight presence or absence of castration / ovariohysterectomie operation and fertile or infertile position were recorded. The body condition scores of dogs were performed according to Laflamme?s (2001) scala of 9 points. The blood samples were withdrawn onto EDTA and anticoagulated blood tubes. Complete blood counts were performed from EDTA treated tubes. Sera samples were obtained after withdrawed samples centrifugation at 3000 cycle for 10 minutes. Glucose, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, iron, copper, zinc levels were detected within commercially available test kits. SPSS pocket programme was used to analyse the evaluated variables in dogs for statistical evaluation (correspondence and correlation). In obese dogs triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL values were elavated in contrast to normal conditioned ones at the level of p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively. Among obese dogs zinc levels were decreased at the level of p<0.05 in contrast to normal conditioned ones. Among haematological parameters, glucose, LDL, Cu, Fe and CRP there were no statistical differences. In conclusion within the present study it was suggested that hyperlipidemia was evident in obese dogs and those aforementioned parameters could be useful for monitorizing the obese dogs and their diet therapy.Key words: Dog, body condition, metabolic parameters