BODY CONDITION SCORE IN LARGE PURE BRED DOGS : A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON AGREEMENT BETWEEN OWNER ' S PERCEPTION AND SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION

Obesity is a severe health issue among companion dogs. It may seriously impair the quality of a dog's life predisposing to many other disease conditions. Incorrect assessment of the body condition (BC) of their pets by the dog owners has been identified as an obstacle which would prevent early intervention in canine obesity. This study was designed to assess the degree of agreement between the dog owner's perception of their pet's BC and the scientific assessment of body condition score (BCS). Eighty-two large pure bred dogs were included in the study. Scientific evaluation was performed using 1-5 BCS system proposed by Royal CaninTM (1-emmaciated, 2thin, 3-ideal, 4-over weight, 5obese). Following the scientific evaluation the owners were asked to assess their pet's BC using a grading system which included appropriate lay terms to describe the 1-5 scoring positions in the scientific method (1=very thin, 2=thin, 3=ideal, 4=fat, 5=very fat). In addition the knowledge of necessity of feeding adjustments and exercise, health risk of obesity and awareness of scientific BC evaluation methods were evaluated using a short questionnaire. Agreement between the owner's perception and scientific method was analyzed using Fleiss' kappa test. Misperception occurred among 31.71% (26/82) of the owners and there was only a fair agreement (K=0.374321, P<0.05) between two evaluation methods. Interestingly owner misperception about the body condition existed not only in the BCS=4/ Overweight and BCS=5/ Obese groups but also in BCS=2 / Thin group as well. Despite the good knowledge on health risk of obesity and need of exercise among the owners, under estimation was common in BCS=4/ Overweight (40%, 8/20) and BCS =5/ Obese (100%, 5/5) groups which might be a sequela to owner's misperception. In the BCS=2/ Thin group there was a prominent overestimation 3/5 (60%). Only 12.1% of the owners were aware of existence of scientific body condition evaluation methods. Current findings are suggestive of the importance of modifying the owner's perception about their pet's body condition and the necessity of the adequate veterinary intervention through client communication about pet feeding and exercising.


The prevalence of obesity in dogs has increased in
There are various scientific methods used to assess the recent years (Olsen, 2011).Estimation about the incidence body condition of dogs (German, 2006;Mawby et al., of obesity in various part of the world in dogs reveals that 2004).They are classified into two different categories as 18%-44% of the population is obese (Anderson, 1973;research techniques and clinical techniques. Research Edney & Smith, 1986;Kronfeld et al., 1991;Lund et al., techniques include chemical analysis (D2O), 1999;Mason, 1970;Robertson, 2003;Sonnenschein et al., densitometry, Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry 1991).Excessive deposition of adipose tissue sequale to (DEXA), ultrasound and electrical impedance.Clinical positive energy balance is the cause of obesity (Colliard et techniques include measuring body weight and al., 2006;German, 2006;German et al., 2007;Gossellin et morphometric methods (BMI: Body Mass Index, BCS: al., 2007;Laflamme, 2006;McGreevy et al., 2005).Body Condition scoring) (German, 2006; Laflamme, Predisposing factors of obesity include genetics, 1997a; Mawby et al., 2004).Clinical methods are increased daily energy intake, reduced physical activity comparatively quick, inexpensive and non-invasive level, certain medications (e.g.glucocorticoids) and (German, 2006).BCS is one of the common reliable diseases (e.g.hypothyroidism) (Czirják & Chereji, 2008;clinical method (German et al., 2007).Four different types German, 2006).Neutering/ spaying also suggested to be a of scales are in use [5 scale and 6 scale (German, 2006), 7 predisposing factor due to the effect of reduced energy scale and 9 scale (Laflamme, 1997b;1997a].Body requirement (Fettman et al., 1997;Flynn et al., 1996;condition is determined using visual assessment and Jeusette et al., 2006;Jeusette et al., 2004;Root et al., palpation which has a correlation with the degree of 1996).It could deteriorate the quality of life in dogs as subcutaneous fat deposition, abdominal fat and condition well shorten the life span by predisposing to conditions of superficial muscles (German, 2006).Despite the such as cardiorespiratory diseases (Ettinger & Feldman, existence of many methods, the owner's perception about 1995), osteoarthritis (Impellizeri et al., 2000), chronic the body condition of their canine companion plays a http://doi.org/10.4038/slvj.v63i2.11significant role to maintain an ideal BC.Some studies conducted in UK revealed that under estimation of BC in pet dogs is quite common among the dog owners (Courcier et al., 2009;Eastland-Jones et al., 2014).Research to investigate the causes of misperception is important to maintain a healthy and ideal dog.In Sri Lanka there are no published studies on this topic.The objective of this study was to assess whether there is any significant difference between the owner's estimation and the scientific BC TM evaluation (1-5 scale system, Royal Canin ).In addition the knowledge and attitudes on feeding practices, necessity of exercise, awareness of health risks of obesity and awareness of scientific body condition evaluation methods were also assessed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The survey was carried out in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya and in a Private Veterinary Practice in Colombo over a period of one month.Owner's consent was obtained prior to the assessment.Inclusion criteria for the study were, large purebred dogs older than 6 months (after sexual maturity) displaying breed characteristics specified for the relevant breed (Fogle, 2002) and (RSPCA 2012).The dog owners were requested to assess the body condition of their dog according to the provided guidelines.First the owners were requested to select an appropriate term out of the five lay terms provided which they think suitable for their pets.The used terms (very thin, thin, ideal, fat, very fat) represented the 1 5 scoring positions in TM Royal Canin BCS system respectively.Following the assessment attitudes on necessity on diet modifications for overweight/ obese dogs (Q2 in Table 4), necessity of exercise to prevent obesity in dogs (Q3 in Table 4), overfeeding in purebred dogs (Q4 in Table 4), awareness of health risk of obesity (Q5 in Table 4) and knowledge about scientific body condition evaluation methods other than body weight (Q6 in Table 4) were assessed using a short questionnaire.Scientific body condition evaluation was performed by a veterinarian using the five scale TM (1-5) scoring system provided by Royal Canin (Table 1).A score was determined for each dog using visual cues followed by palpation [1=emaciated (very thin), 2=thin, 3=ideal, 4=over weight (fat) 5=obese (very fat).In short haired dogs both the visual assessment and palpation helped to determine the fat deposition around the ribs, vertebral column, abdominal tuck and waist.In long haired dogs the determination of BCS heavily relied on palpation that was done to ensure the fat deposition around ribs, vertebral column, abdominal tuck and waist to correctly determine their true body condition.The information on gender and body weight were collected for the purpose of record keeping.The level  2).To analyze the overall agreement, a kappa value was calculated for the whole group using the two sets of ratings produced by two assessment methods.Agreement within the groups was assessed using the kappa values calculated for each BCS group.
Overall Kappa score of 0.37 (p <0.05, 95% CI) (Landis & Koch, 1977) indicated an overall fair agreement between owner's assessment and scientific BCS evaluation.Owner's assessments did not aligned with the scientific assessment in 31.7%dogs (26/82).
For further detailed analysis, dogs were divided in to five groups based on the body condition score obtained from the scientific method (Group 1/BCS-1, Group 2/BCS-2, Group 3/BCS-3, Group 4/BCS-4 and Group 5/BCS-5).As there were no dogs in the Group 1/BCS 1 the particular group was not These results are formulated from the answer to the question 1 in the provided questionnaire.There were no candidates in the Group 1/BCS 1 considered for further analysis.The agreement between 80% (Table 4) of the dog owners accepted that exercise is two assessments within individual groups was also important.However only 5% (Table .4) of the dog owners determined using the same statistical method (Fleiss's were aware about an existence of scientific body condition kappa test).evaluation methods other than body weight.Therefore, Group 2/BCS=2 (n=5) had a kappa score of 0.36 (95% had they provided with a correct body condition scores CI, p<0.05) indicating a fair agreement between the two assessed following a scientific method, they might have raters.Even though there was a fair agreement between attempted to modify feeding practices and exercise to two assessments, a considerable degree (60%, Table .3) of reduce the risk of being overweight.However, in spite of overestimation existed.However due to the small sample the awareness of the risk of obesity and necessity of size it is difficult to attempt to a conclusion that this is a exercise, 40% (Table 4) of the dog owners believed that significant finding.In this group only 20% of the owners purebred dogs need excessive feeding and only 35% (1/5, Table 4) believed that feed modifications are useful.(Table 4) of the owners accepted the need to modify the However the owner's awareness about necessity of feed.Therefore, it is necessary to educate the pet owners exercise and health risk of obesity were satisfactory (Table that feed requirement in dogs does not depend on the breed 4).Sixty percent (60%, Table 4) of the owners in this but according to the energy expenditure and physiological group did not practice excessive feeding in purebred dogs.status of the dog.Only 40% (Table 4) of owners were aware about scientific Group 5/BCS=5, n=5) had a kappa score of -0.037 methods of evaluating body condition in dogs.
(95%CI p >0.05) indicating no agreement between the two Group 3/BCS 3 the largest group (n=52) had a kappa methods of assessment.According to the scientific score of 0.44 (95% CI, P<0.05) which indicated a evaluation all the dogs in this group were obese and moderate agreement between the two assessments.dietary intervention and exercising is essential as they are However, in this group also only 13.5% (Table 4) of the already predisposed to various health issues (pressure owners were aware about scientific evaluation methods wounds n = 3, exercise intolerance n = 4, infertility = 1).for assessment of body condition in dogs.Even though Interestingly under estimation by the pet owners was only 13.5% (Table .4) of the owners were aware about 100% (Table .4) even though all the owners were aware of scientific body condition evaluation methods, 90.4% the health risk of obesity as well as the need for exercise.(Table .4) of them were aware about the health risk of Sixty percent 60% (Table 4) of the owners were willing to obesity and necessity of exercise (Table. 4).A modify feed.Excessive feeding of purebred dogs was considerable proportion (40.4%,Table .4) of owners practiced by 40% (Table 4) of the owners while 40% strictly rejected excess feeding in purebred dogs.This (Table 4) of the owners disagreed with that.None of the might have played an important role in maintaining an dog owners in this group were aware of scientific body optimum BCS even in the absence of knowledge about a condition evaluation methods other than body weight scientific BCS evaluation method.Moreover, the owner's (Table 4).Therefore, misperception of the body condition awareness on necessity of exercise and the awareness on of their pets might be an important contributory factor for the health risk of obesity might have contributed obesity in this group.However only 5 dogs were in this substantially to maintaining these dogs in ideal body study and it is necessary to have a larger group to identify condition.However, 34.6% dogs had been overfed in this the consistency and significance of these findings.group which might be due to the lack of knowledge about a In the groups 4 and 5 despite the awareness of health scientific evaluation method.
risks and necessity of exercise, dogs were overweight/ Group 4/BCS 4 (n=20) carried a kappa score of 0.38 obese.One possible explanation for this is existence of (95%CI, P<0.05) which indicated a fair agreement underlying disease conditions such as hypothyroidism, between the two assessments.All dogs in this group were cardiac diseases and arthritis, which may predispose the overweight according to the scientific evaluation .dogs to obesity or interfere with exercising.However, the Interestingly majority of owners in this group (95%, Table investigation of these possible underlying factors is 4) were aware of the health risks of obesity.Moreover beyond the scope of this study.Neutering also known to cause changes in the basal metabolism due to hormonal alterations predisposing dogs to obesity.However, as all the dogs included in Group 4 and 5 are reported to be intact this argument is least valid for these groups.
In a previous study conducted in UK (Courcier, et al. 2009) 44.12% (95%CI: 40.39-47.85),n=300) of owners misperceived the body condition of their dogs.Out of these owners 77% (n=231) of the owners under estimated the body condition of their dogs.Fifty-three percent of overweight dog owners had under estimated their dogs (Courcier, et al. 2009).Our study demonstrated an overall 21.9% underestimation (18/82, Table 2) which is comparatively a low difference.However the underestimation percentage within the Obese/ Overweight groups was 52% (13/25, Table 2).Interestingly in our study out of the misperceived owners (n=26), 38.5% (10/26, Table 2) over estimated their dogs which was not observed in the UK study.

CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study reveals that even though some of the pet owners are aware about the health risks of obesity they do not attempt for necessary diet modification and/or exercise due to improper perception of their pet's body condition.Therefore, Current findings indicate the importance of veterinary intervention to assess the body condition using a scientific method (based on standard criteria) in pure bred pet dogs to minimize obesity related health risks.