Estimation of energy expenditure using the oral 13 C-bicarbonate technique in privately owned adult and senior dogs of three different body sizes.

Abstract

Knowledge about energy requirements (ER) of dogs is important in order to provide dogs with an appropriate energy supply. In this study, the oral 13 C-bicarbonate technique (o13 CBT) was used to estimate energy expenditure (EE) in 50 privately owned dogs of different body sizes (small: Danish-Swedish Farmdog (DSF, n=16), medium: Beagle (n=15), large: Labrador Retriever (n=19)), of different ages (adult: 2-7years (n=33), senior: ≥8years (n=17)). The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of the method in the field and to get more information about ER of dogs. All dogs were measured twice, on two separate days under standardized, resting conditions. The dogs were fasted overnight prior to measurements, which were carried out in home environment. Only measurements of dogs resting calmly were included in the statistical analyses. No significant difference (p>0.05) in EE was found between days of measurements. The EE measured in Labrador Retrievers (405kJ (97kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day) was significantly lower (p<0.001) than of Beagles (530kJ (127kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day) and DSF (497kJ (119kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day), the difference between Beagles and DSF being non-significant. Senior dogs had significantly lower (p<0.001) EE values than adult dogs with least square means (LSM) of 441kJ (105kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day and 513kJ (123kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day respectively. Analysed within breeds, EE of senior Labrador Retrievers (370kJ (88kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day)) was significantly lower (p<0.01) than adults (439kJ (105kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day), as well as in DSF (453kJ (108kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day and 541kJ (129kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day for senior and adult dogs respectively). However, the EE was not significantly different (p>0.05) between adult (548kJ (131kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day) and senior (499kJ (119kcal)/kg BW0.75 /day) Beagles. This study suggests that when measured under standardized resting conditions, the o13 CBT can provide reliable results of EE and be a helpful tool to get more knowledge about ER of dogs of different sizes, breeds and ages.