Assessment Of Body Condition Research Articles

Relationship between skin and body condition in three species of baleen whales.

The assessment of free-ranging cetacean health through the study of skin conditions using photographs has gained prominence in recent years. However, little attention has been given to the relationships between cetacean skin conditions, species, and body condition. To explore this relationship among baleen whale species along the northwestern coast of Spain, we employed a non-invasive method involving photograph analysis. In this study, we examined skin conditions (including injuries, epizoites and ectoparasites, pigmentation disorders, skin lesions, and anatomical malformations) and body condition (overall physical contours and form, as an indicator of nutritional status and health) in 3 species of whales (blue, fin, and minke whales). This methodology facilitated the identification of 29 subcategories of distinct skin conditions and an assessment of body condition over a 5 yr period (2017 to 2021). In our study, we present evidence linking hypopigmentation, protruding pieces of tissue, and tattoo-like lesions to 'Poor' body condition in the 3 baleen whale species. Fin whales exhibited a higher susceptibility to mottling (prevalence = 17.7%), while blue whales were more prone to starbursts (prevalence = 90.5%). Additionally, we found a significant relationship between skin condition diversity and individual body condition. Our findings contribute valuable information to the broader understanding of the health status of baleen whales. Further investigations are necessary to delve into the etiology of the documented skin conditions and their potential implications for individual survival. This study serves as a foundation for ongoing research aimed at advancing our comprehension of these findings.

Estimating body condition of Apennine brown bears using subjective scoring based on camera trap photographs

The assessment of animal body condition has important practical and management implications for endangered wildlife populations. The nutritional condition of a population can be evaluated in a non-invasive way using photogrammetry techniques, avoiding direct manipulation. This study evaluates the utility of using body condition scoring (BCS) based on the visual assessment of subcutaneous fat and muscle from the body contour as a non-invasive method to quantify body condition in free ranging bears from camera trap photographs. Photographs of Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus), taken between 2007 and 2009 in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (PNALM, Italy), were used to evaluate the potential of this technique. BCS assessment was performed on 754 photographs representing 71 independent observations. Forty-eight of these photographs were selected to also score quantitative body ratios using a standardised measure of torso height. BCS varied seasonally, as expected by food availability and brown bear nutritional physiology, and it was also positively correlated to all three body ratios. Our findings indicate that BCS assessment is a good proxy for body condition, and that camera trap data can be effectively used to assess and monitor the nutritional condition of bear populations, such as the critically endangered one in central Italy.

Assessment of Body Condition in a Threatened Dolphin Population in an Anthropized Area in Southeastern Brazil.

Sepetiba Bay, located in southwestern Rio de Janeiro state, in southeastern Brazil, is a region of extreme anthropogenic impact, and is home to a large population of Guiana dolphins, which face increasing and cumulative pressures on their physical health. Cetacean body condition provides a useful indicator for the evaluation of the conservation status of marine mammals. Given this, the present study quantified the proportion of dolphins with different body condition scores and assessed temporal variation in these scores between 2017 and 2022 through the analysis of photographic records. We analyzed the photographs and identified the individuals using FinFindR and classified each individual based on its apparent body condition. A total of 29,737 photographs were taken during the study, and 79 individuals were identified, of which 68.35% were in poor condition. The evidence suggests that the Guiana dolphins are in relatively poor condition overall, possibly reflecting the cumulative impact of human activities in Sepetiba Bay.

Approaching a population‐level assessment of body size in pinnipeds using drones, an early warning of environmental degradation

AbstractBody mass is a fundamental indicator of animal health closely linked to survival and reproductive success. Systematic assessment of body mass for a large proportion of a population can allow early detection of changes likely to impact population growth, facilitating responsive management and a mechanistic understanding of ecological trends. One challenge with integrating body mass assessment into monitoring is sampling enough animals to detect trends and account for individual variation. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) are philopatric marine mammals responsive to regional environmental changes, resulting in their use as an indicator species. We present a novel method for the non‐invasive and semi‐automatic assessment of harbour seal body condition, using unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones). Morphological parameters are automatically measured in georeferenced images and used to estimate volume, which is then translated to estimated mass. Remote observations of known individuals are utilized to calibrate the method. We achieve a high level of accuracy (mean absolute error of 4.5 kg or 10.5% for all seals and 3.2 kg or 12.7% for pups‐of‐the‐year). We systematically apply the method to wild seals during the Spring pupping season and Autumn over 2 years, achieving a near‐population‐level assessment for pups on land (82.5% measured). With reference to previous mark‐recapture work linking Autumn pup weights to survival, we estimate mean expected probability of over‐winter survival (mean = 0.89, standard deviation = 0.08). This work marks a significant step forward for the non‐invasive assessment of body condition in pinnipeds and could provide daily estimates of body mass for thousands of individuals. It can act as an early warning for deteriorating environmental conditions and be utilized as an integrative tool for wildlife monitoring. It also enables estimation of yearly variation in demographic rates which can be utilized in parameterizing models of population growth with relevance for conservation and evolutionary biology.

Relationship between body condition of dairy cows in the peripartum period and selected metabolic parameters in consideration of different breeds

The results of this study describe the relationship between the body condition of dairy cows and selected metabolic parameters during the peri- and post-partum period with special consideration of 3 local dairy cow breed in Upper Bavaria and the Allgau. Three local dairy cattle breeds (Swiss Brown (BV), Simmental (FL), Holstein Friesian (HF)) were examined on 68 farms in southern Germany for 7 consecutive weeks. In dry cows as well as lactating cows (5.-65. day in milk), following blood parameters were investigated: beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, total protein, albumin, creatine kinase. In addition, body condition (body condition score [BCS] and back fat thickness [BFT]) were recorded. Exploratory and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Concerning the difference in condition before and after calving, the FL showed the smallest difference in RFD. For FL and BV a trend towards higher BFT values could be seen in first lactating cows. For FL and HF, the NEFA values of the later lactating cows were below those of the first lactating cows. The higher lactating cows of BV and FL had higher BHB values. The correlation between BFT and BCS showed the highest R2 (0.53) in the HF cows. BV and FL were below at 0.42 and 0.37. BCS and BFT could not be predicted by the variables NEFA, BHB and liver enzymes. BHB levels of all 3 breeds increased at weeks 2-4 post-partum. The NEFA values for all 3 breeds increased primarily in the 1st-3rd week p.p. in parallel to when the BFT p.p. decreased. NEFA values were highest when body condition declined and therefore when fat mobilization peaked. In BV and HF, there was a constant increase in GLDH when the p.p. BCS difference was there. Body condition assessment (BCS at herd and animals` level, BFT at animal level) is an important tool for animal health monitoring. Due to the recognizable breed specificity, the dairy herds can be dealt with more explicitly. The aim is to optimally influence the energy balance of the cow during early lactation in order maintain the health of the animal and its organ systems.

PSI-9 Relationship of body condition measures and boar reproductive performance

Abstract In the swine industry, boar nutritional requirements are not well characterized; thus, boars are typically fed to maintain a specific body condition score (BCS). Assessing body condition with subjective scoring can lead to over or underfeeding, which may have repercussions on sperm production and(or) quality. There are objective tools to assess body condition in live boars, like backfat (BF) thickness measured with real-time ultrasound, the Knauer caliper, and flank-to-flank (F2F) length. The relationship of sperm production and quality with BCS has not been reported in modern genetics and modern boar studs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of body condition measures with boar reproductive performance. Data collected in March 2023 on commercial boars (n = 147) included a BCS ranging from 2.25 to 3.5, ultrasound backfat (13.7 ± 4.37 mm) performed by a trained technician, body weight (BW; 222 ± 30.2 kg) estimated using heart girth and body length from poll to tailhead, F2F length (106.03 ± 5.94 cm) and Knauer caliper score (17.5 ± 2.37). Additional variables considered were boar genetic line, age, and collection frequency. Sperm production data (total motility, 92.1 ± 7.22%; concentration, 36.7 ± 12.10 mil/mL; ejaculate volume, 231.1 ± 73.72 mL; normal cells, 83.4 ± 11.27%) were obtained from the six collections immediately prior to body condition evaluation. Data were evaluated with the glmmTMB package of R Statistical Software using a generalized linear mixed model. There were no significant relationships between motility or ejaculate volume and boar body condition. Backfat depth was related to percentage of normal cells (P = 0.029) and inversely related to sperm concentration (P = 0.035). There was a tendency for boars with greater F2F to have greater sperm concentration (P = 0.090). Generally, the percentage of normal cells decreased with increasing BCS, though due to the low number of observations in the lower categories, only BCS 3.25 and BCS 3.5 boars were found to have a significant relationship with the trait (P = 0.004 and P = 0.022, respectively). Caliper measure was not related with any sperm parameters. While accessible tools are necessary for consistent management of boars, BF thickness measured by ultrasound was the only objective tool in this study with a significant relationship to any sperm parameters assessed. Measuring BF with ultrasound may not be practical for everyday use. More research should be done to further assess body condition measurements, objective measuring tools, and boar sperm production.

Динамика на някои биохимични показатели при две местни породи овце в зависимост от сезона, надморската височина и наличието на паразити

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the values of some enzymes and metabolites - ALT, AST, ALP, serum iron and glucose of two herds of Bulgarian native sheep breeds raised at different altitudes, depending on the season, their body condition score (BCS) and the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. The research was conducted with 20 animals each in farms in the village of Mirkovo (715 m above sea level) with Sofia (Elinpelin) sheep breed and in the village of Gubesh (1040 m above sea level) with Central Balkan sheep breed. Body condition assessment was performed during sampling by one individual using an adapted system. Fresh faeces (total sample) were also collected for parasitological tests (coproovoscopy and coprolarvoscopy). Analysis of biochemical parameters was performed in extracted blood plasma with a BTS-350 semi-automatic biochemical analyzer. AST and glucose levels were normal, ALP and Fe were lower in both seasons, and ALT was higher than reference values limits only in summer for both breeds. There were significant differences between the two breeds in summer for BCS, ALT and glucose (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively), in winter - only for Fe (p<0.001) and in both seasons for HCT (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively), AST (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively) and ALP (p<0.001 each). Regarding the activity of AST, there are no significant differences between the two seasons and in both breeds, however, there are such differences only in Central Balkan sheep for BCS and Fe (respectively p<0.01 and p<0.001), and in both breeds together with different degrees of freedom - for all other indicators (HCT, ALT, ALP and glucose).

Body condition scoring facilitates healthcare monitoring in Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni ssp.).

Clinical assessment of body condition is crucial in captive and free-ranging reptiles, since a large percentage of diseases result from inadequate nutrition. However, preventive health care is restricted by the lack of a practical method for the assessment in tortoises. Pre-existing evaluation systems based on weight and shell measurements are laborious and ignore the clinical presentation of the animal. The present study aimed to facilitate the assessment by establishing a body condition score. A total of 373 Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) (n = 281 tortoises kept as pets in Germany and n = 92 tortoises originating from a free-ranging population (68) or a rearing station (24) in France) were examined and data (weight (g), carapace length (cm), width (cm), height (cm)) were recorded in a standard protocol between October 2020 and October 2021. A modified version of a body condition score for Mojave Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) (1 = cachectic, 3 = ideal, 5 = obese) was utilized and tested against pre-existing shell measurement systems (Jackson's ratio, body condition index, volume condition index, circumferential product). German captive tortoises were significantly heavier and larger than French specimens. In the Spearman's correlation matrix, the body condition score showed a statistically significant correlation with all measurement methods in the total population of captive tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri), with a medium correlation strength, and a lack of correlation in free-ranging tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni). However, individual animal data suggested misleading results of mathematical equations in terms of body condition. Clinical evaluation of tortoises, including a body condition score, should be considered essential to provide good healthcare and should be an integral part of general examination.

Using camera traps to assess body condition of brown bears in Hokkaido

Using camera traps to assess body condition of brown bears in Hokkaido

RUSS-AGE: developed research protocol for the creation of Russian biological age calculators

Background. Life expectancy is increasing around the globe. However, chronological age is not the best indicator of health. For a more accurate assessment of body condition throughout life, in general, and aging, in particular, and identify potential points of geroprotective intervention, a specialized tool is needed. A tool that could prove beneficial is a biological age calculator, utilizing a range of biomarkers to analyze the degree of functional preservation of the body. Many existing biological age calculators are limited by a small number of parameters to analyze and sensitivity to use in a specific population.Aim. Large-scale studies to create a mathematical model for calculating biological age based on the Russian population have not previously been carried out. In 2022, the RUSS-AGE study was launched to create biochemical, cognitive and microbiotic calculators of biological age and determine possible points of geroprotective interventions.Materials and methods. The study intends to enroll at least 3,500 participants and analyze more than a hundred biomarkers using laboratory tests, questionnaires, neurocognitive and functional testing, and collection of anthropometric and physical indicators.Results. Currently, the recruitment of participants is supported by a government grant under the Priority 2030 program. By November 2023, 510 participants had been enrolled in the study.Conclusion. Further statistical processing of the information received and the development of prototypes of biological age calculators are planned.

Interobserver variability of assessing body condition scores and muscle condition scores in a population of 43 active working explosive detection dogs.

This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between explosive detection dog (EDD) handlers and a team of veterinarians in assessing body condition score (BCS) and muscle condition score (MCS), hypothesizing significant BCS differences between handlers and veterinarians, and no significant MCS differences in healthy active duty EDDs. This prospective study analyzed variance and inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of agreement within BCS and MCS assessments collected from the 43 EDDs by four blinded graders; the EDDs' respective handler and three veterinarians with varying levels of veterinary expertise. The results of the study showed that 74.4% of the EDD population was graded as ideal BCS (4 or 5 out of 9) by the handlers compared to 67.44% by the members of the veterinary team; however, the graders scored different subsets of individual EDDs as ideal. Normal MCS (3 out of 3) was assessed in 86.05% (n = 37) of EDDs by the handlers versus in 70.54% by the veterinary team. This study highlights the importance of standardized training and guidelines for BCS and MCS assessments in working dogs to improve agreement between all members of the healthcare team.

Assessing body condition scores, weight gain dynamics, and fecal egg counts in feedlot and non-feedlot cattle within high throughput abattoirs of the Eastern Cape Province

IntroductionFeedlots have emerged as an ideal mitigation option to pursue sustainable and efficient livestock production. This paper aims to elucidate how the establishment and widespread adoption of feedlots have provided solutions to complex problems of food security, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study compared fecal egg count per gram (EPG), weight gain, and body condition score (BCS) in feedlot and non-feedlot cattle at high throughput abattoirs. Cattle (n = 120) of different age and sex groups, farms, and breeds were selected from two commercial abattoirs (EA1 and EA2) in the Eastern Cape Province.ResultsAt EA1, non-feedlot cattle exhibited higher EPG values (323.3±28.9) than feedlot cattle (73.3±13.3), indicating a potentially greater susceptibility to internal parasitic infections. The similar weight gains between feedlot (298.1±4.7) and non-feedlot cattle (287.16±7.79) were attributed to the sufficient natural pasture in the communally raised cattle. However, body condition scores were significantly (P< 0.05) better in feedlot than in non-feedlot cattle. Nonetheless, the feedlot farms of origin had a significant effect (P< 0.05) on the EPG and body condition score values in EA1, with no significant effect in EA2.DiscussionMoreover, the negative correlation between EPG and body condition scores highlights that as parasite load increases, there might be a subtle tendency for body condition to decrease. These results underscore the importance of feedlots as an effective management strategy to improve animal health and productivity. Further investigations into the factors driving the differences in non-feedlot cattle are needed for informed decision-making in livestock management and abattoir operations.

220 Impact of Bump Feeding During Late Gestation on Reproductive Performance of Over-Conditioned Sows

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effect of bump-feeding during late gestation on reproductive performance of multiparous over-conditioned sows. A total of 220 PIC Camborough sows were assigned to one of three feeding levels in a completely randomized design. Caliper was individually collected at d 90 of gestation from a larger group of sows to assess body condition, and only sows from parity 1+ and considered over-conditioned by the sow caliper were selected for the study. Sows were equally balanced by parity (P1 and P2 as young, and P3+ as mature) when allocated to treatments. All sows were fed a common gestation diet containing 3.20 Mcal of metabolizable energy (ME) per kg and 0.56% standardized ileal digestible lysine, but feed drop-boxes were adjusted to different feeding levels according to treatment. Treatments consisted of 5.09 Mcal of ME/d (1.59 kg/d; CONTROL), 6.54 Mcal of ME/d (2.04 kg/d; 0.45kg-BUMP), or 8.00 Mcal of ME/d (2.49 kg/d; 0.90kg-BUMP); and fed to sows from d 90 of gestation until they were moved to the farrowing room. Sows were housed in crates during gestation. Sow body weight (BW) and caliper measurements were collected at pre-farrowing and weaning, and their difference was calculated. Additionally, post-farrowing 48h BW was predicted using the following equation: 48h post-farrow BW = -20.81 + (0.98 × pre-farrow BW). Total born, born alive (BA), stillborn (SB), and mummified were collected for each sow at farrowing. Individual piglet BW were recorded at birth, at cross-foster, and at weaning. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model considering sow as the experimental unit. Models included treatment, parity group, and their interaction as fixed effects. Covariates were included if they were statistically significant and improved model fit. There was no treatment by parity group interaction for any response criteria. There was no evidence for differences between treatments for caliper at d 90 of gestation, caliper pre-farrow, caliper at weaning, or caliper change between d 90 to pre-farrow and pre-farrow to weaning (P >0.10; Table 1). Sows that received 0.90 kg-BUMP were marginally heavier at farrow than CONTROL sows (P < 0.10), with those receiving 0.45 kg-BUMP intermediate. CONTROL sows lost less BW during lactation compared with 0.45kg-BUMP sows (P < 0.05), with 0.90 kg-BUMP sows intermediate. Sows receiving 0.45kg-BUMP from d90 of gestation to farrowing had greater percentage BA piglets and decreased percentage SB compared with sows receiving 0.90 kg-BUMP (P < 0.05), with CONTROL sows intermediate. There was no evidence (P >0.10) for treatment differences for piglet birth weight, litter and piglet BW gain, or percentage weaned piglets. In summary, increasing the feeding level for over-conditioned sows during late gestation did not impact sow reproductive or litter performances.

Automatic method for quantitatively analyzing the body condition of livestock from 3D shape

Body condition has always been an important indicator reflecting the health status of livestock, and new automated and contactless methods for assessing it have also been continuously proposed. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of research on quantitative analysis of three-dimensional shapes in the field of agriculture, amount of studies has shown that quantitative analysis of shapes can promote the development of smart agriculture. This article proposed a method for quantitatively analyzing the local three-dimensional shape of livestock to evaluate their body conditions. This is a universal method that can be applied to various species. It uses the method of point-to-point correspondence in the three-dimensional shape to finely calculate the difference between shapes, and then maps the difference value to the range of the body condition score. The article analyzed the shape of 198 dairy cows, 100 beef cattle, and 201 pigs using body condition scores as test parameters. The accuracy of body condition evaluation within the range of error of 0.5 for dairy cows, 1 for beef cattle, and 0.5 for pigs are 100%, 87.61%, and 92.09%, respectively. Compared to previous methods for assessing body condition, the method proposed in this paper is more accurate and versatile. The dataset used in this study, along with the code implementation have been made publicly available in https://gitee.com/kznd/lshape-analyser/tree/master/MATLAB.

Postpartum Body Condition Score (BCS) and Lactation Stage (30 and 60 Days) Affecting Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and Milk Quality of Najdi Sheep.

Body condition scoring (BCS) can be used to assess the energy reserves of sheep during feeding, production, and weaning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of BCS after parturition in stages of lactation (30 and 60 days) on the milk quality of Najdi ewes. The ewes were milked in the morning after their lambs had been isolated. Milk composition and fatty acid profiles (FA) were analyzed at 30 and 60 days of lactation after assessment of the sheep's body condition. The sheep were classified into the following body conditions: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. Sheep milk contained significant (p < 0.05) levels of protein at a BCS of 3.5 and on day 60 of lactation. The ewes with a BCS of 2.5 had a high milk content (p < 0.05) of unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), oleic acid (OA), vaccenic acid (VA), and LA at day 60 of lactation. This result shows that the ewes with a BCS of 2.5 were able to produce high-quality milk, and 60 days of lactation was the preferred time for producing good milk and tasty and healthy dairy products.

A study on obesity and risk factors among leisure and polo horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Despite the growing concern about the impact of obesity on equine health, little information is available on equine obesity in Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity in leisure and polo horses as well as associated risk factors in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 116 horses were selected for the study, and the modified Henneke method (1–9 scale) was used to assess body condition scores, with animals having a score of ≥ 7 classified as obese. Information regarding age, breed, and sex was documented, while information regarding feeding and management was obtained from a structured questionnaire. Factors associated with obesity were assessed using logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of obesity in horses sampled was 12.1 % (14/116). The prevalence of obesity in leisure horses (21.4 %) was higher than in polo horses (3.3 %). Factors associated with increased odds of obesity were being a local breed of horse (18.6 %), being a stallion (21.4 %), horses not being exercised (66.7 %), horses tethered to a stake in the ground (23.2 %), and horses fed ad libitum on concentrates (21.4 %). Knowing the prevalence of obesity in this population and associated risk factors will enable optimal targeting of owner education regarding management strategies to reduce the prevalence of equine obesity, reducing the risk of conditions such as laminitis and insulin dysregulation.

Estimating parasite-condition relationships and potential health effects for fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Denmark.

Parasites can exert a substantial influence on the ecology of wildlife populations by altering host condition. Our objectives were to estimate single and multiparasite-condition relationships for fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Denmark and to assess potential health effects along the parasite burden gradient. Fallow deer hosted on average two endoparasite taxa per individual (min=0, max=5) while red deer carried on average five parasite taxa per individual (min=2, max=9). Body condition of both deer species was negatively related to presence of Trichuris ssp. eggs while body condition of red deer was positively related to antibodies of the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. For the remaining parasite taxa (n=12), we either found weak or no apparent association between infection and deer body condition or low prevalence levels restricted formal testing. Importantly, we detected a strong negative relationship between body condition and the sum of endoparasite taxa carried by individual hosts, a pattern that was evident in both deer species. We did not detect systemic inflammatory reactions, yet serology revealed reduced total protein and iron concentrations with increased parasite load in both deer species, likely due to maldigestion of forage or malabsorption of nutrients. Despite moderate sample sizes, our study highlights the importance of considering multiparasitism when assessing body condition impacts in deer populations. Moreover, we show how serum chemistry assays are a valuable diagnostic tool to detect subtle and sub-clinical health impacts of parasitism, even at low-level infestation.

Dog Owners' Perceptions of Canine Body Composition and Effect of Standardized Education for Dog Owners on Body Condition Assessment of Their Own Dogs.

Overweight in dogs is an increasing problem, with a prevalence of about 30% in Sweden. To prevent the negative health effects of overweight, it is important to identify and treat canine overweight. Dog owners are essential for such interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate dog owners' perceptions of various canine body compositions via indirect assessment based on photos and direct assessment of their own dogs. A second aim was to evaluate the effect of a standardized practical education for dog owners on body condition score (BCS) assessment of their own dogs. The 9-point BCS scale was used, and two study samples were recruited: one was a survey sample where 564 dog owners assessed the BCS of dogs using photos, and one sample was a separate clinical sample where 82 dogs were assessed by their owners and by veterinary health care personnel. The initial BCS assessment by the dog owners in the clinical sample (mean ± SD) was significantly lower (4.6 ± 1.0) than the BCS assessed by the veterinary health care personnel (5.2 ± 1.1), but the owners improved significantly after receiving the standardized education (5.1 ± 1.0) (both p < 0.0001) and performed as accurately as the veterinary health care personnel (p = 0.99). The results should be verified in the broader dog owner population based on a randomized selection of participants. "Weight blindness", defined here as an underassessment of normal-weight dogs and an inability to identify overweight dogs, is likely to have a negative impact on canine overweight prevalence. Deeper knowledge about dog owners' perceptions can inform the development of new strategies to help prevent and manage canine overweight, whereof standardized practical education on BCS assessment is shown here to be one example.

Anthropogenic supply of nutrients in a wildlife reserve may compromise conservation success

In nutrient-poor wildlife reserves it has become common-practice to provide supplemental mineral resources for wildlife. Yet, the impacts of anthropogenic mineral supplementation on large herbivore nutrition, behaviour, and subsequent impact on ecosystem processes have received little attention. Here, we examine the contribution of anthropogenic mineral lick provision to wildlife nutrient intake across a community of mammalian herbivores (>10 kg) in the southern Kalahari Desert. Based on predicted daily nutrient intake and a faecal nutrient assessment, many large herbivore species appear deficient in phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), or zinc (Zn). For these nutrients, anthropogenic salt and mineral licks constitute an important source of nutrient intake helping to reduce or overcome requirement deficits. Larger-bodied species disproportionately consumed licks, acquiring more nutritional benefits. A comprehensive assessment of animal body condition indicated that, in general, large herbivores display good health. However, bulk grazers, non-ruminants and females displayed poorer body condition. We discuss how provisioning of anthropogenic mineral licks may inflate large herbivore populations beyond the long-term carrying capacity of the reserve by decoupling wildlife fecundity from nutrient-related feedbacks on population growth. Over time, this could compromise ecosystem integrity through habitat degradation, modified species interactions and trophic cascades. Based on results presented here, it is clear that anthropogenic provisioning of mineral licks should be considered cautiously by wildlife managers aiming to conserve natural processes in landscapes.

Indexing body condition of bighorn sheep: potential for concordance among independent investigators?

AbstractEstimates of body condition or body composition are useful metrics, and consistency among results determined by independent investigators enhances their utility. If concordant, albeit subjective, assessments of body condition can be achieved by personnel possessing differing levels of expertise, there are important implications for generating useful information that otherwise may not be obtained by investigators facing logistic or economic constraints, or difficult field conditions. We used a serendipitous opportunity to explore level of agreement among personnel with disparate levels of anatomical knowledge and familiarity with palpation to index body condition of 55 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Our preliminary results—albeit affected by sample size—suggested the investigators interpreted and applied scoring criteria similarly, despite their differing backgrounds. Given the potential to gain meaningful information on body condition that otherwise may not be attainable, we encourage further evaluation of concordance among independent investigators whenever body condition of bighorn sheep can be rated independently by &gt;1 individual and, further, that the information be shared widely.