Muscle Condition Score Research Articles

Abstracts of the 10th International Conference on Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle Wasting, Rome, Italy, 8-10 December 2017 (Part 1)

Abstracts of the 10th International Conference on Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle Wasting, Rome, Italy, 8-10 December 2017 (Part 1)

Effects of various factors on Doppler ultrasonographic measurements of radial and coccygeal arterial blood pressure in privately owned, conscious cats.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of age, body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS) on radial and coccygeal systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) in cats. DESIGN Prospective randomized trial. ANIMALS 66 privately owned cats enrolled between May and December 2010. PROCEDURES BCS and MCS of cats were assessed by 2 investigators; SAP was measured via Doppler ultrasonic flow detector, with cats positioned in right lateral or sternal recumbency for measurements at the radial or coccygeal artery, respectively, with order of site randomized. Associations among variables were assessed through correlation coefficients, partial correlation coefficients, and ANCOVA. RESULTS Interrater reliability for BCS and MCS assessment was high (correlation coefficients, 0.95 and 0.83, respectively). No significant effect was identified for order of SAP measurement sites. Coccygeal and radial SAP were positively correlated (ρ = 0.45). The median difference in coccygeal versus radial SAP was 19 mm Hg, but differences were not consistently positive or negative. Radial SAP was positively correlated with age (ρ = 0.48) and negatively correlated with MCS (ρ = -0.30). On the basis of the correlation analysis, the association between radial SAP and MCS reflected the confounding influence of age. Coccygeal SAP was not significantly correlated with age, BCS, or MCS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of the coccygeal artery is recommended to reduce the confounding effects of age and sarcopenia on Doppler ultrasonographic SAP measurements in cats. Additionally, monitoring for changes in MCS is recommended for cats undergoing serial SAP measurement.

Effects of various factors on Doppler flow ultrasonic radial and coccygeal artery systolic blood pressure measurements in privately-owned, conscious dogs.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the effects of age, body condition score (BCS) and muscle condition score (MCS) on indirect radial and coccygeal Doppler systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) measurements in dogs.MethodsSixty-two privately-owned dogs were enrolled between June and July 2016. The BCS and MCS were determined by two investigators. Blood pressure was measured per published guidelines and using headphones, and the order of measurement site was randomized. Dogs were positioned in right lateral recumbency for radial measurements and sternal recumbency or standing for coccygeal measurements. Associations between SAP and other variables were assessed by correlation coefficients and analysis of covariance.ResultsRadial and coccygeal SAP measurements were moderately correlated (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Radial SAP measurements were higher than coccygeal SAP measurements (mean difference 9 mmHg, P < 0.01), but discordance occurred in both directions. No difference was observed between the first measurement taken, the average of measurements 2–6, or the average of all 6 measurements for either the radial (128, 129, and 129 mmHg; P = 0.36) or coccygeal (121, 122, and 122 mmHg; P = 0.82) site. Associations were not found between SAP measurements for either site and age, weight, BCS, MCS, anxiety score, or cuff size. Heart rate decreased significantly from the start of acclimation to the end of the first data collection series regardless of site (P < 0.01).Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceInitial measurement site can be based on patient and operator preference given lack of associations with patient variables, but the same site should be used for serial SAP measurements given discordant results between sites.

Evaluation of Body Weight, Body Condition, and Muscle Condition in Cats with Hyperthyroidism.

BackgroundThe contribution of fat loss versus muscle wasting to the loss of body weight seen in hyperthyroid cats is unknown.ObjectivesTo investigate body weight, body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS) in hyperthyroid cats.AnimalsFour hundred sixty‐two cats with untreated hyperthyroidism, 117 of which were reevaluated after treatment.MethodsProspective cross‐sectional and before–after studies. Untreated hyperthyroid cats had body composition evaluated (body weight, BCS, and MCS). A subset of these cats were reevaluated 3–12 months after treatment when euthyroid.ResultsPretreatment body weight (median, 4.36 kg; IQR, 3.5 to 5.2 kg) was lower than premorbid weight (5.45 kg; IQR, 4.6 to 6.4 kg, P < .0001) recorded 1–2 years before diagnosis. 154 (35.3%) cats were thin or emaciated; 357 (77.3%) had loss of muscle mass. Cats showed increases in body weight (median, 4.1 kg to 5.0 kg), BCS (median, 3/5 to 3.5/5), and MCS (2/3 to 3/3) after treatment (P < .001), but mild‐to‐moderate muscle wasting persisted in 45% of treated cats.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceMost hyperthyroid cats lose body weight but maintain an ideal or overweight BCS, with only a third being underweight. As in human hyperthyroid patients, this weight loss is associated with muscle wasting, which affects >75% of hyperthyroid cats. Successful treatment leads to weight gain and increase of BCS in most cats, but almost half fail to regain normal muscle mass.

The digitizing of palpation for the muscle condition score assessment in dogs

The digitizing of palpation for the muscle condition score assessment in dogs

Pilot study of a myostatin antagonist in dogs with cardiac cachexia

ObjectivesCardiac cachexia, a loss of lean body mass caused by heart disease, often accompanies congestive heart failure (CHF). Blocking myostatin, which is a protein that inhibits muscle growth, appears to greatly enhance muscle size and strength in rodent models and human clinical trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate a dog-specific myostatin antagonist (CAP-031) in a pilot study to test its safety and efficacy in dogs with CHF and cardiac cachexia. AnimalsDogs with CHF and cardiac cachexia. MethodsEligible dogs received four weekly subcutaneous injections of CAP-031. Endpoints were body weight, body condition score (BCS, on a 1–9 scale), muscle condition score (MCS, on a five-point scale, where 0 = no muscle loss and 4 = severe muscle loss), appetite, and a quality of life (QOL) score. ResultsSeven dogs with CHF and moderate-to-severe cachexia were enrolled in the study. For the six dogs that completed the study, the median age was 8.8 years (range 6.4–10.6). At baseline, the median body weight was 27.0 kg (range 17.3–62.0), the median BCS was 4 (2–5), and median MCS was 3 (3–4). There were no significant changes in body weight, BCS, appetite, or QOL score. The change in MCS (from a median of 3 at baseline to a median of 2.5 at week 4) was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). ConclusionsThe myostatin antagonist appeared to be well tolerated in most dogs. Earlier identification of cachexia is important, and randomized, controlled trials of myostatin antagonists or other drugs to treat cardiac cachexia are needed.

WSAVA news

To help body condition the Nutrition Service at Tufts University has developed a WSAVA Muscle Condition Score system.

No evidence for synchrony of physiological or behavioural preparations for migration in a short-distance migratory parrot

The synchronisation of metabolism and behaviour to support migration has been demonstrated in a wide range of migratory organisms. However these models have been developed using long-distance migrants. This study investigated physiological and behavioural changes associated with short-distance migration in Swift Parrots (Lathamus discolor). Non-migratory Musk Lorikeets (Glossopsitta concinna) were included as a comparator species. The mean body mass and fat score of wild Swift Parrots was higher in spring than in summer. Mean pectoral muscle condition score did not vary seasonally. There was no significant variation in plasma corticosterone concentration in either captive adult male Swift Parrots or captive Musk Lorikeets, when examined either by month or when pooled by season. Captive Swift Parrots showed inconsistent diurnal and nocturnal orientation preferences. There was no evidence of migratory restlessness in any of the periods examined. Pectoral muscle condition, plasma corticosterone concentrations and behavioural changes of migratory restlessness and orientation showed no clear seasonal pattern of synchronous change that is expected in a migratory species. This may reflect the weakly synchronised migration of the Swift Parrots or that the fairly short-distance migration requires minimal physiological preparation.

WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines

WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines

AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends these nutritional assessment guidelines because good nutrition enhances pets’ quality and quantity of life, and is integral to optimal animal care. Incorporating nutritional assessment into regular animal care is critical for maintaining pets’