Ultrasound Measurement of Visceral Fat in Obese Dogs: Association with Changes in Serum Lipids and Leptin Concentration

Ultrasound Measurement of Visceral Fat in Obese Dogs: Association with Changes in Serum Lipids and Leptin Concentration

Obesity is a common nutritional disorder in dogs and it has adverse effects on health and longevity. In humans, the detrimental health effects of obesity are well known and the regional fat distribution, especially intra-abdominal adiposity, is an important index of cardiovascular and metabolic deterioration. The significance of central obesity has not been well studied in dogs, but there is evidence for the presence of visceral obesity also in dogs. However, a simple and noninvasive method to assess the regional distribution of body fat is not available. The objective of this prospective study was to investigate a possible application of ultrasound to quantify visceral fat and to predict metabolic changes in obese dogs..