Hypertension: A risk factor associated with weight status in dogs

Abstract

The relation between hypertension and weight status in humans has long been established (1), but because hypertension is uncommon in dogs, and specifically primary (essential) hypertension is rare, similar studies have not been conducted in dogs. With obesity currently estimated to affect 20–40% (2–4) of the canine population, research is required to fully understand the secondary consequences of excess body fat.

Previously, Bodey and Michell (5) conducted a large (1903 dogs) study examining the influence of factors such as sex, neuter status, age, breed, and body condition on canine blood pressure. They concluded that body condition had only a minor effect on blood pressure and that this was most likely related to age, as older animals are most likely to be overweight and to suffer from additional health problems. This study, however, included only 3 classifications of body condition, underweight, ideal, and overweight, as well as including dogs with known pathologies. This group concluded that age, sex, neuter status, breed, and size (small, medium, large, or giant) were significant determinants of blood pressure in dogs.

Experimentally induced canine obesity (6) is known to result in elevated blood pressure measurements, but it is unclear whether this is a result of the high-fat diet fed to induce obesity, the rate of weight gain, or a direct result of excess body fat. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the relation between body condition score using a 9-point scale and blood pressure in otherwise healthy dogs