Cardiovascular evaluation in overweight and obese dogs

Canine obesity is a multifactorial nutritional disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue with systemic health consequences. However, the cardiovascular effects of obesity in dogs have not been completely characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters of dogs with normal body condition, overweight, and obesity. Thirty client-owned dogs were divided into three groups of ten: Group 1 (G1, body condition score [BCS] 4-5/9), Group 2 (G2, overweight, BCS 6-7/9), and Group 3 (G3, obese, BCS 8-9/9). All animals underwent physical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, and their canine body mass index and thoracic-to-abdominal circumference ratio were measured. Exercise intolerance and dyspnea were significantly more frequent in G3 (90% and 70%) than in G1 (20% and 10%) and G2 (60% and 10%) (p