Use of a bioelectric impedance device in obese and lean healthy dogs to estimate body fat percentage.

A hand-held bioelectric impedance device was used to obtain body fat percentages from obese and lean healthy client-owned dogs. Bioelectric impedance values were compared with body condition scores assigned on a 9-point scale during physical examination to evaluate the correlation of these two methods for assessing body composition. A good correlation was revealed between body fat percentage as measured by the bioelectric impedance device and body condition score. The results of this study suggest that bioelectric impedance measurements of body fat percentage could be used by veterinary practitioners as an objective measure of adiposity when diagnosing and managing obese dogs.