Penell, Johanna
- University of Surrey
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to describe the longevity and causes of mortality in 39 (12 males, 27 females) pedigree adult neutered Labrador retrievers with a median age of 6.5 years at the start of the study and kept under similar housing and management conditions. Body condition score was maintained between two and four on a 5-point scale by varying food allowances quarterly. The impact of change in body weight (BW) and body composition on longevity was analysed using linear mixed models with random slopes and intercepts.Results: On 31 July 2014, 10 years after study start, dogs were classified into three lifespan groups: 13 (33 %) Expected (>= 9 to = 13 to = 15.6 years) with five still alive. Gender and age at neutering were not associated with longevity (P >= 0.06). BW increased similarly for all lifespan groups up to age 9, thereafter, from 9 to 13 years, Exceptional dogs gained and Long-lifespan dogs lost weight (P = 0.007). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer scans revealed that absolute fat mass increase was slower to age 13 for Long compared with Expected lifespan dogs (P = 0.003) whilst all groups lost a similar amount of absolute lean mass (P > 0.05). Percent fat increase and percent lean loss were slower, whilst the change in fat: lean was smaller, in both the Exceptional and Long lifespan compared with Expected dogs to age 13 (P = 15.6 years.
Keywords
Ageing; Exceptional longevity; Healthspan; Body weight; Sarcopenia; Lean body mass; Body fat mass; Nutrition; Husbandry; Healthcare
Published in
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
2016, volume: 58, article number: 29
Publisher: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Other Veterinary Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-016-0206-7
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/83982