Evaluation of the effect of limited food consumption on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence of radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in 4 diarthrodial joints of dogs with restricted feed intake, compared with dogs without restricted feed intake.


METHODS
Paired feeding study.


METHODS
48 Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
Dogs in litters from 7 dams and 2 sires were paired by sex and weight within litters and randomly assigned to a control-fed group or a limit-fed group that received 25% less food than the control-fed group. Radiographic evaluation of prevalence and severity of osteoarthritis in the hip, shoulder, elbow, and stifle joints was performed when dogs were 8 years of age.


RESULTS
Radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis that affected multiple joints was significantly more common in the control-fed group than in the limit-fed group. Prevalence of lesions in the hip joint was 15/22 in the control-fed group and 3/21 in the limit-fed group. Prevalence of lesions in the shoulder joint was 19/22 in the control-fed group and 12/21 in the limit-fed group; lesions in this joint were generally mild. Severity, but not prevalence, of osteoarthritis in the elbow joint was greater in the control-fed group than in the limit-fed group.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence and severity of osteoarthritis in several joints was less in dogs with long-term reduced food intake, compared with control dogs. Food intake is an environmental factor that may have a profound effect on development of osteoarthritis in dogs.
Kealy
R D
RD
Pet Nutrition Research Department, Ralston Purina Company, St Louis, MO 63164, USA.
Lawler
D F
DF
Ballam
J M
JM
Lust
G
G
Biery
D N
DN
Smith
G K
GK
Mantz
S L
SL
D000818:Animals; D001175:Arthrography / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011897:Random Allocation