title: Comparison of a bioimpedance monitor with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for noninvasive estimation of percentage body fat in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess performance of a portable bioimpedance monitor for measurement of body composition in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 client-owned dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percentage body fat was measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and with a portable bioimpedance monitor, and body condition score (BCS) was measured by use of a 9-integer scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the precision of the bioimpedance monitor was good, this varied among dogs. Body position (standing vs sternal) had no effect on bioimpedance results. There was a significant association between results determined via DEXA and bioimpedance, but this association was weaker than between DEXA and BCS. When agreement was assessed via Bland-Altman plot, the bioimpedance monitor under- and overestimated values at high and low body fat percentages, respectively. In 9 dogs, body fat measurements were taken before and after weight loss to determine the proportional loss of tissue mass during weight management. There was a significant difference in the estimated percentage of weight lost as fat between the DEXA and bioimpedance methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although percentage body fat measured by use of a portable bioimpedance monitor correlated well with values determined via DEXA, the imprecision and inaccuracy in dogs with high percentage body fat could make the monitor inappropriate for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, England. ajgerman@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: German
authors.forename: Shelley L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: Penelope J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Biourge
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000662:veterinary*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D017097:Electric Impedance; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary