RESTING ENERGY-EXPENDITURE IN DOGS WITH NONHEMATOPOIETIC MALIGNANCIESBEFORE AND AFTER EXCISION OF TUMORS

Objective-To determine whether apparently resting dogs with nonhematop oietic malignancies have increased resting energy expenditure (REE), c ompared with clinically normal dogs. Animals-46 client-owned dogs with nonhematopoietic malignancies and 30 client-owned dogs that were clin ically normal. Procedure-Apparently resting, client-owned dogs with no nhematopoietic malignancies before (n = 46) and 4 to 6 weeks after (n = 30) surgical removal of tumors were compared with apparently resting , clinically normal, client-owned dogs in = 30). An open flow indirect calorimetry system was used to determine the following: rate of oxyge n consumption (ml/min/kg of body weight); rate of carbon dioxide produ ction (mis/min/kg), REE (kcal/kg/d), and respiratory quotient. Because of the wide range of body weight, REE and oxygen consumption were als o expressed per kg of body weight(0.75). Results-Surgical removal of t he tumor did not significantly alter any of the variables measured whe n all dogs with tumors were assessed as a single group, or when the do gs were divided on the basis of having the following types of tumors: carcinomas and sarcomas, osteosarcomas, and mammary adenocarcinomas. N one of the data obtained prior to surgical treatment from any of the d ogs grouped by tumor type were significantly different from clinically normal dogs. Conclusions-REE (54.4 +/- 16 kcal/kg/d or 125 +/- 19 kca l/kg(0.75)/d) and, presumably, caloric requirements of dogs with nonhe matopoietic malignancies are not significantly different from those ob tained from clinically normal dogs (53.9 +/- 16 kcal/kg/d or 116 +/- 3 2 kcal/kg(0.75)/d). Furthermore, these variables do not change signifi cantly when the tumor is excised and the dog is reassessed after 4 to 6 weeks. Clinical Relevance-Knowledge that REE in dogs with solid tumo rs is not significantly different from REE of clinically normal dogs m ay be of value when planning nutritional treatment for dogs with nonhe matopoietic malignancies.