Muscle condition scoring

MCS is important because it provides insights into a dog’s muscle health, which can be useful in determining muscle loss from an inadequate diet, aging or disease process. It’s important to remember that dogs can be overweight and have muscle wasting, and animals can be very thin with appropriate muscle mass. Therefore, MCS and Body Condition Score (BCS) should be assessed in all patients.

How to perform muscle condition scoring?

1. Visual assessment: Begin by observing the animal from a distance and at different angles. Note any visible signs of muscle loss or asymmetry.

2. Palpation: Gently palpate the following regions to assess their condition.
- Spine: Check along the spine to assess epaxial muscle mass. In healthy animals, you should feel firm muscle
on either side of the spine. Muscle loss is typically noted in this region first.
- Shoulders: Feel the muscles around the shoulders. In a well-muscled animal, these should be firm and substantial.
- Hips: Palpate the hip area to assess the gluteal & spinalis muscles. When placing a hand over the pelvis, if the ilium is very easily palpated with light pressure it suggests muscle loss.
- Head: Palpate the temporal and masseter muscles. Evaluate for sunken areas or indentations around the temples and cheeks.
- Thighs: Examine the thigh muscles, which should be full and firm.

3. Scoring System: Use a standardized scoring system to rate the muscle condition.
∙ Normal muscle condition
∙ Mild muscle wasting
∙ Moderate muscle wasting
∙ Severe muscle wasting

4. Document and monitor: ecord the scores in the dog’s health record. Regular monitoring can help track changes over time, which is vital for adjusting care and nutrition plans.