RACE CE for Then and Now: Looking back at Purina’s Lifespan Study 25 Years Later (Purina Institute Global Summit 2026)

This quiz is for on-demand attendees of the presentation “Then and Now: Looking back at Purina’s Lifespan Study 25 Years Later” by Drs. Richard Kealy and Brittany Vester Boler as part of the Purina Institute Global Summit 2026, “Proactive, Not Reactive: Changing the Care Paradigm.” In order to obtain your RACE certificate for 0.5 CE hours, you must get a score of 80% or higher. You can retake the quiz as needed to pass.

This presentation is eligible for RACE credit through 22-Apr 2028.

1 / 5

Which of the following was NOT a finding from the Purina Lifespan Study?

Keeping dogs at a leaner body condition throughout life extended their median lifespan.

Keeping dogs at a leaner body condition increased their health span and medial lifespan.

Body condition had no impact on healthspan.

The mean age to which 50% of the dogs in each group survived without requiring treatment for a chronic condition was significantly higher for lean-fed dogs compared to control dogs.

2 / 5

How is biological age affected by body condition, based on the results of the Purina Lifespan Study?

Dogs kept at lean body condition showed improved biological age compared to control dogs, starting at approximately mid-life.

Biological age is not affected by body condition

Dogs kept at lean body condition showed higher biological age compared to control dogs.

Biological age was lower in lean-fed dogs throughout their lives compared to control dogs.

3 / 5

Which of the following is FALSE regarding the Purina Lifespan Study findings on the impact of lean body condition on shoulder osteoarthritis?

The severity of radiographic shoulder osteoarthritis at 6 years of age was reduced in lean-fed dogs compared to control dogs.

The severity of radiographic shoulder osteoarthritis at 8 years of age was reduced in lean-fed dogs compared to control dogs

The severity of radiographic shoulder osteoarthritis was not affected by lean body condition.

The severity of radiographic shoulder osteoarthritis was impacted by lean body condition.

4 / 5

Which of the following is FALSE regarding the Purina Lifespan Study findings on the impact of lean body condition on osteoarthritis?

The prevalence of hip joint arthritis was significantly lower in lean-fed dogs compared to control dogs.

The severity of radiographic shoulder osteoarthritis at 6 and 8 years of age was reduced in lean-fed dogs compared to control dogs.

A 8 years of age, 10% of dogs in the lean-fed group had either 2 or 3 different joints with osteoarthritis, compared to 77% of dogs in the control group.

Although lean body condition reduced the severity of osteoarthritis, it did not impact its prevalence.

5 / 5

How can the results of the Purina Lifespan Study help veterinarians today?

It reinforces that keeping dogs at an ideal body condition and weight from early life improves their lifespan and healthspan.

Based on two recent studies (Sutherland et al., 2024 and Davies et al, 2024), the most important message for owners when it comes to obesity-related recommendations is extension of their pet’s life. This landmark study provides reinforcement for that messaging.

The study showed that dogs kept at lean body condition throughout life not only had a longer median life span, but they had a longer health span and had improved biological age (indicating they were aging in a healthier way) than their matched control counterparts.

All of the above

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