Management of obesity

What are the different types of obesity?

• Clinical obesity - direct cause of disease

• Pre-clinical obesity

What are the consequences of obesity?

• Direct effects on function

• Poorer quality of life

• Obesity-associated diseases

• Shorter lifespan

What are some obesity-associated diseases?

• Diabetes mellitus

• Orthopaedic disease (arthritis)

• Respiratory disease

• Neoplasia

• Pancreatitis

• Hepatic lipidosis

What are the different stages in management of obesity in cats and dogs?

• Diagnosis (estimate ideal body weight)

• Weight reduction phase

• Weight management phase

How do you diagnose obesity?

• Body condition scoring

How do you work out the ideal weight of the patient?

• Look back at the patients history

(may not work for the extremes)

• % above ideal BW x BW

• Current BW - answer = ideal BW

How do you achieve weight reduction?

• Controlling food intake is more effective than increasing expenditure (give less than the patient needs)

• It is not WHAT YOU FEED but HOW MUCH (though type of food is still important)

• Accuracy is critical when measuring food portions

How do you calculate energy intake for weight loss in a dog?

SBW = standard BW

MER = maintenance energy requirement

How do you calculate energy intake for weight loss in a cat?

What are the features of therapeutic diet?

• Decreased energy content

• Nutrients in balance for weight loss

• Lean tissue preservation

• Diet changes to reduce intake

How is a theraputic diet adapted to reduce appetitie?

• Increasing water content in diet

• Expanding food with air

• Changing shape of food

• Increasing protein and fibre

How do you measure the food out?

• Weigh

• Should not use a measuring cup

How should you feed your patient?

• Slowing food intake using puzzle feeders

• Can eat too quick if you give it to them in a bowl

What are the options for a multi-cat household?

• Cardboard bow that the slender cat can get into

• Feeder that will only open for the slender cat

For the different diets how much of the diet can be made up of treats?

• At maintenance < 10% of daily energy intake

• During weight loss < 5% of daily energy intake

  • Watery vegetables can be used (courgette)

How should you be exercising dogs?

Tailor exact plan to the individual dog - increase what they do by a third

How should you be exercising cats?

• Encourage play activity (1-2 mins twice a day)

• Food-based exercise

How do you monitor weight loss?

• Recheck every 2-4 weeks

  • Weight checks

  • Photography can chart progress

• Reduce intake (5-10%) if weight loss slows

How can you maintain weight loss?

• Stick with the therapeutic diet

• Gradually increase food intake, 5-10% every 2 weeks until you are at the energy intake for the ideal weight