SA 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)

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 the expenditure from walking?

How do you calculate the maintenance energy requirements?

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

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 box 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 (25-33%)

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

• continue weigh every 6 months