Veterinary Medicine - September 2007 - (Page S1)

CANINE OBESITY FIGHTING A GROWING TREND PARTICIPANTS Moderator Dottie Laflamme, DVM, PhD, DACVN Senior Research Scientist Pet Nutrition and Care Research Department Nestlé Purina St. Louis, Mo. Heather Prendergast, RVT Practice Manager Jornada Veterinary Clinic Las Cruces, N.M. Lynn Buzhardt, DVM Co-owner, The Animal Center Zachary, La. Rebecca Remillard, PHD, DVM, DACVN Veterinary Nutritionist MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center Boston, Mass. Julie Churchill, DVM, PHD Assistant Clinical Professor Companion Animal Nutrition University of Minnesota St. Paul, Minn. Obesity is a risk factor for disease. Not only does it increase the stress on the joints and heart, but excess weight increases hormone and inflammatory mediator release, creating chronic low-level inflammation. Educating clients about the importance of weight management is key to improving the health of at-risk dogs. Incorporating a high-protein, high-fiber, and low-calorie diet aids in designing a realistic weight-loss program. Identifying obesity Dottie Laflamme: Our topic today is obesity. In 1995, the largest study to date1 revealed that about one in three dogs and cats seen by practitioners was overweight or obese. Twelve years later, we believe that percentage is even greater. Why do you think we are struggling with obesity in our veterinary patients? Lynn Buzhardt: We see more obese pets because we have a society of sedentary owners and sedentary pets. The concept of what a healthy animal looks like is different than it was 30 years ago. Our ability to judge an overweight animal has improved tremendously. Veterinarians are diagnosing obesity more because we now have the proper parameters for scoring body condition. Laflamme: Heather, how do you determine if a dog is overweight? Heather Prendergast: We use the ninepoint scale, or body condition score (BCS) system—5 is ideal, greater than 5 is overweight, and less than 5 is underweight. Most clients choose a lower number than the pet’s actual score. I think an important factor is that owners tend to show their love by offering food or treats. Food makes their pets happy, which makes them happy, and they continue to offer treats even though the pets are overweight. Supported by Nestlé Purina 1 Photo: istockphoto.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - September 2007

Contents Letters Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. William J. Kay Idea Exchange Practical Matters Salivary Mucoceles in Cates: A Retropspective Study of Seven Cases Hyperlipidemia in Dogs and Cats Purina Insert The Latest Management Recommendations for Cats and Dogs with Nonketotic Diabetes Mellitus CE Form Product Preview Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - September 2007

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