Endocrinology, Genetics and Dietetics of obesity in dogs and cats

Question 1

Obesity is…

Answer 1

The most common nutritional disorder

2 types: hyperplastic and hypertrophic

Question 2

What info can we gather with BCS and BW

Answer 2

Estimate a sufficient diet
Calculation of an ideal BW
In the nine point system, each unit incr above the ideal indicates a BW 10-15% higher than the idea body weight

Question 3

Adipocytes and Leptin production

Answer 3

Leptin prod is proportional to the size of the adipocytes i.e the larger the adipocytes the more leptin

Question 4

What is overnutrition

Answer 4

The overconsumption of food and nutrients

Can lead to obesity

Question 5

Physio factors in obesity

Answer 5

1. Inadequate satiety centre operation
Leptin
NPY and its receptors 
UCP 1,2,3
T3 and T4
2. E intake is greater than expenditure 
3. Heat prod- the environment is too warn 
4. Other e.g neutering and age

Question 6

Obesity concepts

Answer 6

Overweight: 10-20% above the opt BW
Obese: >20% above the opt BW

Question 7

Obesity differentials (8)

Answer 7

Ascites 
Pregnancy
Neoplasm
Constipation
DM 
Hyperadrenocorticism
Acromegaly 
Hypothyroidism

Question 8

Obesity treatment (9)

Answer 8

Cyclic periodic changes with Owner compliance!!
50-60% of maint
Need to calculate the degree of obesity: weight now and weight of 1/2 yr old of that breed, also BCS
Vits mins in fortified/conc form otherwise will be def
Vit A to incr leptin max 300 IU
Incr fibre to 10-15% (usually 2%) in the form of low digestible starch like sorghum, barley and buckwheat
L-carnithine to carry long chain FA’s
Mitratapide (yarvitran)
Dirlotapide (slentrol)

Question 9

What is the BMI and how to calculate it

Answer 9

It is an alternative to the BCS and is preferred in cats?
Ribcage circum
Length of lower leg from mid patella (LLM)

Question 10

Fundamentals of the prescription diet

Answer 10

Decr ME and Fat

Incr L-carnithine and CF

Question 11

Objectives of Nutritional management

Answer 11

Promote weight loss to reach the opt BW
Avoid weight regain- maint
Rate of weekly loss is 1-2% BW in dogs and 0.5-1% in cats- must be careful of feline hepatic lipidosis
E intake< E loss– dont forget to include the movement of the animal

Question 12

What does overnutrition cause in large breed pups?

Answer 12

Osteochondrosis due to the muscles growing faster than the bones
Clinical signs: X legs and bear sole
Treatment: give 90% of the nutrient requirements and give the skeletal system 22 months to catch up

Question 13

Genetics:

Answer 13

Genetic hyperlipidaemia: lipids on blood during the resting state
Endocrine disease: genetic with no recovery
Treat with diet low in fat and high in fibre