Nutritional Imbalances in Companion Animals Flashcards
Obesity
1
Q
Obesity
A
- most common issue in SA practice
- rate of population that is being defined keeps increasing
2
Q
Problems for Obesity
A
- some factors are genetic
- as a vet, you need to identify as many risk factors are involved witht their condition
- brachiocephalic dogs are known for upper airway obstruction and therefore have a high risk when it comes to obesity
- Obesity contributes to other aspects of the dog
- SOmething that is compromised already by anatomy is made even worse by the obesity (respiratory issues)
- there is a set-point theory when it comes to animals as well
3
Q
Defining the Problem
A
- the stigma of obesity is a bit judgemental and translates into animals - negative stigma
- You may be trying to exercise the animal and get ridiculed so you end up not taking them out due to embarassment - need to clarify it as a disease and not just a choice
- high BMI (in human)can lead to risk of heart attack, etc. - acts a marker, but there is criticism because it doesnt take in muscle mass
- benchmark as to say that if your BMI is high then you may be more at risk -trying to find an equivalent measure in animals
4
Q
Consequences of Obesity
A
- obese dogs are harder to anaesthetise
- hard to monitor BP (ability blocked by fat)
- getting a blood sample is difficuly
- compromised airways - obesity makes it harder to manage –> labs: airway disease
- obesity will compound your problem list
- makes it that much harder to diagnose animals
5
Q
Obesity is associated with…
(cats/dogs)
A
- in a cat, developing diabetes is much more likely than in a human (about 2x fold risk)
- cats are also difficult to walk
- in dogs there are lesser numbers
- most common in SA: obesity on top of arthritic joint disease (part of getting older that accelerates with weight)
6
Q
Obesity complicates…
A
- physiotherapy with an animal that is obese is much more difficult!
- Not only the procedure you are doing is harder, but there is a risk of post-op failure with their obesity
7
Q
A
- first dog has respiratory diease (ECG monitor)
- second dog has had surgery for a cruciate repair - going to put way to much weight on either leg in trying to heal
8
Q
The Obesity Problem
A
- depends on if there is judgement behind the question whether the owner will be honest about whether they realize it
- ask in appropriate way!
9
Q
A
- this is a “best in show” laborador
- but this dog is obese!
- the standards of the kennel club have even changed
10
Q
Primary underlying cause of obesity
A
- are they intact or neutered? - this affects E
- but for the most part, these animals are couch potatoes at home
- in a research center - they exercise the dogs so sometimes the recommendations from studies arent effective for the lazy pets
- 20 hours of exercise a week needed
11
Q
Client Related Factors
A
- need to figure out if owners are meal feeding or “ad-lib/free” feeding -especially if they work
- there are individual variations depending on the eating habits of certain animals - but overall free feeding isnt recommended
- small children will feed animals constantly
12
Q
Breed Predispositions
A
- larger breed dogs and smaller breed dogs show up
- there is a difference though!
- may not be all genetics - may just be the type of people who have these pets
- often due to “cuteness”
13
Q
Reproductive Status
A
- need to cut back a bit back once they have been neutered
- (echo)
- more muscle you have the more energy per kilogram is used
14
Q
Aging
A
- slowing decrease in E requirement
- fat is not an inert tissue - it will need more E the more of it there is
*
15
Q
Life Style
A
- 10% or less of their total consumption should be from treats
- dont cut back on food and give more treats!
16
Q
Assessment of Obesity
A
17
Q
Body Condition Scoring
(BCS)
A
- body weight is important but this gives us a different kind of information
- If the weight is low and the BCS is high then don’t give a higher calorie diet, but monitor
- ideal body weight doesn’t always give you the answer
- also teach clients to take note of it
18
Q
Implimenting a Weight Loss Programme
A
- What is contributing to this dog/cats obesity?
- need to identify before just changing the diet
19
Q
Weight Loss Clinics
A
- a lot of nurses like to take over weight clinics, but you must remain engaged as the vet at a practice
- because a lot of weight appts are free then a lot of people dont engage with it because of that
20
Q
Successful Weight Loss Programmes
A
- going to be hard work and will take time
- need to reassure that it may take even up to 2 years to see some results
- you cant deny people to give them treats, but you can educate on what kind, when, how much. (veggies, etc.)
- or is they are going to do that, need to reduce their meal!
*
21
Q
Tips for Successful Weight Loss Programmes
A
- human nature is to top it up
- need to monitor how much each person in the household is giving
- may need to give owners a log
22
Q
Designing a Nutritional Plan
“Feed Less”
A
- feed less is only the tip of the iceberg
- think about practical where you calculate nutritional needs
- what are they feeding compared to what that nutritional value is?
23
Q
Designing a Nutritional Plan
(How much acitivity?)
A
24
Q
A bad current diet
(ex: Molly)
A
- it adds up!
- have them add up the calorie count
- this many calories will increase the obesity everyday
25
Q
New Diet
(ex: Molly)
A
- can use the familys habits of feeding non-conventional food and make it more reasonable
- will make it easier for them to comply!
- work with them to make a plan they can actually follow
26
Q
Calculating daily E deficit
A
27
Q
Weight Loss Program
A
- tell them up front how long it may take for them to lose weight
- one of the top goals is to get molly to stop begging for food! - helps the humans resist in the end
28
Q
Preventative Care
A
- can highlight that you need to adjust the plan
29
Q
Formulating the Plan
A
- deal with the disease first in certain situations!
- If there is kidney failure- don’t start with the weight loss
- don’t start with the obesity in the hospital
- RER- is a lower estimate (what animal needs to be based on their body weight)
- echo
30
Q
Plan: prescription a weight loss diets
A
- more protein will lead to higher satiety
- pure fiber will not get to the brain to tell them they are full
- aa’s will tell the dog they are full!
- If you eat quickly, your body hasnt had time to tell you that you are hungry so you are hungry much quicker than ifyou consumed food slowly
31
Q
Targets
A
32
Q
Diets
A
- not all diets will work
- some were diluted with fiber and all that really means (we know now) they toilet more often–> compliance lowers!
33
Q
High Protein Diets
A
- not always the answer to feed more meat
- still need to control the amount!
- If you feed a high protein diet to maintain weight, need to be aware of their exercise amount!
34
Q
Caution to High Protein Diets
A
35
Q
Exercise Regimens
A
36
Q
Follow-up
A
- communication with the client is very important!
37
Q
Other Nutrient Imbalances
(nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism)
A
- there are other incidences where there is an imbalance!
- yet, These are rare!
- NSH is due to improper nutrition in the growth phase- most commonly improper advice from the feeder
- need to be on a growth diet in the growth phase
- all meat diets have this risk, unless they are supplemented
- ex: cats can come in with spinal fractures due to an improper all meat diet
38
Q
Nutritional Imbalance and Clinical Consequence
(chart)
A
- being fed unconventionally can lead to imbalances that lead to some diseases
- don’t memorize, but be aware of consequences
39
Q
Exercise Regimens
(cats)
A
- cats are pretty smart - gimmicks only work for a little while
