Canine Obesity:-Risk factors and Diagnosis
VIKRAM SINGH GURJAR, RASHMI SINGH, ANITA SEWAG
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, PGIVER, JAIPUR (RAJUVAS)
Abstract
Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional condition in pets, and it results from the accumulation of massive amounts of adipose tissue, it is due to an imbalance between energy intake and energy consumption, which leads to a positive energy balance. According to recent studies, 34-59% of dogs visiting veterinary facilities are overweight, with 5-20% of them being obese. Multiple risk factors have been identified for canine obesity, which is primarily divided into Dog factors and Owner factors. There are numerous scientific techniques are applied to quantify the body fat mass and body composition of companion animals. The widely accepted and practical method is body condition scoring (BCS) using visual assessment and palpation adopting a 9-point scale system.
Key word:- Obesity, Risk factors, Canine.
Introduction
According to Pereira-Neto et al. (2018), canine obesity is a common medical condition and a known risk factor for obesity-linked metabolic dysfunction. It can significantly affect several physiological processes of the animal body, which will also be limiting the longevity of an animal. According to Markwell et al. (1990), obesity is a condition in which the body accumulates an excessive amount of fat. This is a result of an imbalance between calorie intake and utilization; when intake is higher, the body stores the extra calories as fat.
Boland (2014) noted that obesity is the most prevalent dietary issue now observed in our companion animals and that it is officially classified as a disease. It is defined as an accumulation of excessive amounts of body fat that places the animal’s health at risk. When a dog’s body weight is 15% above the recommended weight for its size, it is said to be obese (Laflamme, 2001).
Risk factors related to dog obesity
A. Dog factors
- Age:- Most recent studies have found that older canines have a higher risk for obesity (Mao et al., 2013). The prevalence of obesity appeared to peak around the age of 10 years and then progressively fall, probably as a result of older dogs begins to lose their weight because of various diseases associated with old age or fat dogs dying earlier than lean ones (Kealy et al ., 2002).
- Breeds:– Depending on the breed, different amounts of energy were consumed by different breeds. According to Usui et al., (2016), medium-sized dogs also had a higher probability of being obese (Beagles and Corgis), 1.4 times more obese than a toy breed.
- Gender:- According to Mason (1970), female dogs(32%) were more prevalent to obesity than male dogs (23%). Dog obesity is a condition that increases with age and has become more common in both sexes. According to Honrado (2018), female dogs have a significantly higher risk of becoming obese.
- Neutering status:- Robertson (2003) discovered that neutered dogs were 32% more likely to be obese than intact dogs of either sex were, at 15%. According to Usui et al., (2016), neutered dogs had a higher probability of becoming overweight.
- Eating with other dogs:- The feeding behavior of dogs may also be influenced by the social environment of mealtime. According to a phenomenon known as “social facilitation,” most canines eat more while eating with other animals.
- B.Owner factors
- Feeding frequency:- According to Colliard et al. (2006), offering 3 to 4 meals per day was significantly associated with a reduced risk of being overweight than offering 1 to 2 meals per day. According to Mao et al. (2013), dogs with several feeding schedules were more likely to become obese.
- Type of food:- Mason (1970) noted that dogs fed homemade food and table scraps had greater obesity rates than those fed commercial diets or proprietary canned meals. According to Yam et al., (2017), Owners could not accurately predict how much wet and dry food to serve. If dogs are to be fed appropriately, owners must be educated to improve these skills.
- Owner awareness:- According to Nilsson (2012), risk factors associated with preventing obesity and early obesity identification leads to improved health care. Many dog owners are unaware of their dog’s weight or the reasons why it is harmful. Therefore, to prevent obesity increasing the owners’ awareness about obesity and how the dog is kept in a healthy physical state may be one way to prevent obesity.
- Housing:- According to Robertson (2003), households with only one dog have higher obesity rates than those with two or more pets. McGreevy et al. (2005) noted that dogs living in rural and semi-rural areas had a higher risk of obesity than dogs living in urban and suburban areas. According to Bland et al. (2009), dogs living in households with more people were less likely to become obese because more people create a more lively atmosphere that increases energy expenditure.
- Owner income:- According to some studies, dog owner’s wealth and their pet’s weight status may be related since the owner’s eating habits affect the dog’s weight.
- Owner obesity and age:- Several studies have found that dog owner’s weight, age, and health have an impact on their dog’s food and exercise patterns, as well as on the prevalence of obesity and related disorders in dogs.
- Nature of the owner-dog relationship:- Scientific interest in the advantages of human-animal connections for human health and well-being has long existed. According to the findings of Coy et al. (2021), attachment is playing an important role in determining how a pet and caregiver interact and affects a number of factors that lead to pet obesity, especially in canines. Owner behavior has a negative impact on pet health, particularly if they provide their pets with negligent care.
- Exercise:- According to Antoniou (2019), dogs that get limited to no exercise or walk just once or twice a day for 15 minutes are more likely to become obese. According to Handl (2012), obesity prevalence and low levels of exercise are associated, and obesity lowers exercise tolerance as well as the quality of life and life span.
Diagnosis
According to German (2006), companion animal’s body composition and body fat mass may be measured scientifically using a variety of techniques. Body condition scoring (BCS), which uses visual assessment and palpation at a 9-point scale system, is a widely accepted and practical technique (Laflamme, 1997).
According to Burkholder (2000), the body condition score system is a semi-quantitative but subjective way to assess body composition while considering frame size.
German et al. (2006) developed a novel BSC system for companion animals based on a 7-point algorithm. Whereas 1/7 is extremely thin, 2/7 is thin, 3/7 is lean, 4/7 is ideal, 5/7 is mildly overweight, 6/7 is moderately overweight, and 7/7 is severely overweight, it was discovered that there is a highly significant correlation between BSC as determined by the 9-point silhouette system and the estimated body fat percentage.
According to Ward et al. (2018), the whole-integer method, one-through-nine (1-9) scale Body Condition Score for dogs and cats has been adopted by the international veterinary community. This system has been more thoroughly validated than those of other systems and has numerous benefits most notably its simplicity and speed, to ensure regular usage in veterinary practices. Additionally, the WSAVA Global Nutrition Panel has supported this method.
The two primary therapeutic options for treating obesity in dog includes dietary changes and increased physical exercise. So, it is advisable to adopt specially formulated weight-loss diets, which are often low in fat and calories while fortified with protein and micronutrients, as well as high-fiber meals (to provide satiety).
Conclusion
Obesity has become a major problem for both pet owners and practicing veterinarians on a global level, and its effects on lifespan and quality of life require newer methods of diagnosis and treatment. Pets with obesity may have a lower quality of life and have shorter lifespans due to their increased risk of developing a variety of diseases including osteoarthritis, laminitis, chronic inflammation, hepatic lipidosis, and diabetes.
It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to increase the owner’s awareness and knowledge about obesity and how the dog is kept at a normal body condition, persuade the owner about the negative effects of obesity and its management and control, and so on. Many owners do not know if the dog is obese, or the reason for causative conditions, or do not know why it is dangerous for the health of their pets, as a result, people do not spontaneously seek veterinarian advice. Thus, it is necessary to make people aware by veterinary professionals in the field of obesity in companion animals as a major medical issue.
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