Canine Obesity : The risk of obesity is higher in dogs over 04 years oldThe old

Obesity and overweight can have a significant impact on a dog’s health and reduce its quality of life and life expectancy.

E.S.N

Weight gain in pets is due to an imbalance between energy intake and energy
expenditure (caloric), usually related to overfeeding combined with lack of exercise (city life). Behavioural
and dietary habits, including “feeding on demand”, the number of meals, eating table scraps, giving treats when the dog asks for food, extra food from other family members, fatty or high energy diets, or cheap dog food, can contribute to obesity in dogs. Other possible predisposing factors
include the breed of dog. Sexual status:
neutered dogs are more prone to obesity
than whole dogs. The risk of obesity is higher in dogs older than 4 years. Certain underlying pathologies such as endocrine diseases (hypercorticism, hypothyroidism) or diseases that limit physical activity (osteoarthritis,
respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases). Some pharmaceuticals such as progesterone, corticosteroids and anticonvulsants
can cause polyphagia.
Excess fat can interfere with the normal functioning of internal organs. Obesity and overweight can have a significant impact on a dog’s health and reduce its quality of life and life expectancy. Obesity is associated
with an increased risk of serious disease and exacerbates some pre-existing
conditions (joint and heart disease). Overweight and obesity may be associated
with an increased risk of serious medical
conditions including osteoarthritis, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes, anaesthetic and surgical complications,
skin and other infections and cancer.
Symptoms include signs of obesity (increased
weight of the dog compared to its optimal weight) and possibly clinical signs of concomitant disease (e.g. lameness in a dog with osteoarthritis). Weight loss is a major component of treatment for musculoskeletal
(osteoarthritis), cardiac, and respiratory diseases. Any weight loss that brings the dog closer to its ideal weight will be beneficial to the dog. It has been proven that dogs with an optimal weight live longer.
Medical treatments
The usual treatment of obesity is based on dietary measures (specific low-fat diet and amounts of food adapted to the dog) and physical exercise. Current obesity management
programmes include a thorough medical examination of the dog to determine
the stage of overweight or obesity, diagnosis and treatment of concomitant diseases (e.g. endocrine disease, osteoarthritis)
and development of a weight loss programme to ensure dietary control, as well as an exercise programme. Medical treatments have been approved in the EU as part of weight management programmes
for overweight and obese dogs. Drugs approved for use in dogs decrease energy intake by reducing appetite and fat absorption. The reduction in appetite is thought to outweigh all other effects and is of particular benefit when the deleterious
behaviours associated with food restriction become problematic. The key to success is to provide a nutritionally balanced whole food diet in combination with medication. In theory, most good quality balanced diets are suitable for this strategy.
Prevention
As with most diseases, prevention is better
than cure. Obesity has many implications
for health and well-being, including reduced quality of life and life expectancy. Thus, prevention of obesity, rather than treatment, is likely to result in a more dramatic improvement in the health and well-being of all dogs. It is important for the veterinary team to be proactive in addressing
weight problems in dogs, as this allows them to educate clients appropriately
about the dangers of obesity in their pet. The strategies discussed in the section
on lifestyle modifications can all be used to prevent and treat obesity