OBESITY IN DOGS: USING DIET, EXERCISE PHARMACOTHERAPY TO CONQUER THE BEAST

摘要

Obesity is the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in body and has been defined to occur when dogs or cats are >20% over their optimal body weight. In humans, criteria have been established for what defines "overweight" and "obese," and these criteria have generally been based on the body mass index. However, no similar index for optimal body weight has been identified in dogs and cats, primarily because of the wide variation in body sizes and shapes, so the use of these classifications has notbeen rigorously studied. However, in general, dogs are considered to be overweight when their body weight is up to 20% over their optimal body weight or have a body condition score of 6 or 7, and obese when they are >20% over the optimum or have a body condition score of 8 or 9. Using these criteria, the incidence of obesity in dogs and cats in the United States is reportedly between 30-40%. More alarming, however, is the suggestion that the incidence of obesity in our pet population is increasing despite the many attempts to control weight with a variety of diet and exercise programs. Recently, a new pharmacologic tool (Slentrol~R) became available for use in the battle against canine obesity. The purpose of this talk is to provide an overview of this lecturer's experience with the drug in U.S. clinical trials and provide a background for further discussion about this new pharmacologic tool for obesity management.