Success of a weight loss plan for overweight dogs: The results of an international weight loss study

Flanagan, John G.; Bissot, Thomas; Hours, Marie-Anne; Moreno, B; Feugier, Alexandre; German, Alexander J.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184199

Cited by 43 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The mean age value was numerically higher in group 2, but did not differ statistically from group 1, because 67% of dogs in group 2 were aged 1 to 5 years. In a study of international scope, the researchers also observed obesity in dogs from 1-year-old [6]. In the present study, young adult dogs presented excess body fat, compatible with overweight or obesity, possibly, due to early neutered associated with ad libitum feeding.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

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Evaluation of Coagulation Parameters in Dogs with Overweight or Obesity

Barbosa

Martins

Rosário

et al. 2019

Acta Scientiae. Vet.

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Background: Hemostatic alterations have already been well characterized in humans with body fat excess, being included in the list of obesity related comorbidities. Overweight and obesity are common in dogs; however, there is little information about the blood coagulation parameters in dogs with these conditions. The aim of this study was to compare hematological and coagulation parameters between lean dogs and overweight or obese dogs, including platelets count; prothrombin time (PT); activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), coagulation time (CT) and plasma fibrinogen concentration. Materials, Methods & Results:A total of 22 dogs (aged 1 to 10 years, neutered) were evaluated, 10 of them presented ideal body condition score (BCS 4-5) and formed the group 1 (control) and 12 were overweight or obese (BCS 7-9) and formed the group 2. The dogs were submitted to clinical evaluation and then to blood collection for the following laboratory tests: blood count (performed on automatic analyzer), quantification of plasma proteins by refractometry, determination PT, aPTT and plasma fibrinogen concentration using specific commercial kits, and CT by Lee-White method. Compared to group 1, group 2 presented a lower leukocytes and lymphocytes counts (P < 0.05) and a higher concentration of plasma fibrinogen (P = 0,026), but compatible with reference values. No difference was observed in the erythrogram, platelets count, total plasma protein concentration, PT, aPTT and CT between the groups. BCS was negatively correlated with leukocytes (r = -0.45) and lymphocytes (r = -0.60) counts and positively with plasma fibrinogen concentration (r = +0.56). Discussion: The reduction in lymphocytes led to a lower leukocytes count in the dogs of group 2. The migration of peripheral blood lymphocytes to adipose tissue has been reported in the early phase of the inflammatory process induced by obesity and could justify the reduction of circulating lymphocytes in overweight or obese dogs evaluated in this study; however, cytopathological assessment of adipose tissue was not performed. Fibrinogen has to be converted to fibrin for clot formation, so the concentration of this plasma protein is an important parameter for the evaluation of hemostasis. However, there are reports of increase in plasma fibrinogen as a result of infammatory processes. In group 2, formed by dogs with overweight or obese, the higher value of plasm fibrinogen concentration, associated with lower lymphocyte count, may suggest an early-stage inflammatory process. Similar results were described in obese humans, but also evidenced in obese dogs. Supporting this suggestion, the correlation analysis indicates that the higher the body fat excess (estimated by the BCS), the higher the fibrinogen concentration and the lower the lymphocyte count in evaluated dogs. Despite the higher concentration of plasma fibrinogen in group 2, no change was observed in the hemostasis of overweight or obese dogs, due to the normal values for platelets count, PT, aPTT and CT, excluding a hyperco...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

“…In the present study, group 2 was initially formed and all dogs in this group were neutered and presented overweight or obese; agreeing with epidemiological studies that evaluated the canine obesity [2,6,8]. Then, to compose group 1, which would represent the control situation, dogs were recruited with ideal BCS and also neutered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Evaluation of Coagulation Parameters in Dogs with Overweight or Obesity

Barbosa

Martins

Rosário

et al. 2019

Acta Scientiae. Vet.

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“…Contingency tables were used to assess the independence of the effect of each factor on percentage weight loss compared with all other factors. Stepwise regressions were set in such a way that each forward selection step could be followed by a backward elimination step if necessary using the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion (SBC) [ 28 , 29 ]), as previously described [ 30 ]. Complementary analysis of baseline data was performed using a classic general linear model (GLM) to assess the effect of the most relevant factors identified in the stepwise regression.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An international multi-centre cohort study of weight loss in overweight cats: Differences in outcome in different geographical locations

et al. 2018

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IntroductionFeline obesity is a worldwide concern which has recently been formally classified as a disease by the veterinary community. Management involves invoking controlled weight loss by feeding a purpose-formulated food in restricted quantities and altering physical activity. Most weight loss studies conducted in cats have been undertaken in research cat colonies from single geographic locations. The aim of this multi-centre cohort study was to determine the efficacy of a short-term dietary weight loss intervention in overweight pet cats across a range of geographical locations globally.Materials and methodsA 3-month (median 13 weeks, inter-quartile range [IQR] 12–15 weeks) weight loss programme was conducted at 188 veterinary practices in 22 countries, and involving 730 cats, 413 of which completed the programme and had complete data available. All were fed commercially available dry or wet weight loss diets, and median energy intake was 53 kcal/kg BW0.711/day. The Royal Canin Ethics Committee approved the study, and owners gave informed consent. Owners completed behavioural questionnaires assessing begging, physical activity and quality of life (QOL). Linear mixed models were used to assess the respective influence of time, age, and initial body condition score (BCS) on weight loss and behavioural observations.ResultsAt baseline, median age was 72 months (range 12–200 months) and median BCS was 8 (range 7–9). In all, 402/413 cats (97%) lost weight (mean 10.6±6.3%) during the programme at a rate of 0.8 ±0.50%/week. Based upon owner questionnaires, activity and QOL improved (both P<0.001), while begging behaviour decreased (P<0.001) during weight loss. The main factor influencing percentage weight loss was geographical location (P<0.001), with cats in North America losing less weight (median 7.2%, IQR: 4.4–10.4%) than those in both Europe (10.7%, 6-8-15.4%) and South America (10.0%, 6.2–15.4%). Differences in weight loss were also observed amongst countries (P<0.001), with cats in Argentina, Germany, and Italy losing more weight than cats in the USA, and cats in Germany also losing more weight than cats in Portugal.Discussion/conclusionMost of the overweight cats enrolled in this international multi-centre study successfully lost weight. The reason for the differences in percentage weight loss amongst geographical locations requires further study.

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“…While one recent study performed in Danish dogs found an increased obesity risk associated with desexing that was limited to male dogs [189], most other available studies find that the effect is present in both sexes. In addition, an international study of 926 overweight dogs undergoing a weight loss diet for three months found that intact dogs of both sexes lost significantly more weight during the study period than desexed dogs [192].…”

Section: Weight Gain and Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Urfer

Kaeberlein

2019

Animals

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Background: Desexing dogs is promoted for population control, preventative healthcare, and behavior modification. Common methods are orchiectomy and ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy. GnRH superagonist implants are available in some areas. Alternative methods like vasectomy and salpingectomy/hysterectomy are uncommon. The terminology used to describe desexing is inconsistent and contradictory, showing a need for the adaption of standardized terminology. Population Control: Surprisingly, empirical studies show no effects of desexing on population control in companion and shelter dogs despite desexing being consistently recommended in the literature. There is evidence for a population control effect in free-roaming dogs, where desexing also has benefits on zoonotic disease and bite risk. Population control in free-roaming dogs is mostly correlated with female, not male desexing. Health and Lifespan: Desexing affects numerous disease risks, but studies commonly neglect age at diagnosis and overall lifespan, age being by far the most important risk factor for most diseases. We argue that lifespan is a more important outcome than ultimate cause of death. A beneficial effect of desexing on lifespan is consistently demonstrated in females, while evidence for a beneficial effect in males is inconsistent. Studies are likely biased in desexing being a proxy for better care and desexed dogs having already lived to the age of desexing. Desexing reduces or eliminates common life-limiting diseases of the female reproductive system such as pyometra and mammary tumors, while no analogous effect exists in males. Disease risks increases across sexes and breeds include cruciate ligament rupture, various cancers, and obesity. Urinary incontinence risk is increased in females only. Various other disease risk changes show considerable variability between breeds and sexes. Behavioral Effects: Desexed males show reduced libido, roaming, conspecific mounting, and urinary marking frequency, as well as reduced male dog-directed aggression in a majority of males desexed for behavioral reasons. There is a detrimental effect on the risk and progression of age-related cognitive dysfunction. Desexed dogs may be less likely to cause bite injuries across sexes. The evidence for other effects such as human-directed aggression, human or object mounting, resource guarding, or shyness and anxiety is inconsistent and contradictory. There are few studies specific to females or individual breeds. Conclusions: The evidence for a beneficial effect of desexing is stronger in female than in male dogs; however, there is significant variation between breeds and sexes, and more research is needed to further elucidate these differences and to arrive at individualized evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.

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Success of a weight loss plan for overweight dogs: The results of an international weight loss study

Cited by 43 publications

References 34 publications

Evaluation of Coagulation Parameters in Dogs with Overweight or Obesity

Evaluation of Coagulation Parameters in Dogs with Overweight or Obesity

An international multi-centre cohort study of weight loss in overweight cats: Differences in outcome in different geographical locations

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

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