References

Pax lost a 23 percent of his body weight. His body condition score improved from 8/9 to 5/9 by the end of the SLIM study. Courtesy AKC. The statistics are overwhelming: Almost 60 percent of dogs and cats are overweight.1,2 Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder diagnosed in veterinary practice.1 Obesity often leads to a shortened lifespan, decreased quality of life, and increased risk of many diseases. Treatment options include decreasing calorie intake and increasing exercise. However, what if you could do more? What if you had something else in your toolbox to combat canine obesity? There is increasing evidence the intestinal microbiota contributes to obesity in multiple species. The bacteria, fungi, and protozoal organisms living in the intestinal tract are a dynamic population that influence energy use and storage by the host organism. Can we manipulate this ecosystem to treat and even prevent canine obesity? Can we influence the intestinal microbiota to achieve proper energy balance? The SLIM study Researchers at The Ohio State University, funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), are working to answer these important questions. The SLIM study was launched in 2020 to assess the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an adjunctive treatment for canine obesity. This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial recruited client-owned dogs to receive one of three obesity treatment plans: 1) Dietary management 2) Dietary management and FMT 3) Dietary management and placebo Participating dogs underwent testing to measure their weight loss, intestinal microbiota composition, and metabolic function. For dogs receiving FMT, feces from a healthy, lean donor were transferred orally via tasteless capsules. “Dietary management is successful in treating canine obesity,” says SLIM study principal investigator, Jenessa Winston, DVM, PhD, DACVIM. “But it takes a lot of work, time, and dedication by the owners and veterinary team to be successful. Even the most committed owners can get frustrated and discouraged. Human research was starting to show FMT might be helpful to treat obesity, and studies in mice showed a direct impact by the microbiome on body weight. Therefore, we wanted to explore if there was anything we can do to make canine weight loss faster and easier for all involved.” Current stats So far, 25 dogs have completed the study with fantastic results. “Every dog in the study lost weight,” Dr. Winston says. “The owners are happy, and report increased energy and activity in their dogs.” For example: study participant Pax lost 23 percent of his body weight over the 24-week trial and improved his body condition score from 8/9 to 5/9. His owner reports a marked improvement in his energy levels. Now that the clinical phase of this trial is complete, the real work of data analysis begins. A first-of-its-kind multi-omics approach will evaluate the intestinal microbiota of participating dogs through DNA sequencing and measuring metabolites to assess functional changes in the gut. Winston notes even if FMT does not directly speed up weight loss, it could still have a powerful impact on health. “There are many hidden sequelae to obesity,” she says. “Even though the owners can’t see it – inflammation, insulin resistance, and other health problems accompany canine obesity. FMT could help treat these complications and restore a state of health, even though dietary management will take longer to achieve visible weight reduction.” The SLIM study will also provide valuable data on the FMT procedure in dogs. How do intestinal microbes grow and change following the transplant? Do the donor microbes engraft in the new host? What is an effective dose and frequency for FMT in dogs? This work will lay the foundation for future FMT studies in obesity and other canine diseases. A veterinarian’s role While FMT is not commonly used in veterinary practice, Winston leads the recently established Companion Animal FMT Consortium. This group of international experts from 18 institutions and clinical practices—that actively perform FMT in dogs and cats to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and more—is drafting clinical guidelines for the procedure. The guidelines will provide detailed instructions for clinicians to screen donors, prepare the fecal donation, and monitor outcomes. Until those guidelines are published and FMT is more common in veterinary practice, clinicians can use resources from the American Animal Hospital Association (2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines available at www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2021-aaha-nutrition-and-weight-management-guidelines/home/) and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (petobesityprevention.org/) to help their patients reach and maintain a healthy weight. “Obesity is a disease. We need to treat it as such and give it the appropriate level of attention,” says Winston. “Don’t be afraid to schedule a follow-up consultation when you diagnose obesity during a general wellness exam. Obesity decreases quality of life and longevity for dogs. Owners are more willing to follow the treatment plan when they understand this.” The SLIM Study is just one example of CHF-funded research to develop more accurate diagnostics and more effective treatment and prevention strategies for canine disease. Sharon M. Albright, DVM, CCRT is manager of communications & veterinary outreach for the AKC Canine Health Foundation in Raleigh, N.C. She graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and practiced small animal primary care medicine in the mid-Atlantic region for fifteen years. She is a certified canine rehabilitation therapist and an Elite Fear Free certified professional. Dr. Albright’s passion for golden retrievers led her to Colorado in 2015 to work on the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study before returning to the east coast for her current role at the AKC Canine Health Foundation. She can be contacted at Sharon.Albright@akcchf.org. Learn more about the AKC Canine Health Foundation at www.akcchf.org. AKC Fit Dog program helps combat canine obesity To help promote fitness in dogs and people, the American Kennel Club (AKC) launched its Fit Dog program in 2018. To reward owners that walk a minimum of 150 hours per week for three months (based on American Heart Association recommendations), the AKC provides a logo car magnet. This allows participants to proudly declare their commitment to their dog’s health and fitness through regular exercise. In 2019, Fit Dog Clubs were introduced, encouraging local groups, such as training schools, veterinary clinics, and other dog-related organizations, to meet and accomplish fitness goals together with their dogs. The First Annual AKC Fit Dog Turkey Trot was held in 2021 with plans to make this an annual, non-competitive 5K walk/run activity to benefit the AKC Humane Fund. Because of the program’s continued success, a Fit Dog titling program is scheduled to launch in early 2023. Learn more about the AKC Fit Dog program at www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/ References 1. 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2014) 50 (1): 1–11. www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/weight-management-configuration/abstract/. 2. 2018 Pet Obesity Prevalence and Pet Food Survey Results, Association for Pet Obesity Prevention: petobesityprevention.org/2018.

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Fecal microbiota transplantation study results in fewer pooch paunches

Leveraging the microbiome to treat canine obesity

References