Osteoarthritis in pets on the rise alongside obesity epidemicJune 25, 2019The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in pets has skyrocketed in the past decade, with the condition seeing a 66 percent increase in dogs and a 150 percent increase in cats.
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Obesity: A threat that can be prevented easilyMay 7, 2019It would be interesting to see what a survey of equine horse owners and caregivers might think is the biggest threat to equine health. Colic might be high on the list, so would respiratory disease and arthritis. However, perhaps overlooked—at least in horse owner circles—is a very important and sometimes-even-thought-to-be desirable condition: obesity. Over the years, numerous studies on obesity in horses have been conducted in the U.S. and elsewhere. The problem, like the horses, appears to be growing. According to a recent report by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), obesity is the biggest threat to equine health. In the U.K., hundreds of horses are put down every year as a result of obesity-related health problems. The roots of the problem The causes of obesity are well understood. Feral horses thrive under conditions where they move continuously—25 to 50 mi. per day—while eating frequent, small meals of relatively poor-quality forage. (Wild horses are observed to eat virtually every hour, around the clock.) Domestication has changed almost everything about how horses live. For example: Most domesticated horses are confined, at least to some extent, limiting the distances they can travel. When they are exercised, often it is for short …
Pet obesity rates continue to rise in the U.S.January 3, 2019Pet obesity has increased in the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year, according to pet insurance provider Nationwide.
"Nutrition Essentials" e-book available for free downloadDecember 6, 2018Nutrition Essentials is a four-part e-book exploring the role of nutrition in keeping dogs and cats healthy in the areas of chronic kidney disease, dermatology, obesity, and oncology.
Confronting the obesity epidemicAugust 22, 2018Pet obesity is on the rise, although really, that probably isn’t a surprise to most veterinarians since the number of conference sessions, scientific studies, and therapeutic diets addressing this issue are increasing exponentially.
An inconvenient truthFebruary 16, 2018If you’re like me, you were raised to think that all dogs should be sterilized. Veterinary school and our lives in practice further reinforced that truism. Dogs, we were reverently informed, require sterilization if they’re to live long, healthy lives.
Fit from fatSeptember 21, 2017I must confess: I believe most pet owners dread hearing me suggest a weight loss plan for their pet. I also confide that I think many veterinarians tremble at the thought of proposing a weight loss plan. To further complicate matters, I believe pet weight loss is as much an art as it is a science.
How to talk to owners of obese pets for better patient resultsAugust 9, 2017A common misperception exists among veterinary professionals that addressing a pet’s obesity will offend a pet owner with obesity. This falsehood prevents many veterinarians from initiating a vital medical conversation, resulting in the avoidable suffering of untold millions of pets and owners spending countless millions in preventable pet care costs.
Beyond the Belly: The health consequences of pet obesityJuly 27, 2017During the past 20 years, I’ve heard all the clever wordplay: “Pet obesity is a huge problem!” “The number of overweight pets is growing!” “Obesity rates continue to expand!” “Weight-related medical bills are stretching pet owners’ budgets!”
Vets work to declare pet obesity a diseaseJanuary 9, 2017Is obesity a disease? The American Medical Association officially recognized human obesity as such in 2013. In veterinary medicine, the answer is “no”—for now.
