Canine obesity - an overview

• Published in: Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics 2007-08, Vol.30 (s1), p.1-10
• Main Authors: GOSSELLIN, J, WREN, J.A, SUNDERLAND, S.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal health; Animals; appetite; body size; breed differences; dirlotapide; dog diseases; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - diet therapy; Dog Diseases - drug therapy; Dog Diseases - prevention & control; Dogs; drug evaluation; drug therapy; enzyme inhibition; exercise; ghrelin; literature reviews; microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors; obesity; Obesity - prevention & control; Obesity - veterinary; pet care; pets; restricted feeding; veterinary drugs; weight control
• ISSN: 0140-7783; 1365-2885
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2007.00863.x

Canine patients are generally regarded as being clinically obese when their body weight is at least 15% above ideal. The incidence of obesity in dogs is thought to be in the range of 20-40% of the general population and, since obesity is known to predispose or exacerbate a range of serious medical conditions, its importance cannot be overstated. Management of obesity through dietary restriction and increased exercise is often difficult to achieve and dependent upon owner compliance. Until recently there has been no authorized therapeutic medication available for weight reduction in dogs, and drugs used in people have proved unsuitable. However, with the development of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors for canine use, such as dirlotapide, the veterinarian has a novel method with which to augment traditional weight control programmes. This approach has the additional advantage that weight loss is achieved without dietary restriction or change in exercise regimen, providing encouragement for the owner to comply with subsequent dietary and exercise recommendations, thereby increasing the likelihood for long-term success.