The growing issue of obesity in dogs and cats Most communities in the United States do not have an exact data on the numbers of pet owned in each household, but the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), estimate that 144 to176 million pets are owned in the United States.1 There are various requirements and needs to consider when bringing a pet home, for instance, if the house is pet-friendly, the time it takes to train your pet, spaying and neutering, cleaning, taking them to the vet, and importantly and one the most neglected is their nutrition. Nutrition plays a key role in the development of many chronic diseases, the quality of life, and life expectative of our pets, therefore it is important for owners to properly understand
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In humans, the health benefits of diets low in fat and rich in complex carbohydrates on blood lipid concentrations are well recognized, therefore more complex research on this subject is recommended to understand the relationship of biomarkers and obesity.5-6 In humans there are various methods for diagnosing obesity, but most of them are not transferable when pets are examined by veterinarians such is the case of body mass index, due to a wide variables among breeds.5 Studies have assessed the validity of using plasma leptin concentration as a diagnostic biomarker of obesity in dogs.5-6 In humans, Leptin a protein synthesized and secreted primarily by adipose tissue is believed to regulate fat storage in the body.6 The concentration of blood leptin in our body is known to have a positively correlation with the body fat content and have to a higher concentration in obese patients.5 Therefore it is hypothesized that blood leptin concentration measurement in most mammals, including companion animals would have a similarly function to the research done in humans.5 Research has found a significant …show more content…
Research studies in dogs and cats have revealed a numerous health consequences that are developed due to obesity, including the increase of respiratory health problems, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, pancreatitis, shortened lifespan, spinal and joint problems, and risk of death as a result of obesity.7-9 Dogs and cats of all breeds can become obese, but as mentioned before there are some breeds that are more likely to occur than others. Obesity in pets and in humans increases the risk of developing, diabetes, and hypertension, in addition there is a negative correlation between obesity and pulmonary and cardiovascular functions.7Although the impact of obesity in the respiratory system of dogs, is a subject that researcher have insufficient research to this day. In his research Bach, hypothesized that obesity in Retriever breeds causes mechanical dysfunction of the airways, thereby increasing resistance during both inspiration and expiration in the absence of hypoxemia and increasing the risk of developing respiratory health problems, most notably the development of tracheal collapse in small dogs, laryngeal paralysis and brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome. Obesity not only have effects on the respiratory system but it can also have an affect the cardiovascular system. Obesity or overweight in pets can result in effects on cardiac rhythm and the increase of blood
In humans, the health benefits of diets low in fat and rich in complex carbohydrates on blood lipid concentrations are well recognized, therefore more complex research on this subject is recommended to understand the relationship of biomarkers and obesity.5-6 In humans there are various methods for diagnosing obesity, but most of them are not transferable when pets are examined by veterinarians such is the case of body mass index, due to a wide variables among breeds.5 Studies have assessed the validity of using plasma leptin concentration as a diagnostic biomarker of obesity in dogs.5-6 In humans, Leptin a protein synthesized and secreted primarily by adipose tissue is believed to regulate fat storage in the body.6 The concentration of blood leptin in our body is known to have a positively correlation with the body fat content and have to a higher concentration in obese patients.5 Therefore it is hypothesized that blood leptin concentration measurement in most mammals, including companion animals would have a similarly function to the research done in humans.5 Research has found a significant …show more content…
Research studies in dogs and cats have revealed a numerous health consequences that are developed due to obesity, including the increase of respiratory health problems, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, pancreatitis, shortened lifespan, spinal and joint problems, and risk of death as a result of obesity.7-9 Dogs and cats of all breeds can become obese, but as mentioned before there are some breeds that are more likely to occur than others. Obesity in pets and in humans increases the risk of developing, diabetes, and hypertension, in addition there is a negative correlation between obesity and pulmonary and cardiovascular functions.7Although the impact of obesity in the respiratory system of dogs, is a subject that researcher have insufficient research to this day. In his research Bach, hypothesized that obesity in Retriever breeds causes mechanical dysfunction of the airways, thereby increasing resistance during both inspiration and expiration in the absence of hypoxemia and increasing the risk of developing respiratory health problems, most notably the development of tracheal collapse in small dogs, laryngeal paralysis and brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome. Obesity not only have effects on the respiratory system but it can also have an affect the cardiovascular system. Obesity or overweight in pets can result in effects on cardiac rhythm and the increase of blood