Metabolic Problems - Small Animals

Question 1

What level is obesity general recognised as in small animals?

Answer 1

20-25% above ideal body weight

Question 2

Why is there an increased risk with anaesthesia with obesity in small animals?

Answer 2

More difficult to monitor patientsAirway issues

Question 3

What is obesity associated with in cats?

Answer 3

Hepatic lipidosis with illness leading to anorexiaDevelopment of diabetes mellitus (3.7x increase)Urethral obstruction

Question 4

What is obesity associated with in dogs?

Answer 4

Risk for pancreatitisWorsening manifestation of degenerative orthopaedic disorders

Question 5

How does obesity complicate respiratory diseases?

Answer 5

Increases upper airway resistance and decreases functional residual lung capacity

Question 6

How does obesity complicate neurological disease?

Answer 6

Physiotherapy more difficult

Question 7

How does obesity complicate orthopaedic diseases?

Answer 7

Excessive stress on arthritic jointsDecreased mobilityHigher post-operative complications

Question 8

What are non-client related contributing factors to obesity in small animals?

Answer 8

Primary underlying cause causing imbalance between intake and expenditureExcessive intakeLack of exerciseMetabolic statusGeneticsLife-style

Question 9

What are the client-related factors that contribute to obesity in small animals?

Answer 9

Feeding practices and schedulesAd libitum feedingMultiple pets in householdSmall childrenMultiple members of family feeding

Question 10

Which dog breeds are predisposed to obesity?

Answer 10

Labrador RetrieversGolden RetrieversShetland SheepdogsCocker SpanielsChihuahuaBasset HoundsPugsDachshundsMiniature Schnauzers

Question 11

Why can neutering pets lead to obesity if owner not educated?

Answer 11

Reproductive status impacts energy requirements and owners do not mostly change amount fed post-neutering

Question 12

Why does feeding need to be adjusted with age in small animals?

Answer 12

Aging causes loss of lean body massEnergy requirements related to lean body massIf intake not adjusted then obesity occurs

Question 13

What needs to be incorporated into every physical assessment of an animal during a physical assessment?

Answer 13

Body condition score

Question 14

How can you ensure a weight loss programme is successful?

Answer 14

Educate clientClient gives full commitmentRegimen individualised to needs of patient and clientEffective and consistent communicationEstablish good rapport with clients

Question 15

What are some good ways to create a successful weight loss programmes?

Answer 15

Meal-fed rather than ad libitumAll meals carefully measuredTake full diet history with entire familyKeep a log of everything fed for 1 weekAdd some exercise into plan

Question 16

What must be done when designing a nutritional plan for small animals?

Answer 16

Calculate exactly what the patient needs and figure how much is actually fed normally

Question 17

What are the resting energy requirements for for a small animal?

Answer 17

70(current body weight)0.7530(body weight)+70

Question 18

What are the maintenance energy requirments for cats and dogs?

Answer 18

Cats: neutered - RERx1.2, entire - RERx1.4, active - RERx1.6Dogs: neutered - RERx1.6, entire - RERx1.8, active - RERx2 to 8

Question 19

Which animals should you never start weight loss programmes for?

Answer 19

Sick animals

Question 20

What energy requirements should we start with in at risk animals?

Answer 20

Maintenance energy requirements

Question 21

What energy requirements should we formulate diet plans to with already obese animals?

Answer 21

Resting energy requirements

Question 22

Why can reducing the normal amount of food not be a viable option for a weight loss plan?

Answer 22

May reduce other nutrientsAmounts may be so small that clients will feel guilty and not comply

Question 23

What should the target weight loss be no more than in a regimen?

Answer 23

2% of body weight per week

Question 24

What should be considered with high protein diets?

Answer 24

The impact of the diet on other systems

Question 25

How can cats be tempted to exercise?

Answer 25

Play time with toys - 10 minutes of high activityFood placed in toys requiring strenuous activity (should take place of regular meals)

Question 26

Describe the follow up for weight loss plans in small animals

Answer 26

Maintain good rapport and constant communicationSet up for several visits and many phone callsMake use of reminder post carsIndividualised reports for motivation

Question 27

What are the most serious nutritional imbalances in small animals?

Answer 27

Calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D

Question 28

When are small animals most vulnerable to imbalances?

Answer 28

Growth phase

Question 29

Describe nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism

Answer 29

Diets deficient in calcium, vit. D or with excessive phosphorous result in increased PTHManifests as severe osteopenia and hypocalcaemiaClinically see pathologic fractures, muscle twitching and seizures

Question 30

What are the consequences of excess calcium in a small animal diet?

Answer 30

OsteochondrosisPanosteitisRadius curvus syndromeWobbler syndrome

Question 31

What are the consequences of excess vitamin D in a small animal diet?

Answer 31

OsteochondrosisRadius Curvus syndrome

Question 32

What are the consequences of excess calcium and phosphorous in a small animal diet?

Answer 32

OsteochondrosisRadius Curvus syndrome

Question 33

What are the consequences of calcium deficiency in a small animal diet?

Answer 33

HyperparathyroidismPathological fractures

Question 34

What are the consequences of vitamin D deficiency in a small animal diet?

Answer 34

RicketsBowed legsPathological fractures

Question 35

What are the consequences of protein deficiency in growing dogs?

Answer 35

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Question 36

What are the consequences of taurine deficiency in cats?

Answer 36

Dilated cardiomyopathyRetinal degeneration

Question 37

What are the consequences of thiamine deficency in small animals?

Answer 37

Neurological signs

Question 38

What is the most common nutritional disorder that occurs in companion animals?

Answer 38

Obesity

Question 39

What are the three steps to effectively managing obese patients?

Answer 39

1 - Recognition of obsesity and establishing client commitment2 - Development of a program that meets the needs of the pet and the owner3 - Communication and follow-up with the client

Question 40

What are the three components that should be included in any weight loss programme for small animals?

Answer 40

Dietary modificationExercise regimeBehaviour modification