OBESITY IN DOGS

Obesity, the primary nutritional disease in the canine pet population, is caused by distributed nutrient ingestion, disturbed energy expendi ture, or an internal imbalance of these two processes. Nutrient balanc e is affected by the hypothalamus, neurotransmitters, vagal activity, and sympathetic nervous activity. Direct complications of obesity that are associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance include d iabetes mellitus and hypertension. Indirect complications of obesity i nclude effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, immune, i ntegumentary, and gastrointestinal systems. A successful basis for lon g-term obesity management involves changes in eating behavior and diet as well as the incorporation of exercise into the lifestyle of the pe t. The key to management is insightful client education.