The clinical and metabolic effects of rapid weight loss in obese pet cats and the influence of supplemental oral L-carnitine

The efficacy, safety, and metabolic consequences of rapid weight loss in pr ivately owned obese cats by means of a canned weight-reduction diet and the influence of orally administered L-carnitine on rate of weight loss, routi ne clinical evaluations, hepatic ultrasonography, plasma amino acid profile s, and carnitine analytes were evaluated. A double-blinded placebo-controll ed design was used with cats randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 1 4) received L-carnitine (250 mg PO q24h) in aqueous solution and group 2 (n = 10) received an identical-appearing water placebo. Median obesity (body condition scores and percentage ideal body weight) in each group was 25%. C aloric intake was restricted to 60% of maintenance energy requirements (60 kcal/kg) for targeted ideal weight. The reducing formula was readily accept ed by all cats. Significant weight loss was achieved by week 18 in each gro up without adverse effects (group 1 = 23.7%, group 2 = 19.6%). Cats receivi ng carnitine lost weight at a significantly faster rate (P < .05). Signific ant increases in carnitine values developed in each group (P < .02). Howeve r, significantly higher concentrations of all carnitine moieties and a grea ter percentage of acetylcarnitine developed in cats of group 1 (P < .01). T he dietary formula and described reducing strategy can safely achieve a 20% weight reduction within 18 weeks in obese cats. An aqueous solution of L-c arnitine (250 mg PO q12h) was at least partially absorbed, was nontoxic, an d significantly increased plasma carnitine analyte concentrations as well a s rate of weight loss.