Focus on obesity

This session in the Exhibition Theatre with Georgia Woods-Lee covers how to communicate with pet owners concerning obesity care

  In this article, EBVS Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition, Cecilia Villaverde, explains the pros and cons of feeding dry or wet food to cats.

Georgia Woods from the University of Liverpool Weight Management Clinic explains obesity and how to recognise it, moving on to obesity care consultations and the role of the veterinary nurse, followed by recommendations, monitoring and long term maintenance. This one-hour webinar was first broadcast as part of BSAVA’s Learn@Lunch series. Learn@Lunch broadcasts are available to BSAVA members only and are free to attend - visit the education page of the BSAVA website for details of future Learn@Lunch webinars. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

The growing problem of obesity in companion animals has been a discussion point within the BSAVA. For the first time, the Association has provided a position statement and in this article Professor Alex German discusses the background to the development of the position statement and its key aspects.

Current estimates suggest that approximately 40% of pets in the UK are either overweight or obese. The condition is now the most common medical disorder of companion animals and a major welfare concern. This chapter looks at Defining obesity; Measuring body composition in companion animals; Pathological consequences of obesity; Risk factors for obesity; Therapeutic options for weight management; The six components of weight management strategy; and Prevention of obesity.