Obesity, Exercise and Orthopedic Disease.
Osteoarthritis is common among aging canine and feline patients. The incidence and severity of clinical lameness are closely correlated to body condition in overweight and obese patients. Excessive adiposity may result in incongruous and excessive mechanical loading that worsens clinical signs in affected patients. Data suggest a potential link between adipokines, obesity-related inflammation, and a worsening of the underlying pathology. Similarly, abnormal physical stress and generalized systemic inflammation propagated by obesity contribute to neurologic signs associated with intervertebral disc disease. Weight loss and exercise are critical to ameliorating the pain and impaired mobility of affected animals.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Christopher W
CW
Frye
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Justin W
JW
Shmalberg
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Electronic address: dr.joesh@gmail.com.
Joseph J
JJ
Wakshlag
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal
Canine; Exercise; Feline; Obesity; Osteoarthritis