Other Risks/Possible Benefits of Obesity.
Obesity is not a cosmetic or social issue; it is an animal health issue. The metabolic effects of obesity on insulin resistance and development of hyperlipidemia and the mechanical stress excess weight places on the musculoskeletal system are well established in the literature. Additional health risks from obesity, such as fatty accumulation in the liver, intestinal bacterial dysbiosis, and changes to renal architecture, are less well understood, but have been demonstrated to occur clinically in obese animals and may lead to deleterious long-term health effects. Keeping dogs and cats lean lowers their risk for development of certain diseases and leads to a longer and better quality of life.
Weeth Nutrition Services, 25 Chester Street, Edinburgh EH3 7EN, UK; Clinical Nutrition Department, Telemedicine Services, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, 1111 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027, USA. Electronic address: weethnutrition@gmail.com.
Lisa P
LP
Weeth
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*
Adipokines; Hyperlipidemia; Obesity; Quality of life; Renal