Objective To determine the association between body condition and disease in cats Design Prospective study Sample population Information on 1,457 cats without major illnesses from 27 veterinary hospitals in the northeastern United States Procedure Cats that had body conditions determined from 1991 to 1992, using a set of 6 body condition silhouettes, had their health experiences and body conditions assessed for the subsequent 45 years Cats were described by the following 6 body conditions: cachectic, lean, optimally lean, optimal weight, heavy, and obese Data obtained from medical records and owner interviews were collected, using standard forms Associations between body condition and specific diseases were analyzed Findings in cats with body conditions other than optimal were compared with findings in cats with optimal body condition Results Compared with optimal weight cats, heavy cats were 29 times as likely to be taken to veterinarians because of lameness not associated with cat bite abscesses Obese cats were also 39 times as likely to develop diabetes mellitus, 23 times as likely to develop nonallergic skin conditions, and 49 times as likely to develop lameness requiring veterinary care Cats considered thin (cachectic and lean) were 17 times as likely to be presented to veterinary hospitals for diarrhea Clinical implications Results of this study substantiate reports of health risks associated with excess body weight in cats Efforts to reduce weight in heavy and obese cats can lead to reduced risks of diabetes mellitus, lameness (presumably related to osteoarthritis and soft-tissue injuries), and skin problems unrelated to allergies Cachectic and lean cats are more likely to have diarrhea that is not associated with a definitive diagnosis

Associations between body condition and disease in cats.

The effects of ovariohysterectomy on bodyweight, composition and condition score were evaluated in 49 cats that were fed ad libitum and 11 cats that had their food allowances controlled with the aim of maintaining a stable bodyweight. In cats fed ad libitum, bodyweight increased by an average of 31 per cent in the 12 months following ovariohysterectomy compared with 3.1 per cent over the 12 months before surgery, and this was largely due to increased body fat content. There was no difference in weight gain between cats fed dry or canned foods, but weight gain was inversely related to age and bodyweight at the time of neutering. Mean bodyweight increased by 7.5 per cent in the controlled feeding group, compared with 3.6 per cent over the 12 months before surgery, and individual bodyweights were maintained to within 10 per cent of pre-neutering values in nine cats. The other two cats experienced substantial weight gain (+20 per cent and +36 per cent), despite being fed only 40 kcal/kg/day. There were no significant changes in body composition of cats with controlled dietary allowances and their condition scores were significantly lower than those of cats fed ad libitum. The results confirm a link between ovariohysterectomy and the development of obesity in cats with free access to food, and indicate that substantial reductions in energy intake are required to prevent weight gain in such cats.

Effects of feeding regimens on bodyweight, composition and condition score in cats following ovariohysterectomy.

Objective To determine quantitative values for components of body composition in clinically normal dogs of various breeds by use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and validate the precision and accuracy of DEXA technology in dogs. Animals 103 clinically normal sexually intact adult dogs. Procedure In a cross-sectional study, Beagles, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Pointers, Rottweilers, and nonpurebred dogs received total body DEXA scans. For the validation portion of the study, the results of DEXA scans of 6 dogs were compared with values obtained by chemical analyses of tissues from euthanatized dogs to determine the accuracy of this modality in dogs. Results Results (coefficient of variation) of the precision tests ranged from 0.10% for lean tissue to 5.19% for fat tissue, whereas accuracy tests revealed a difference between percentage bone mineral content and ash values. Body composition differed by sex, such as higher lean tissue and bone mineral content in males within some breeds, and among breeds. Regardless of body size or weight, the percentage of body weight that was bone mineral ranged from 3 to 4.0% [corrected]. Conclusions and clinical relevance Results of this cross-sectional study provide valuable body composition data for clinically normal adult dogs, which may have research and clinical applications.

Use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for noninvasive body composition measurements in clinically normal dogs.

Considerable debate exists regarding the most appropriate methods for controlling feral cat populations, both from humane and logistical points of view. The physical condition of feral cats has not been reported, and it is not known if these cats benefit from neutering. This study investigates the body condition of feral cats by measuring body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS; Burkholder, 2000; Laflamme, Kealy, & Schmidt, 1994), and falciform fat pad. The study includes lateral abdominal radiographs taken at the time of neutering of 105 adult feral cats for measurement of falciform fat pad depth and area. At that time we also assessed BW and BCS. One year later we assessed the effects of neutering on body condition by evaluating a subsample of 14 cats. At the time of surgery, the cats were lean but not emaciated (BW 3.1 +/- 0.9 kg; BCS 4 +/- 1; based on a 1 to 9 scale ranging from 1 [emaciated] to 9 [grossly obese]). Falciform fat pad depth and area averaged 7.1 mm and 197.4 mm2, respectively, indicating a small amount of fat. Fourteen cats, reevaluated 1 year after neutering, increased 260% + 90% in falciform fat pad depth, 420% +/- 390% in fat pad area, 40% +/- 4% in BW, and 1 level in BCS ranking (1 to 9 scale; all differences p <.001). Similar to confined socialized cats, feral cats gained significant weight and body fat after neutering.

/pdf/body-condition-of-feral-cats-and-the-effect-of-neutering-19wt5p698f.pdf

Body condition of feral cats and the effect of neutering.

Thirteen overweight domestic short-haired cats were fed a commercial low calorie diet for 18 weeks at an energy intake to lose weight; they lost an average of 18.1 per cent of their starting weight. An evaluation of their body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after the study suggested that most of the weight lost was composed of fat. The cats' lean bodyweight did not change significantly, but increased as a proportion of total bodyweight.

Changes in the body composition of cats during weight reduction by controlled dietary energy restriction.

The repeatability of body composition measurements in dogs and cats using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Changes in the body composition of the domestic shorthaired cat during growth and development.

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The repeatability of body composition measurements in dogs and cats using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Changes in the body composition of the domestic shorthaired cat during growth and development.