Page 520 - Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition

536 Small Animal Clinical Nutrition

VetBooks.ir CASE 27-1

Respiratory Distress in an Obese Miniature Poodle
William J. Burkholder, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVN*
College of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A & M University
College Station, Texas, USA

Patient Assessment
A four-year-old intact male miniature poodle weighing 17.3 kg was admitted for coughing, dyspnea, cyanosis and exercise intoler-
ance. Physical examination findings were normal except for obesity. Results of a complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile,
urinalysis, thoracic radiography and fluoroscopic examination of the trachea were normal. Bronchoscopy revealed no abnormalities.
Cultures of tracheal and bronchial washings were negative for growth of pathogenic organisms. Lung scintigraphy showed no pul-
monary vascular deficits.
Body condition score was 5/5. Morphometric measures estimated 47% of the dog’s weight was fat. Optimal body weight was
estimated to be 9.1 kg, making the patient’s initial body weight 90% above optimal.
Assess the Food and Feeding Method
Table 1 lists the dietary history.

Questions
1. Estimate the amount of energy consumed by this patient each day.
2. Calculate the daily energy requirement (DER) for this patient at its estimated optimal body weight and compare this number
with the energy estimate in Question 1.
3. Outline a feeding, exercise and monitoring plan for weight reduction for this dog.

Answers and Discussion
1. The energy consumed by the dog each day is at least 1,247 kcal (5.22 MJ). This is estimated from the moist food (one can, 556
kcal/can [2.33 MJ/can]), dry food (one cup, 327 kcal/cup [1.37 MJ/cup]), commercial treats (five treats, 20 kcal/treat [84
kJ/treat]) and ice cream (one cup, 264 kcal/cup [1.11 MJ/cup]). The daily caloric consumption was probably higher because the
dog also ate various meats from the owner’s meals.
2. The resting energy requirement (RER) at the estimated optimal body weight is calculated as follows: RER optimal weight =
70(9.1) 0.75 = 367 kcal (1.54 MJ). DER would be approximately 1.4 to 1.6 x RER or 514 to 587 kcal (2.15 to 2.46 MJ). The daily
caloric intake estimated in Question 1 is much higher than the estimated DER (about double).
3. The initial caloric restriction was set at an amount slightly above RER calculated for optimal body weight. The owners were
instructed to feed no ice cream, meat or other table foods. The commercial treats were continued but fewer were given per day.
The food was changed to a commercial product containing less fat and more crude fiber. Caloric restriction was accomplished
using the specific foods and feeding methods listed in Table 2.
The owners were also instructed to walk the dog on a leash
daily. Initially they were to walk only as far as the dog could
tolerate without becoming dyspneic. The walks were gradual-
ly increased to 20 to 30 minutes per walk, once or twice a day.
The owners were asked to return every two weeks for the first
couple of months to weigh the dog and monitor progress.

Progress Notes
Figure 1 shows the weight loss that occurred with this feeding
plan and exercise. The coughing and dyspnea gradually resolved
after the dog lost approximately 2 kg.The owners noticed a dra-
matic increase in the dog’s activity after three months. The food
was changed on Week 34 of the weight-reduction program to
the foods and feeding methods listed in Table 3. Body weight
stabilized (Figure 1) and the dog remained free of respiratory
Figure 1. Progression of body weight loss compared with the mini-
signs and distress. mum (loss of 0.5% of initial body weight/week) and maximum (loss
Animals that are obese because of gross overfeeding are the of 2% of initial body weight/week) rates of weight loss.