Analysis of canine overweight and obesity

The aim of the work is to analyze the frequencies of canine overweight and obesity, also causes and options to control the weight. The objectives of the work are: • To find out what health problems usually have an obese canine. • To rate the dogs according to body condition score from 1 to 5 points. • To analyze the causes of canine obesity and to find out the impact of dogs feeding and living characteristics to them overweight. Investigations of the work were carried out in the Clinic of Small Animals of Lithuanian University of Health Science Veterinary Academy Dr. Leonas Kriaučeliūnas in the year of 2012–2013. The information about pedigree canine with overweight problems was collected in clinic in the period of 2012-12-01–2013-06-01. Also there were analyzed mixed breeds dogs, which visited this clinic in the period of 2013-08-01–2013-10-01. Also in the period of 2013-10-15–2013-12-23 there were published the questionnaire on this theme for canine owners online [www.apklausa.lt]. Determined the frequencies of canine overweight and obesity, assessed the influence on obesity according to breed, age, sex, and living conditions, also analyzed the disease prevalence on canine with overweight problems. The scope of scientific work are 48 pages, in these pages are 3 tables and 21 pictures. There were used 44 literature sources in this work. The results of the work are: There are about 19% overweight dogs (83% – overweight, 17% – obesity). Mostly of breeds with overweight: dachshund, french bulldog, West Highland white terrier, golden retriever, Labrador and pug. Older dogs have overweight frequently than young dogs. The overweight shows 4-5 years frequently between big dogs (more than 26 kilo) and 7-8 years between lesser dogs. Females are obese frequently than males. The results of the research from clinics: 65% female and 35% male have overweight. Obese dogs often have this diseases: deficiency of renal, heart, tumour of mammary, collapse of trachea, dislocation of coxa, inflammation of uterine, increase of prostate. Also, research shows that castration is one of the reason to have obesity: 39% of castration dogs have overweight and only 20% non-castration dogs have overweight