Feline obesity: risk factors and clinical and metabolic findings

Abstract

Excess body fat can cause a series of metabolic and mechanical effects on the body. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the clinical, metabolic, and risk factors of overweight (OW) cats. For the acceptance of participation in the research, the tutors were asked to answer a questionnaire containing 34 questions and to point out the body condition score (BCS) on a sheet containing nine images of different scores (1 to 9 on a 9-point scale). Thereafter, the body evaluations were performed as a classification of the BCS on a scale from 1 to 9, with an ideal score (IS) of BCS 5 and OW for BCS > 5. Further, the lean mass index and morphometric measurements (thoracic and abdominal circumferences and height and length of the patella to calcaneal tuberosity) were performed to estimate the percentage of body fat. Systolic blood pressure was measured using the non-invasive Doppler method and blood was collected for hemogram and serum biochemistry (creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol). After these analyses, we sought to guide and raise the awareness of the tutors to promote the correct nutritional and environmental management of the animals. Thirty adult cats were divided into two groups, based on the classification of the BCS, with eight having an IS and 22 being OW. The OW group was found to have a low level of physical activity, hypercholesterolemia, and higher values of body characteristics. Additionally, there was a median agreement between the perceptions of the clinician and the tutors. Therefore, it was concluded that the main laboratory alteration found in the obese cats was hypercholesterolemia, which was a critical parameter. It was observed that a low degree of physical activity could cause excess weight gain. It was found that the guardians of the cats with ideal weight underestimated the BCS, which could contribute to the supply of excess food and consequently, obesity. Thus, this study was sought to guide and raise the awareness of tutors, to promote the correct nutritional and environmental management thereby providing welfare and quality of life to the animals.