How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?*
Obesity is a prevalent medical condition in dogs caused by the excess accumulation of fat, with negative effects on quality of life, longevity and the risk of developing associated pathologies. However, it is unclear how frequently first-opinion veterinarians record dogs as overweight (OW) or obese...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nutritional Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679014000421/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156027206270976 |
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| author | Nicola C. Rolph Peter-John M. Noble Alexander J. German |
| author_facet | Nicola C. Rolph Peter-John M. Noble Alexander J. German |
| author_sort | Nicola C. Rolph |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Obesity is a prevalent medical condition in dogs caused by the excess accumulation of fat, with negative effects on quality of life, longevity and the risk of developing associated pathologies. However, it is unclear how frequently first-opinion veterinarians record dogs as overweight (OW) or obese in medical records, and what factors determine when they do. Data sourced through the Small Animal Surveillance Network were used to determine the relative frequency of recording OW status (obesity or OW) in dogs presented to the UK first-opinion practices. Cases were identified using a search of clinical record-free text for relevant keywords. A case–control study was then conducted, comparing dogs where the OW status was recorded with a control group of obese dogs with no diagnosis recorded. Of 49 488 consultations, the OW status was recorded in 671 dogs (relative frequency 1·4 %). Using multiple logistic regression, the OW status of a dog was more likely to be recorded when the consultation was for osteoarthritis (OR 5·42; 95 % CI 2·09, 14·07; P < 0·001) or lameness (OR 2·02; 95 % CI 1·20, 3·42; P = 0·006). Furthermore, the OW status was more commonly recorded in dogs that were members of a practice health scheme (OR 5·35; 95 % CI 1·57, 18·17; P = 0·04) and less commonly recorded in microchipped dogs (OR 0·43; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·91; P = 0·02). These results suggest that OW and obesity are underdiagnosed in the first-opinion practice. However, a presentation for orthopaedic disease appears a key prompt for recording the OW status. Further studies are now warranted to determine the reasons for such marked underdiagnosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:44:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fc9049c180784bffbbdae9ae26410a2f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2048-6790 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:44:36Z |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Nutritional Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-fc9049c180784bffbbdae9ae26410a2f2023-03-09T12:38:43ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Nutritional Science2048-67902014-01-01310.1017/jns.2014.42How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?*Nicola C. Rolph0Peter-John M. Noble1Alexander J. German2School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UKSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UKDepartment of Obesity and Endocrinology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UKObesity is a prevalent medical condition in dogs caused by the excess accumulation of fat, with negative effects on quality of life, longevity and the risk of developing associated pathologies. However, it is unclear how frequently first-opinion veterinarians record dogs as overweight (OW) or obese in medical records, and what factors determine when they do. Data sourced through the Small Animal Surveillance Network were used to determine the relative frequency of recording OW status (obesity or OW) in dogs presented to the UK first-opinion practices. Cases were identified using a search of clinical record-free text for relevant keywords. A case–control study was then conducted, comparing dogs where the OW status was recorded with a control group of obese dogs with no diagnosis recorded. Of 49 488 consultations, the OW status was recorded in 671 dogs (relative frequency 1·4 %). Using multiple logistic regression, the OW status of a dog was more likely to be recorded when the consultation was for osteoarthritis (OR 5·42; 95 % CI 2·09, 14·07; P < 0·001) or lameness (OR 2·02; 95 % CI 1·20, 3·42; P = 0·006). Furthermore, the OW status was more commonly recorded in dogs that were members of a practice health scheme (OR 5·35; 95 % CI 1·57, 18·17; P = 0·04) and less commonly recorded in microchipped dogs (OR 0·43; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·91; P = 0·02). These results suggest that OW and obesity are underdiagnosed in the first-opinion practice. However, a presentation for orthopaedic disease appears a key prompt for recording the OW status. Further studies are now warranted to determine the reasons for such marked underdiagnosis.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679014000421/type/journal_articleObesityCanine nutritionPractice surveillance |
| spellingShingle | Nicola C. Rolph Peter-John M. Noble Alexander J. German How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?* Journal of Nutritional Science Obesity Canine nutrition Practice surveillance |
| title | How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?* |
| title_full | How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?* |
| title_fullStr | How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?* |
| title_full_unstemmed | How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?* |
| title_short | How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?* |
| title_sort | how often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs |
| topic | Obesity Canine nutrition Practice surveillance |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679014000421/type/journal_article |
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