VNJ Volume 38 (2) April 2023 | Page 21

Plus-Hex CLINICAL feeding and exercise regime . A full dietary history can provide a helpful focus for targeted , positive changes . Try not to take an accusatory tone with the client , as this may make them feel defensive and consequently less likely to listen to or practise the advice being given [ 10 ] . Instead , be patient and listen to what they have to say . Create a constructive conversation around their input , as all answers can help in the creation of an individualised weight-loss programme for their pet . emaciated , ideal and obese using the ‘ knuckle test ’ ( Figure 2 [ 11 ] ). They may begin to understand why we , as professionals , score their animal in this way and may be more open to creating a weight management plan . Weight management clinics should be put in place by VNs to support an animal ' s quality of life . Confidently explaining to the owner why weight gain is an issue will help to earn their trust , encourage compliance and , ultimately , create a better quality of life for the animal .

If the owner is struggling with a plan , suggest starting slowly – for example , limiting the dog ' s favourite treat to half a treat per day for a while , then reduce it to one treat every other day . It might then be helpful to schedule a weight appointment for them , free of charge , as this could be an opportunity to provide positive reinforcement and praise . Once the owner starts seeing improvements , they are more likely to continue . BCS charts are useful , if used correctly . It may be beneficial to ask the owner to score their animal on the 1 – 5 or 1 – 9 BCS chart ( see Figure 1 ), so they can visualise their animal ' s weight in this context . Explain the difference between
Creating pre-made weight management packs can be invaluable , as they enable owners to take away evidence-based information on weight management and how to BCS their pet themselves , making them feel more involved in their pet ' s weight-loss journey . There are many reputable resources with pictograms illustrating how human food treats affect animals , which can be useful to include in the packs . Continue arranging monthly appointments for weight checks and weight clinics until both you and the owner are happy with the improvements in their pet ' s weight .

Pet Body Condition Score Guide

UNDERWEIGHT
IDEAL WEIGHT
OVERWEIGHT
OBESE
UNHEALTHY : BCS 1-3 / 9
HEALTHY : BCS 5 / 9
UNHEALTHY : BCS 7 / 9
UNHEALTHY : BCS 9 / 9
Lightly glide your fingers over your knuckles as you make a fist . A dog ’ s or cat ’ s body condition is underweight if their entire ribcage feels similar to this .
Open your hand and face your palm down . Lightly glide your fingers over your knuckles . A dog ’ s or cat ’ s body condition is ideal if their entire ribcage feels similar to this .
Open your hand and face your palm up . Lightly glide your fingers over the base of your fingers . A dog ’ s or cat ’ s body condition is overweight if their entire ribcage feels similar to this .
Open your hand and face your palm up . Lightly glide your fingers over the base of your thumb . A dog ’ s or cat ’ s body condition is obese if their entire ribcage feels similar to this .
Figure 2 . The ‘ knuckle test ’ for body condition scoring [ 11 ] .
REFERENCES
1 Royal Veterinary College . RVC study reveals extent of dog obesity crisis in the UK . Available from : https :// www . rvc . ac . uk / vetcompass / news / rvc-study-reveals-extent-of-dog-obesity-crisis-in-the-uk [ Accessed 16 February 2022 ].
2 Statista Research Department . Number of pet dogs in the United Kingdom ( UK ) from 2010 / 11 to 2020 / 21 ( in millions ). Available from : https :// www . statista . com / statistics / 515379 / dogs-population-inthe-united-kingdom-uk / [ Accessed 16 February 2022 ].
3 Farcas AK , Michel KE . ( eds .) Small Animal Obesity , An Issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America : Small Animal Practice . Philadelphia : Elsevier ; 2016 .
4 Williams K , Downing R . Obesity in Dogs . Available from : https :// vcahospitals . com / know-your-pet / obesity-in-dogs [ Accessed 22 February 2022 ].
5 VCA Hospitals . Body Condition Scoring Chart [ image ]. Available from : https :// vcahospitals . com / know-your-pet / obesity-in-dogs [ Accessed 22 February 2022 ].
6 Watson T . Managing nutrition and activity in neutered companion animals . Veterinary Times . 2013 . Available from : https :// www . vettimes . co . uk / app / uploads / wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache / 1 / managing-nutrition-and-activity-in-neutered-companionanimals . pdf [ Accessed 22 February 2022 ].
7 Towell TL . ( ed .) Practical Weight Management in Dogs and Cats . Chichester : Wiley ; 2011 .
8 PetMD . 7 Medical Causes Behind Weight Gain . Available from : https :// www . petmd . com / dog / nutrition / evr _ multi _ medical _ causes _ behind _ weight _ gain [ Accessed 18 November 2022 ].
9 Fascetti AJ , Delaney SJ . ( eds .) Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition . Chichester : Wiley-Blackwell ; 2012 .
10 Wright SA . How to Talk to Someone Who Is Always Defensive . Available from : https :// psychcentral . com / lib / how-to-talk-to-someonewho-always-gets-defensive # 1 [ Accessed 17 February 2022 ].
11 Healthcare for Pets . Pet Body Condition Score Guide [ image ]. Available from : https :// www . pinterest . co . uk / pin / 781374604097151514 / [ Accessed 24 February 2022 ].
Volume 38 ( 2 ) • April 2023
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