Plus-Hex CLINICAL
In obese dogs with hip and / or elbow osteoarthritis , body weight reduction will cause a decrease in clinical signs of lameness . Noticeable improvement may be seen after modest weight loss , in the region of 6.10 – 8.85 % of body weight , in obese dogs [ 28 ] .
Experimentally , relationships have been shown between canine obesity and hypertension [ 29 ] . There is a known relationship between obesity and hypertension and premature mortality in humans , and similar relationships may hold true for dogs [ 30 ] . Systemic hypertension is defined as a persistent and abnormal rise in systolic blood pressure above 160 mmHg [ 9 ] . This systemic hypertension manifests in two ways : primary ( essential ) and secondary . The latter is more common in dogs and cats and is related to a responsible comorbidity such as kidney disease , endocrine abnormalities and cardiomyopathies , among other comorbidities [ 31 – 33 ] .
In 2019 , the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ( RCVS ) [ 1 ] found that 80.3 % of veterinary nurses ( VNs ) were involved with clinics . Nail-clipping , parasitecontrol and weight-management clinics were the most common in 2020 . With such a large number of VNs being involved in VN-led clinics , it is crucial that they have the understanding needed to offer weight management clinics . The 2021 PDSA Animal Wellbeing ( PAW ) Report [ 15 ] includes statistics that support the rationale for VN-led obesity clinics . For example , 14 % of dog owners reported their pet to be overweight and 9 % of dog owners reported their pets to have gained weight since March 2020 [ 15 ] .
VNs have professional responsibilities to the animals they care for , their clients , the profession , the veterinary team , the RCVS and the public [ 34 ] , which can be fulfilled through VN-led clinics . Animal health and welfare are the primary considerations of VNs . By providing
VN-led clinics , they can prioritise animal health and welfare through preventative healthcare and providing additional care where appropriate .
VNs must be open and honest with clients and respect their needs and requirements , which can also be facilitated through VN-led clinics , during which a mutual respect often develops between the VN and the client . Examples include a VN being honest with a client about how overweight their dog is , even if the owner is in denial , and working with the owner to agree a new feeding routine for their animal that works around the owner ' s other commitments .
Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act ( 1966 ) outlines certain procedures that can be delegated to the VN or student veterinary nurse . These include giving medical treatment or carrying out minor surgery ( not involving entry into a body cavity ). However , the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for VNs [ 34 ] is very clear that first vaccinations , boosters and the extraction of teeth are not within the remit of the VN and are not covered under Schedule 3 .
As obesity is such a common problem , it is appropriate to discuss this topic in detail and relate it to VN-led clinics , as so many VNs offer such clinics . As there are many comorbidities associated with obesity in the dog , it is appropriate to explore the efficacy of VN-led clinics in managing the clinical signs associated with these comorbidities , to hopefully reduce related mortality rates and enhance the animals ' quality of life .
This article has three main aims : to outline VN-led approaches to canine obesity management ; to review current primary literature in the areas of nurse-led clinics and canine obesity ; and to make recommendations for future practice in relation to VN-led clinics , based on current evidence .
Volume 38 ( 3 ) • June 2023
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