Information about life expectancy related to obesity is most important to cat owners when deciding whether to act on a veterinarian's weight loss recommendation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative importance of information communicated to cat owners during veterinarian-client obesity-related conversations. SAMPLE: Cat owner participants recruited via snowball sampling. METHODS: A cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed to cat owners who owned cats of any weight status. A discrete choice experiment design was used to determine the relative importance of obesity-related attributes to cat owners when receiving information from a veterinarian. RESULTS: A total of 1,095 questionnaires were analyzed. Participating cat owners resided primarily in Canada and the US. Impact on life expectancy was the most important attribute that would encourage participants to pursue weight management for a cat with obesity (relative importance, 32.66%), followed by change to cost of food (20.40%), future quality of life (20.38%), future mobility (14.40%), and risk of developing diabetes (12.15%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that cat owners consider the impact on life expectancy to be most important when considering whether to follow a veterinarian's recommendation for their cat to lose weight. When veterinary professionals are communicating about obesity in practice, there is the potential to increase owner engagement in weight management efforts for cats by emphasizing the obesity-related information owners prefer to receive.

Impact on life expectancy was the most important information to clients when considering whether to take action for an overweight or obese dog.

OBJECTIVE: To determine dog owner preferences for information communicated during veterinarian-client obesity-related conversations within companion animal practice. SAMPLE: Dog owners recruited using snowball sampling. METHODS: A cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed to dog owners. A discrete choice experiment was used to determine the relative importance, to participating dog owners, of information about selected weight-related attributes that would encourage them to pursue weight management for a dog when diagnosed as overweight by a veterinarian. RESULTS: A total of 1,108 surveys were analyzed, with most participating dog owners residing in Canada. The most important weight-related attribute was life expectancy (relative importance, 28.56%), followed by the timeline for developing arthritis (19.24%), future quality of life (18.91%), change to cost of food (18.90%), and future mobility (14.34%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that dog owners may consider information relating to an extension of their dog's life as the most important aspect of an obesity-related veterinary recommendation. By integrating dog owner preferences into discussions between clients and veterinary professionals about obesity, there is the potential to encourage more clients to engage in weight management efforts for their overweight or obese dog.

Exploring veterinary professionals' perceptions of pet weight-related communication in companion animal veterinary practice.

BACKGROUND: Pet obesity is commonly encountered by veterinary professionals, yet little is known about their perception of communicating about pet weight. The objective of this study was to explore veterinary professionals' perception of discussing pet obesity with clients. METHODS: An online survey targeting veterinary professionals was distributed via social media and veterinary organisation newsletters. Topics included respondents' perceptions of weight-related communication, factors related to approaching weight conversations and implicit weight bias. RESULTS: A total of 102 respondents to the survey were included in the final analysis. Avoidance of discussing pet obesity with certain clients was common (53.9%; 55/102). The most endorsed term for describing pets with excess weight to clients was 'overweight' (97.1%; 99/102). The pet's body condition score was rated the most important factor to consider when deciding how to approach a weight discussion with clients. Although only 29 participants completed the implicit association test (IAT), most of these participants were identified as having an unconscious preference for thin people. The small sample size limited the vignette analysis to descriptive only, and the IAT results should be interpreted cautiously. CONCLUSION: This exploratory, cross-sectional study provides early insight into veterinary professionals' perceptions of pet obesity-related communication and suggests the presence of weight bias in the profession that warrants further investigation.

Assessing owners' readiness to change their behaviour to address their companion animal's obesity.

BACKGROUND: Owner behaviour change in relation to management is critical for successful pet weight loss. The stages of change (SOC) can be used to conceptualise the process of intentional behaviour change. Clients may be more likely to make successful changes when practitioners use communication techniques appropriate for a client's current stage. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess pet owners' SOC in relation to managing the weight of their overweight or obese pet. METHODS: An online questionnaire targeting dog and cat owners was distributed via snowball sampling. A total of 532 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Of these, 153 participants (28.8%) self-identified their pet's body condition score (BCS) as greater than 5 (on a nine-point scale). An adapted University of Rhode Island Change Assessment scale was completed by 119 of these participants (77.8%) to assess their readiness to change related to managing their overweight or obese pet. RESULTS: Most participants were scored in the precontemplation (52.1%) and contemplation (42%) stages, where readiness to change is low. Owner assessments likely resulted in underestimation of pets' BCS. CONCLUSION: The results offer preliminary insight into the SOC of owners who identify their pets as overweight or obese. Developing tools to assess and understand owners' readiness to change may be useful in informing veterinary professionals' communication approaches when engaging in weight management conversations.

Pet owners' and companion animal veterinarians' perceptions of weight-related veterinarian-client communication.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pet owners' and veterinarians' perceptions of veterinarian-client conversations concerning pet weight and identify challenges related to communication about weight. SAMPLE POPULATION: Veterinarians (n = 24) and pet owners (27) in southern Ontario, Canada. PROCEDURES: 3 veterinarian and 5 pet owner focus groups were conducted with a semistructured interview format. Thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts was conducted. RESULTS: Pet owners valued weight as an important health indicator for pets yet did not expect to discuss weight extensively at every appointment. Owners expected veterinarians to provide options and tailor recommendations when discussing weight management. Owners appeared more concerned with underweight animals, whereas veterinarians focused on obese animals. Veterinarians identified communication challenges, including the perception that owners are uninterested in discussing weight and conversations can become adversarial. Veterinarians reported various benefits and challenges of using humor to address pet weight and emphasized that weight-related conversations often depend on the existing veterinarian-client relationship. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Some perceptions of pet owner expectations expressed by veterinarians in this study align with owner preferences, yet several opportunities exist for changes to veterinarians' approaches to weight-related communication with clients.

Veterinary professionals' weight-related communication when discussing an overweight or obese pet with a client.

OBJECTIVE: Pet weight may be difficult for veterinary professionals to address with clients, particularly when pets are overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to characterize the communication processes and content of weight-related conversations occurring between veterinary professionals and clients. SAMPLE: Audio-video recordings of 917 veterinarian-client-patient interactions involving a random sample of 60 veterinarians and a convenience sample of clients. PROCEDURES: Companion animal veterinarians in southern Ontario, Canada, were randomly recruited, and interactions with their clients were audio-video recorded. Interactions were reviewed for mentions of weight, then further analyzed by means of a researcher-generated coding framework to provide a comprehensive assessment of communication specific to weight-related interactions. RESULTS: 463 of 917 (50.5%) veterinary-client-patient interactions contained an exchange involving the mention of a single patient's (dog or cat) weight and were included in final analysis. Of the 463 interactions, 150 (32.4%) involved a discussion of obesity for a single patient. Of these, 43.3% (65/150) included a weight management recommendation from the veterinary team, and 28% (42/150) provided clients with a reason for pursuing weight management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings illustrate opportunities to optimize obesity communication to improve the health and wellbeing of veterinary patients.

Evaluating shared decision-making between companion animal veterinarians and their clients using the Observer OPTION5 instrument.

BACKGROUND: Communication practices used by veterinarians can impact client's involvement in decision-making. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of client involvement in veterinary care decisions and factors impacting client involvement. METHODS: A random sample of practising companion animal veterinarians and a convenience sample of pet owners were recruited. Each consultation was audio-video recorded and analyzed using the Observer OPTION5 instrument, adapted from human medicine, to assess veterinarians' level of shared decision-making. A mixed linear model was used to assess statistical associations between veterinarian, client and appointment-level factors and OPTION5 scores. RESULTS: Sixty veterinarians and 909 of their clients were audio-video recorded during a consultation, of which 717 interactions included a decision identified for analysis using the OPTION5 instrument. Elements consistent with shared decision-making were uncommon, with a mean OPTION5 score of 22.6 (median = 20.0; sd = 13.05; range = 0-75) out of 100. OPTION5 scores were positively associated with the length of the appointment and negatively associated with the veterinarian's years in practice when controlling for statistical interaction between client income and appointment type. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest an opportunity exists for veterinarians to incorporate more client involvement through increased use of shared decisionmaking behaviours during veterinary consultations.

Equations used to develop commercial dog food feeding guidelines and Canadian owner feeding practices in 2018.

Feeding guidelines on commercial dog food packages provide a suggested starting point for food provision for dogs. The equations used to develop commercial dog food feeding guidelines and the owner feeding practices surveyed were examined in this study. The equations used to develop feeding guidelines and the energy density calculation method (Traditional Atwater or Modified Atwater equation) were investigated for 200 dry dog foods sold in Canada. Not all energy densities of products were calculated using the modified Atwater equation, a requirement if claiming compliance with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Commercial feeding guidelines provide conservative estimates of pet dog energy needs. A survey of dog owners' feeding practices was conducted, with 739 responses analyzed. Respondents generally took appropriate action to manage the weight of their dogs through both exercise and dietary management. Further investigation should explore how owners may be successfully managing their dogs' weight without veterinary supervision.

Équations utilisées pour élaborer des lignes directrices commerciales sur l'alimentation des chiens et les pratiques d'alimentation des propriétaires canadiens en 2018. Les directives d'alimentation sur les emballages commerciaux d'aliments pour chiens fournissent un point de départ suggéré pour l'approvisionnement en nourriture des chiens. Les équations utilisées pour élaborer des lignes directrices commerciales sur l'alimentation des chiens et les pratiques d'alimentation des propriétaires sondées ont été examinées dans cette étude. Les équations utilisées pour élaborer des lignes directrices sur l'alimentation et la méthode de calcul de la densité énergétique (équation Atwater traditionnelle ou Atwater modifiée) ont été étudiées pour 200 aliments secs pour chiens vendus au Canada. Toutes les densités énergétiques des produits n'ont pas été calculées à l'aide de l'équation Atwater modifiée, une exigence si l'on prétend être conforme à l'Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Les directives d'alimentation commerciales fournissent des estimations prudentes des besoins énergétiques des chiens de compagnie. Une enquête sur les pratiques alimentaires des propriétaires de chiens a été menée, avec 739 réponses analysées. Les répondants ont généralement pris les mesures appropriées pour gérer le poids de leurs chiens par l'exercice et la gestion de l'alimentation. Une enquête plus approfondie devrait explorer comment les propriétaires peuvent gérer avec succès le poids de leurs chiens sans surveillance vétérinaire.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Lysine requirements in small, medium, and large breed adult dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the lysine (Lys) requirements of mature dogs and whether there are breed differences. The present study aimed to determine the Lys requirement in three breeds of mature dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique. Thirteen adult dogs were used, four Miniature Dachshunds (5.39 ± 0.71 kg; 1.05 ± 0.02 yr old, mean ± SD), four Beagles (8.09 ± 0.40 kg; 5.03 ± 0.09 yr old, mean ± SD), and five Labrador Retrievers (29.42 ± 2.04 kg; 3.30 ± 0.69 yr old, mean ± SD). After 14 d of adaptation to a basal extruded kibble diet, dogs were fed a test diet mildly deficient in Lys (Lys concentration = 0.36%) at 17 (Miniature Dachshunds) or 13 g/kg body weight (BW; Beagles and Labradors) for 2 d. The test diet was supplemented with one of seven isonitrogenous Lys-Ala solutions, resulting in a final dietary Lys concentration of 0.36%, 0.40%, 0.44%, 0.50%, 0.54%, 0.58%, and 0.62% (as-fed basis). Dogs received dietary concentrations of Lys in random order and no dog received the same order. Following 2 d of adaptation to the experimental diets, the dogs underwent IAAO studies. During the IAAO studies, total daily feed was divided in 13 equal meals. At the sixth meal, dogs were fed a bolus of L-[1-13C]-Phe (9.40 mg/kg BW); thereafter, L-[1-13C]-Phe was supplied with every meal (2.4 mg/kg BW). Total production of 13CO2 (F13CO2) during isotopic steady state was determined by enrichment of 13CO2 of breath samples and total production of CO2, measured using indirect calorimetry. A two-phase linear regression model was used to derive the mean Lys requirement, defined as the breakpoint, and the upper 95% confidence limit was calculated as the recommended allowance (RA) for Lys intake. For Miniature Dachshunds, the study was repeated with a feed intake of 14 g/kg BW, but Lys requirements could not be determined at either feed intake, suggesting a requirement below the lowest concentration and intake. Mean Lys requirements for Beagles and Labradors were 0.455% (59.16 mg/kg BW) and 0.440% (57.19 mg/kg BW), respectively, on a dry matter basis. Pooling the data for these breeds provides a mean estimate of the Lys requirement at 0.448% (58.21 mg/kg BW) with an upper 95% CL of 0.526% (68.41 mg/kg BW) on a dry matter basis. In conclusion, the Lys requirements of Beagles and Labradors are similar, while the requirement for Miniature Dachshunds is undetermined and likely lower. The estimated Lys requirement for Beagles and Labradors is higher than the National Research Council recommendation.