Nonlinear mixed models of growth curves from domestic shorthair cats in a breeding colony, housed in a seasonal facility to predict obesity.

Obesity is highly prevalent in pet cats (Felis silvestris catus) and is associated with several comorbidities, yet very little is understood about the early life risk factors. The aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model that describes growth in cats, to determine which early life variables were associated with being overweight in adulthood and to identify when during life the overweight phenotype developed in a colony of cats. We used pedigree, birth and growth data of 212 colony cats that were fed ad libitum from weaning. A nonlinear mixed-effects model was fitted to the body weight data to describe growth curves. A subset of 146 cats that had reached 9 years of age was used to evaluate the body weight curves to 9 years, and candidate early life predictors of peak weight were evaluated using logistic regression. In contrast with other species, candidates such as maternal factors, birth weight and litter size were not significant risk factors for adult obesity. Male sex, body weight around 15 weeks of age and being born during the increasing photoperiod were significantly associated with being overweight at 9 years. The growth equation created can be used to predict peak body weight, when sex and season of birth are included. Thus, the trajectory to obesity is determined early in life in cats, and early intervention appears essential to prevent obesity in pet cats.

Corrigendum: Evidence in Practice - a Pilot Study Leveraging Companion Animal and Equine Health Data From Primary Care Veterinary Clinics in New Zealand.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00116.].

Owner and Cat-Related Risk Factors for Feline Overweight or Obesity.

Feline obesity is a highly prevalent disease that poses an urgent and serious challenge. Attempted treatment by weight reduction is often unsuccessful; a new preventative approach that focuses on the role of the owner may be helpful. This study used data collected from an international survey of cat owners designed to assess owner personality and self-control, owner-pet attachment, feeding practices, and the cat's body condition. Owner-reported body condition scores (BCS) of cats were assessed using images adapted from a 5-point BCS system and categorized as a binary dependent variable: overweight/obese (BCS 4-5) and not overweight (BCS 1-3). Owner-reported BCS scores using a verbal BCS scale were also used as a binary dependent variable. Of the 6,835 respondents, 30.5% described their cat as overweight/obese using the visual BCS scale, and 32.5% using the verbal scale. Multivariable logistic regression models were built using stepwise-backward selection. A total of 8 variables were significant using the visual score as the dependent variable, while 11 variables were significant using the verbal score as the dependent variable (p < 0.05). Low owner conscientiousness was associated with an increased risk of feline overweight/obesity (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.38), whereas preference for delayed reward was associated with a decreased risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.96). Contrary to expectation, indulgent (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.53-0.91) and inconsistent (OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.93) feeding practices appeared protective. Other significant variables (p < 0.05) included cat-related factors (age, gender, housing, source) and management-related factors (dry diet, supermarket dry diet, raw diet, stealing, hunting, and measuring food with a scoop). A third multivariable analysis was performed, using results from cats classified as overweight/obese using both scoring methods, compared with cats classified as a healthy weight using both scoring methods. A total of 10 variables were found to be significant (p < 0.05). There was significant overlap of results from all three analyses. The results of this study indicate that feline obesity is a complex problem, with many contributing risk factors. It is essential to recognize the importance of owner characteristics, and that the prevention of obesity in cats may require the development of a range of interventional strategies.

Evidence in Practice - A Pilot Study Leveraging Companion Animal and Equine Health Data from Primary Care Veterinary Clinics in New Zealand.

Veterinary practitioners have extensive knowledge of animal health from their day-to-day observations of clinical patients. There have been several recent initiatives to capture these data from electronic medical records for use in national surveillance systems and clinical research. In response, an approach to surveillance has been evolving that leverages existing computerized veterinary practice management systems to capture animal health data recorded by veterinarians. Work in the United Kingdom within the VetCompass program utilizes routinely recorded clinical data with the addition of further standardized fields. The current study describes a prototype system that was developed based on this approach. In a 4-week pilot study in New Zealand, clinical data on presentation reasons and diagnoses from a total of 344 patient consults were extracted from two veterinary clinics into a dedicated database and analyzed at the population level. New Zealand companion animal and equine veterinary practitioners were engaged to test the feasibility of this national practice-based health information and data system. Strategies to ensure continued engagement and submission of quality data by participating veterinarians were identified, as were important considerations for transitioning the pilot program to a sustainable large-scale and multi-species surveillance system that has the capacity to securely manage big data. The results further emphasized the need for a high degree of usability and smart interface design to make such a system work effectively in practice. The geospatial integration of data from multiple clinical practices into a common operating picture can be used to establish the baseline incidence of disease in New Zealand companion animal and equine populations, detect unusual trends that may indicate an emerging disease threat or welfare issue, improve the management of endemic and exotic infectious diseases, and support research activities. This pilot project is an important step toward developing a national surveillance system for companion animals and equines that moves beyond emerging infectious disease detection to provide important animal health information that can be used by a wide range of stakeholder groups, including participating veterinary practices.