Weight Loss and Diet in Cats

Vasconcellos RS, Borges NC, Goncalves KN et al: Protein intake during weight loss influences the energy required for weight loss and maintenance in cats, J Nutr 139:855, 2009.

The effects of various nutrients, such as protein and carbohydrate, on weight loss in cats are controversial. In this study, performed at the Universidada Estadual Paulista, Sao Paolo, Brazil, the effects of two diets with different protein levels on weight loss and maintenance was assessed. The control group of obese cats received a diet containing 21 g crude protein on a metabolizable energy basis, and the high-protein group received a diet containing 28 g crude protein. All cats were fed the diet until safe, controlled weight loss of 20% was achieved. After weight loss, all cats were fed a diet containing 28 g crude protein and were monitored for 120 days. During the weight loss phase, the control group experienced a reduction in lean body mass, whereas the high-protein group did not. Overall, the high-protein diet allowed a higher energy intake to achieve weight loss than the control diet, thus reducing the severity of energy restriction required. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
German AJ, Holden S, Bissot T et al: Changes in body composition during weight loss in obese client-owned cats: loss of lean tissue mass correlates with overall percentage of weight lost, J Feline Med Surg 10:452, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

Villaverde C, Ramsey JJ, Green AS et al: Energy restriction results in a mass-adjusted decrease in energy expenditure in cats that is maintained after weight regain, J Nutr 138:856, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Vasconcellos RS, Borges NC, Goncalves KN et al: Protein intake during weight loss influences the energy required for weight loss and maintenance in cats, J Nutr 139:855, 2009.

The effects of various nutrients, such as protein and carbohydrate, on weight loss in cats are controversial. In this study, performed at the Universidada Estadual Paulista, Sao Paolo, Brazil, the effects of two diets with different protein levels on weight loss and maintenance was assessed. The control group of obese cats received a diet containing 21 g crude protein on a metabolizable energy basis, and the high-protein group received a diet containing 28 g crude protein. All cats were fed the diet until safe, controlled weight loss of 20% was achieved. After weight loss, all cats were fed a diet containing 28 g crude protein and were monitored for 120 days. During the weight loss phase, the control group experienced a reduction in lean body mass, whereas the high-protein group did not. Overall, the high-protein diet allowed a higher energy intake to achieve weight loss than the control diet, thus reducing the severity of energy restriction required. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
German AJ, Holden S, Bissot T et al: Changes in body composition during weight loss in obese client-owned cats: loss of lean tissue mass correlates with overall percentage of weight lost, J Feline Med Surg 10:452, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

Villaverde C, Ramsey JJ, Green AS et al: Energy restriction results in a mass-adjusted decrease in energy expenditure in cats that is maintained after weight regain, J Nutr 138:856, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Esophageal Stricture Treatment for Cats

Bissett SA, Davis J, Subler K et al: Risk factors and outcome of bougienage for treatment of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats: 28 cases (1995-2004), J Am Vet Med Assoc 235:844, 2009.

Benign esophageal strictures (BES) can be a difficult problem for owners and pets as they can be costly to treat and are associated with a poor prognosis. Up to 30% of the pets affected can only be fed liquid diets long term. The most common cause of BES reportedly is gastrointestinal reflux associated with general anesthesia. Esophageal bougienage is a process of dilation of the esophagus with mechanical dilators. BES in the past has been primarily treated with balloon dilators. The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of esophageal bougienage to balloon dilation, considering that bougienage can be a more cost effective procedure. Eight cats with BES were evaluated as part of the study. Six of the 8 cats achieved a good outcome with bougienage, defined as a tolerance of solid food with regurgitation less than once a week. Cats with BES were most likely to have a recent history of general anesthesia, vomiting, or gastrointestinal tract trichobezoars (hairballs) than cats in a reference population. In 3 cats with BES, doxycycline induced esophagitis was the suspected cause of the disorder. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Glazer A, Walters P: Esophagitis and esophageal strictures., Comp Contin Edu Pract Vet 30:281, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

Leib M, Dinnel H, Ward D et al: Endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats, J Vet Intern Med 15:547, 2001.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Bissett SA, Davis J, Subler K et al: Risk factors and outcome of bougienage for treatment of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats: 28 cases (1995-2004), J Am Vet Med Assoc 235:844, 2009.

Benign esophageal strictures (BES) can be a difficult problem for owners and pets as they can be costly to treat and are associated with a poor prognosis. Up to 30% of the pets affected can only be fed liquid diets long term. The most common cause of BES reportedly is gastrointestinal reflux associated with general anesthesia. Esophageal bougienage is a process of dilation of the esophagus with mechanical dilators. BES in the past has been primarily treated with balloon dilators. The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of esophageal bougienage to balloon dilation, considering that bougienage can be a more cost effective procedure. Eight cats with BES were evaluated as part of the study. Six of the 8 cats achieved a good outcome with bougienage, defined as a tolerance of solid food with regurgitation less than once a week. Cats with BES were most likely to have a recent history of general anesthesia, vomiting, or gastrointestinal tract trichobezoars (hairballs) than cats in a reference population. In 3 cats with BES, doxycycline induced esophagitis was the suspected cause of the disorder. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Glazer A, Walters P: Esophagitis and esophageal strictures., Comp Contin Edu Pract Vet 30:281, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

Leib M, Dinnel H, Ward D et al: Endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats, J Vet Intern Med 15:547, 2001.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Methicillin-resistant Staph infections in Cats

Faires MC, Tater KC, Weese JS: An investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in people and pets in the same household with an infected person or infected pet, J Am Vet Med Assoc 235:540, 2009.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen that has been identified in humans, as well as dogs and cats. MRSA from humans may cause infections in pets, and pets may be sources of MRSA for human infection. In order to lessen the risk of transmission of MRSA between humans and pets, a better understanding of the role, if any, of pet-to-human transmission is needed. This report describes an investigation of the prevalence of MRSA in people and their pets within the same household in which MRSA infection was known to exist, and to compare the isolates identified within a household. Households in which MRSA infection had been identified in a pet within the past month (part 1), as well as households in which one or more persons had experienced >1 MRSA infection within the past year (part 2) were included. Nasal specimens from humans and nasal and rectal swabs from pets were collected and cultured for MRSA. In households with MRSA, both humans and pets, including cats, were found to be infected, and the isolates were indistinguishable whether from humans or pets. This indicated that cross-species infection could occur, though the direction (human to pets or vice versa) was not known. The authors speculate that humans were the most likely source for the pets, rather than the reverse as the isolates were related to community-associated human strains. In addition, the affected pets were not in contact with other animals, and thus likely contracted the MRSA from their human owners. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Epstein JH, Price JT. The significant but understudied impact of pathogen
transmission from humans to animals. Mt Sinai J Med. 2009 Oct;76(5):448-55.
>> PubMed Abstract

Springer B, Orendi U, Much P, Höger G, Ruppitsch W, Krziwanek K, Metz-Gercek S, Mittermayer H. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a new zoonotic agent? Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2009;121(3-4):86-90.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Faires MC, Tater KC, Weese JS: An investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in people and pets in the same household with an infected person or infected pet, J Am Vet Med Assoc 235:540, 2009.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen that has been identified in humans, as well as dogs and cats. MRSA from humans may cause infections in pets, and pets may be sources of MRSA for human infection. In order to lessen the risk of transmission of MRSA between humans and pets, a better understanding of the role, if any, of pet-to-human transmission is needed. This report describes an investigation of the prevalence of MRSA in people and their pets within the same household in which MRSA infection was known to exist, and to compare the isolates identified within a household. Households in which MRSA infection had been identified in a pet within the past month (part 1), as well as households in which one or more persons had experienced >1 MRSA infection within the past year (part 2) were included. Nasal specimens from humans and nasal and rectal swabs from pets were collected and cultured for MRSA. In households with MRSA, both humans and pets, including cats, were found to be infected, and the isolates were indistinguishable whether from humans or pets. This indicated that cross-species infection could occur, though the direction (human to pets or vice versa) was not known. The authors speculate that humans were the most likely source for the pets, rather than the reverse as the isolates were related to community-associated human strains. In addition, the affected pets were not in contact with other animals, and thus likely contracted the MRSA from their human owners. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Epstein JH, Price JT. The significant but understudied impact of pathogen
transmission from humans to animals. Mt Sinai J Med. 2009 Oct;76(5):448-55.
>> PubMed Abstract

Springer B, Orendi U, Much P, Höger G, Ruppitsch W, Krziwanek K, Metz-Gercek S, Mittermayer H. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a new zoonotic agent? Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2009;121(3-4):86-90.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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