Evidence based Rx Foods & Supplements
Rx Diet Protein Content Comparisons (are used with Dr Julie Churchill’s & other nutritionists recommendations below)
Canine diets (Hills, Royal Canin & Purina & OTC food comparisons)
Feline-diets (Hills, Royal Canin & Purina & OTC comparisons)
Contest Waiver
Evidence Based Weight Loss Diets & Supplements
Recent literature and seminars in veterinary medicine have indicated that protein levels of prescription foods and additives like isoflavones, carnitine, lysine and even EPA & DHA Omega 3 fish oils are important to help pets lose weight safely and effectively while preserving lean body mass.
1) Rx diets should be used whenever BCS is 2 points or higher on 9
point BCS score or are more than 20% over ideal weight (1)
2) Minimal protein levels should be met by food used for weight loss to insure preservation of lean body mass.
University of Minnesota recommends at least 1 gm of protein for
dogs per pound of Ideal Weight in their diet (higher is better) as they
lose weight to prevent catabolism of existing musculature. (Cats need at
least 2 gm per pound of Ideal Weight) .
Protein level of foods at www.vet.osu.edu
3) The ability of certain ingredients in pet food to increase weight loss, prevent oxidative stress and up or down regulate inflammatory mediators is gaining considerable attention (3).
4) Some supplements have shown effectiveness in helping pets lose weight and handle oxidative stress (4)
Foods, exercise & drugs
Evidence level
Grade I Slentrol® (dirlotapide)
Some therapeutic foods (dogs)
Grade II some therapeutic foods (cats)
Grade III many therapeutic foods (cats & dogs)
Grade IV some therapeutic foods (cats & dogs)
Owner education programs
Exercise and environmental enrichment programs
Nutraceuticals & Supplements
Evidence grade
Grade I L Carnitine supplementation (cats)
Grade II Omega 3’s (in dogs)
DHEA (use limited because of side effects)
L Carnitine supplementation (in dogs)
Grade IV Pyruvate, Amylase Inhibitors, CLA, and phytoestrogens
(Isoflavones), Diaglycerol, chromium, Vit A
Resources:
1. “Feeding for Fitness” Dr Julie Churchill DVM PhD Intl Rehabilitation Symposium Aug 13 2008.
2. “Obesity’s missing link: The union of metabolism, genome & disease” Dr Jane Armstrong DVM MS MBA DACVIM U of Minn
3. “An evidence-based review of the use of therapeutic foods, owner education, exercise, and drugs for the management of obese and overweight pets” Dr Phillip Roudebush DVM, DACVIM et al JAVMA Vol 233 No 5 Sept 1, 2008
4. “An evidence-based review of the use of nutraceutical and dietary supplementation for the management of obese and overweight pets” Phillip Roudebush DVM, DACVIM et al JAVMA Vol 232 No 11 June 1, 2008
Misc resources
Isoflavones Research Report Purina Research Report Volume 12 Issue 1
Obesity’s Missing Link: The union of metabolism, genome and disease Hills
Useful websites for additional information:
Texas A&M College of Vet Med website “Weight reduction calculator”
www.vet-medicine.net/vetmednet/index.php?pageid=5013
Ohio State College of Vet Med website “Comparing Prescription Diets” www.vet.osu.edu
