Open AccessThe Clinical and Metabolic Effects of Rapid Weight Loss in Obese Pet Cats and the Influence of Supplemental Oral L‐Carnitine
Author(s) -
Center S.A.,
Harte J.,
Watrous D.,
Reynolds A.,
Watson T.D.G.,
Markwell P.J.,
Millington D.S.,
Wood P.A.,
Yeager A.E.,
Erb H.N.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2000.tb02283.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cats , carnitine , weight loss , pet food , obesity , endocrinology , physiology , food science , chemistry
The efficacy, safety, and metabolic consequences of rapid weight loss in privately owned obese cats by means of a canned weight‐reduction diet and the influence of orally administered L‐carnitine on rate of weight loss, routine clinical evaluations, hepatic ultrasonography, plasma amino acid profiles, and carnitine analytes were evaluated. A double‐blinded placebo‐controlled design was used with cats randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 14) received L‐carnitine (250 mg PO q24h) in aqueous solution and group 2 (n = 10) received an identical‐appearing water placebo. Median obesity (body condition scores and percentage ideal body weight) in each group was 25%. Caloric intake was restricted to 60% of maintenance energy requirements (60 kcal/kg) for targeted ideal weight. The reducing formula was readily accepted by all cats. Significant weight loss was achieved by week 18 in each group without adverse effects (group 1 = 23.7%, group 2 = 19.6%). Cats receiving carnitine lost weight at a significantly faster rate ( P < .05). Significant increases in carnitine values developed in each group ( P < .02). However, significantly higher concentrations of all carnitine moieties and a greater percentage of acetylcarnitine developed in cats of group 1 ( P < .01). The dietary formula and described reducing strategy can safely achieve a 20% weight reduction within 18 weeks in obese cats. An aqueous solution of L‐carnitine (250 mg PO ql2h) was at least partially absorbed, was nontoxic, and significantly increased plasma carnitine analyte concentrations as well as rate of weight loss.