Practicalities of Obesity Care

Pet obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease that is thought to affect over half of all cats and dogs in the UK. Obesity is detrimental to health, reducing the quality of life and expected life span, and is associated with many other health risks. Every effort therefore should be made to return these pets to a healthy weight to restore good health and quality of life.  In simplistic terms, weight loss is achieved through diet and lifestyle alterations which bring about an overall reduction in energy intake. However, little is simple about managing obesity and caring for these patients can be complex and challenging.

This session will discuss the practicalities of proving obesity care in practice. The session will detail factors to consider from initial recognition and nutritional assessments to diet choice and monitoring weight loss plans to support the pet (and pet owner) to achieving their weight loss goals.

Georgia Woods-Lee

RVN CertCFVHNutrition VTS (Nutrition)

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Georgia Woods-Lee qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2004. In 2015, Georgia joined the ROYAL CANIN® Weight Management Clinic at the University of Liverpool, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, where she is now dealing exclusively with pet obesity care and nutrition. Georgia was awarded her Certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition in 2017, the American Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in nutrition certificate in 2019 , and her BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing (Top-up) degree in 2022. In 2023, Georgia was appointed as clinical lead for the Weight Management Clinic and currently works as an academic researcher whilst working towards a PhD in pet obesity.