Obesity and concurrent disease: Time for a complete nutrition assessment

How often does a pet really have just one disease or condition, especially when obesity comes into the equation? CVC speaker Martha Cline, DVM, DACVN, a veterinary nutritionist at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, has already helped us sort through the "obesity paradox" that occurs when a patient is overweight and has chronic kidney disease-there's even a CVC doodle on best nutrition treatment practices for these patients.

Now Cline is back with thoughts on obesity and concurrent disease in general. Which takes precedence-helping to treat the disease by feeding a special therapeutic diet or combatting the extra pounds? Cline says that in some cases, weight loss can help improve the quality of life in a patient struggling with another disease. So it comes down to performing a complete nutrition assessment (and we have help here). Hear more from Cline: