Disease overview

Obesity, or the accummulation of excess body fat, affects approximately 25-30% of the general canine population. Obesity is a multifactorial condition where genetics, nutrition and lifestyle all play a part. The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene codes for a protein important for the regulation of appetite by the brain. A variant of this gene is associated with a dog having higher levels of food motivation, subsequently increasing appetite, body fat, and weight.

Gene name

POMC

Inheritance

Complex

Signs and symptoms

Visually apparent.

How is it diagnosed

Measuring body weight and using a body condition scoring chart are the easiest way of assessing if a dog is overweight or obese. Dogs are typically considered to be overweight when they weigh 10-20% above their ideal body weight and obese when they weigh >20% more than their ideal body weight.

Breeds at higher risk

Citations

Raffan E, Dennis RJ, O'Donovan CJ, Becker JM, Scott RA, Smith SP, Withers DJ, Wood CJ, Conci E, Clements DN, Summers KM, German AJ, Mellersh CS, Arendt ML, Iyemere VP, Withers E, Söder J, Wernersson S, Andersson G, Lindblad-Toh K, Yeo GS, O'Rahilly S. A Deletion in the Canine POMC Gene Is Associated with Weight and Appetite in Obesity-Prone Labrador Retriever Dogs. Cell Metab. 2016 May 10;23(5):893-900. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.04.012. Epub 2016 May 3. PMID: 27157046; PMCID: PMC4873617.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.