• Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. The British Small Animal Veterinary Association have a 1-9 body condition score scale for dogs and cats. BCS of 8 & 9 are considered obese with at least 30% excess weight.
• The BSAVA Statement on obesity: ‘In companion animals, obesity has a significant adverse effect on health and welfare including associations with various additional and often concurrent conditions or diseases, reduced life expectancy, functional impairment and poor quality of life'.
•  Cause: predominantly caused by inappropriate or excessive food with inadequate exercise. Less commonly caused by hormonal imbalances.
• Signs: excessive fat under skin and intra-abdominal/intra- coelomic. Lethargy, weakness, co-morbidities such as heart disease.
• Diagnosis: weight measurement, BCS, scans.
• Treatment: correct any nutritional imbalances, reduce high calorie foods, increase exercise.
• Prognosis: good, with owner engagement.

Presenting signs

• Excessive fat deposition under the skin or within the abdomen.
• Lethargy.
• Reduced inclination to move around.
• Co-morbidities such as heart disease Heart disease, pododermatitis, hepatic lipidosis Hepatic lipidosis, poor coat quality.

Acute presentation

• Animals may be presented as part of a routine check-up but often they are suffering from one of the co-morbidities before being brought to the clinic.

Geographic incidence

• Worldwide in pet species and animals kept in captivity.

Age predisposition

• There is no direct correlation with age but as mobility decreases with age then obesity can become more prevalent.

Gender predisposition

• Ferrets can be neutered at a young age, and this may predispose the females to weight gain.

Seasonal predisposition

• Ferrets naturally can gain approximately 10% of bodyweight in the autumn as a physiological response for winter.

Breed/Species predisposition

• Ferrets are obligate carnivores with a high protein (30-35%) and fat (15-30%) requirement Nutrition overview.
• They need small meals regularly as they have a high metabolic rate and a relatively short digestive tract.
• They eat between 5-7% of their bodyweight daily depending on factors such as age, season, pregnancy, etc.
• They lack a cecum and ileocolic valve and have lower concentration of brush border enzymes compared to other similar sized mammals.
• Gut transit time is about 3 h which means that their intestinal absorption is relatively inefficient, and they eat small amounts and often.
• They have a low requirement for fiber and carbohydrates.
• An unbalanced diet containing sugary treats can lead to obesity, especially when combined with low exercise levels.

Cost considerations

• Obesity can require veterinary input to formulate a healthy diet with follow up appointments to monitor response.

Special risks

• Osteoarthritis.
• Diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus.
• Pancreatic disease.
• Heart disease Heart disease.
• Pododermatitis.
• Bladder sludge.
• Dystocia Dystocia and reproductive system issues.
• Poor coat quality.
• Hepatic lipidosis Hepatic lipidosis.