Introduction

• Weight loss occurs when calorie expenditure exceeds intake for a duration that exceeds the capacity of the body's normal compensating mechanisms.
• Clinically significant weight loss exists when there is a reduction in body weight of 8-10% not explained by obvious historical factors, eg dehydration.
• Assess the optimum weight of a dog by reference to published breed averages for pure breeds. Assess cross-breeds in relation to pure breeds of similar size and stature.
• Body condition scoring Body condition scores is an accurate method of assessing animals in the clinical situation. It takes account of individual variations in stature within breed groups.
• Ideally, the same person should carry out sequential condition score assessments.
• Accurate, properly calibrated scales are essential for monitoring suspected weight loss. Measure once/twice a week on the same scales.
• Weight charts, histograms or graphs are useful for monitoring chronic cases.
  Many clinical data entry programs have this facility.

Causes of weight loss

Nature of pathological weight loss: lean body mass

Pathophysiology of weight loss

General approach

Summary - causes of weight loss

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Dunn J (1999) Ed Textbook of Small Animal Medicine. Saunders.
• Nelson R W & Couto C G (1998) Eds Small Animal Internal Medicine. 2nd edn. Mosby.