Application 2: Obesity in Companion Animals

Obesity is driven by a basic energy equation.  Any mammal that consumes more calories than it burns will put on weight.  Society has dictated changes in the basic eating patterns of both humans and companion animals such as dogs and cats.   It is estimated that up to 40% of the global population of dogs and 35% of the global population of cats are overweight or obese.

In the case of companion animals or pets, humans have control over eating habits of their pets and the ability for exercise.
 

Obesity in Humans

In Australia 47% of women and 63% of males are considered to be overweight and by 2010, 70% will be overweight and  48% of these men and 30% of these women will be obese.  In the US, 65% of adults are obese, as are 20% of children.  The cost is US$93 billion annually in medical care arising from direct healthcare, lost work hours and reduced productivity.  In the UK more than 12 million adults and 1 million children will be obese by 2010.  Global obesity markets are estimated to be worth US$2.5 billion and by 2012, they will have increased to US$3.7 billion.
 

Obesity in Companion Animals

Companion animals are so named because in today's society an increasing number of households look towards dogs, cats, birds or other forms of animals for companionship.  Households around the world continue to spend large amounts of money on humanising their pets, keeping them not only healthy, well-fed and housed, but also entertained and pampered both at home and when travelling.  In the US expenditure on pets (excluding horses) has more than doubled from US$17 billion in 1994 to about US$35 billion in 2005.  At US$14.5 billion, food expenditures account for the largest portion of funds spent on pets.

Obesity in companion dogs and cats occurs when the body condition exceeds the ideal body weight (BW) by 15%.  In a recent survey of a panel representing 7.5 million US households, 34.8% of cat owners considered obesity to be a primary concern.

Current Treatment for Companion Animals

Many pet owners feel that downsizing their pet's meals is an adequate remedy for their pet's obesity.  Based on an average human of 80kg, a meal might be 400-600g.  A cat weighs approximately 1/25 that of a human and should therefore be getting a meal of 20-50g, about the same size as a mouse.   Pets often have food at their disposal for extended periods - so the animal eats whenever it feels like it. 

Diets have also changed for dogs and cats. Today there is a commercial range of complete or balanced diets available for our companion animals, which we put in a bowl for consumption at their leisure.  These, however, tend to over-supply nutrition to under-exercised pets, leading to an excess of energy and potential gain in weight.

Treatments for obesity are almost exclusively restricted to the weight control market for pet food. This is the fastest growing segment of the pet food industry, growing a hefty 25% over 2004.  For America's 69 million pet-owning households (63% of US households), pets have become integral family members, with 70% of pet "parents" considering their pet's healthcare to be just as important as their own. 

While it may seem logical that the problem of obese pets is easily removed by simply feeding them less food, incidence figures show this is not happening.  In the absence of any regulated products specifically dealing with companion animal obesity, specific dietary solutions remain the only potential treatment.

Significant Markets, Few Competitors and Short Registration

Worldwide there are approximately 190 million dogs and 200 million cats (2000 figures). Pet spending has more than doubled from $17 billion in 1994 to an estimated $38.4 billion in 2006.  The pet industry is the most rapidly expanding sector of animal health and currently represents 48% of the total $230 billion spent on animal health.

Use of R-salbutamol as a treatment for obesity has the potential for global registration including already established markets such as the United States, Europe, Australia and growing markets such as China and Japan, where the number of companion dogs and cats is steadily increasing.  In China, for example, the population owning dogs and cats increased from 5% to 14% respectively in 1994 to an estimated 7% and 15% in 1999 which indicates the increasing popularity of dogs and cats as pets in China.

Rates of obesity in companion dogs and cats are similar.  In the United States, Europe and Australia, obesity in dogs is estimated to be in the order of 25-40%, while cat obesity is between 30-40%. 

An overweight pet is prone to a host of health problems, including diabetes, joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing and heart challenges.  Not to mention the reduced quality of life many of these animals suffer.  Certain breeds and species are susceptible.  In dogs, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and Beagles seem to be particularly prone to obesity.  Less active cats such as Persians are more prone to gaining weight than active breeds such as the Siamese.

Crash diets aren't good for pets, especially not for fat cats, who can develop a fatal liver problem if forced to lose weight too quickly.  A pet doesn't get fat overnight and they shouldn't be forced to change course in the same way.

R-salbutamol has the potential to offer a safe and effective treatment for companion animal obesity, namely:

• Decreases food intake
• Reduces peripheral fat
• Has an established safety profile
• Specific mode of action with no significant side-effects.

Registration of a potential product for companion animal obesity is discussed under the section "Regulatory Studies".  As it is not concerned with animals for human consumption, the regulatory process is more rapid than other applications of R-salbutamol such as those relating to use as a growth agent.  Stirling anticipates that significant revenues can be gained by early market  entrance in several different territories.