Better Language, Better Data, Better Pet Obesity Care | APOP
In the May 2026 issue of the APOP bulletin, Dr. Ernie Ward focuses on the language veterinary teams use in the exam room. Words like "chonky," "fluffy," and "big-boned" may feel kind, but in a clinical setting they can soften a serious health risk and delay care. Clearer terminology — framing obesity as a treatable medical condition — gives pet owners a plan rather than judgment.
The issue also opens the 2026 Pet Obesity Prevalence Study. Built around the body weight and 1–9 Body Condition Score data veterinary teams already collect, the study turns routine clinical observations into national evidence. Reporting begins during Pet Obesity Awareness Month in October 2026.
→ Read the full May 2026 issue
