By Dr. Johnathan Pierce
We are past the holidays. We enjoyed the company of our friends and loved ones (some we only see once a year), likely traveled, and indulged in some spectacular food. We are likely looking at our own waistlines and thinking we need to shed a few pounds. What about your pet?
A healthy weight is very important not only for us but also for our canine and feline companions. They share some of the same risks to their health as we do when we are overweight. Here are some of the most common:
Diabetes The inability to utilize or even produce insulin which is key in the metabolism and regulation of sugar in the blood. Genetic risk factors as well as obesity and diet play a large role in its development.
Arthritis Joint damage and inflammation is increased significantly when a pet is overweight. Just a 10% increase in body weight can increase the risk by five times or more.
Ligament Disease Being overweight not only increases the stress on the joints but also stress on the soft tissues that hold them together. Cranial cruciate tears (ACL tear in human medicine) are much more likely to occur in overweight patients. These tears will accelerate the rate of arthritis development due to the abnormal looseness and movement in the joint.
IVDD (intervertebral disk disease) Certain breeds are predisposed to issues with their backs which can lead to severe pain, paresis and possibly even paralysis. This is one of the most common issues that we diagnose in breeds such as dachshunds, beagles, corgis and French bulldogs.
Cardiac Disease Although our pets do have heart attacks due to coronary vessel blockage like we can, obesity can lead to hypertension and an increased risk of heart disease such as heart enlargement and valve deficiencies.
There are many other diseases that are influenced by an increased body condition ranging from overweight to obese. White fat has also been linked to increased inflammation in the body which in turn has its own detrimental effect. Helping our pets achieve and maintain a good body condition and healthy weight will help them live a longer, happier, and healthier life. Your veterinarian can help you with dietary decisions for your pet. Remember that “natural,” “organic,” “holistic” and other such labels on food tell you that there are restrictions on some things but can still make your pet overweight if fed improperly. Your veterinarian will help you with accurate determination of your pet’s body condition and extrapolating a good target weight. Here are some guidelines. www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/weight-management/weightmgmt_bodyconditionscoring.pdf
Island Life Animal Hospital
Dr. Danielle Gallo & Dr. Johnathan Pierce
5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107
Saint Petersburg, FL 33715
727-289-3776
islandlifeanimalhospital.vet