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Obesity in Dogs

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Normally, pancreatic enzymes are produced in an inactive state and travel through the pancreatic duct to the duodenum, part of the small intestine. Once they reach the small intestine, they are activated to begin digestion. With pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead of later in the small intestine. Think of this as if a time-release capsule that suddenly bursts before it reaches its intended target; in this case, the pancreatic enzymes start to digest before they should. Read more.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obesity in Dogs

 


Prosser Animal Hospital

460 Wine Country Rd, Prosser, WA, 99350 Phone: (509) 786-1393 Fax: (509) 786-7084 Email: contact@prosseranimalhospital.com Website: www.prosseranimalhospital.com

 

Obesity in Dogs

Obesity in dogs is becoming a problem.

In people, over two-thirds of all Americans and Canadians are overweight and over one-third (33%) of all adults are obese. Unfortunately, this same number now applies to our pets. Obesity leads to several diseases, both in pets and people. Type II diabetes, heart disease and arthritis are the most common weight-related disorders. As a group, overweight dogs have shorter life-spans than dogs with a well managed weight.

Diet and weight reduction are key things you can control to help your pet live as long and healthy a life as possible.

What is obesity?

Obesity is generally defined as weighing 30% more than the ideal weight for a given pet. With humans, the ideal weight can usually be determined by consulting weight and height charts. Since there are so many different breeds and body conformations in dogs, the ideal weight is determined by using a combination of weight charts and body scoring.

A simplified form of body scoring follows:

VERY THIN

RIBS - Easily felt with no fat covering TAIL BASE - Bones protrude with no tissue between the skin and bone SIDE VIEW - Severe abdominal tuck or "drawn" appearance OVERHEAD VIEW - Exaggerated hourglass shape

UNDERWEIGHT

 

Obesity in Dogs

RIBS - Easily felt with no fat covering TAIL BASE - Bones are raised with little tissue between the skin and bone SIDE VIEW - Abdominal tuck OVERHEAD VIEW - Significant hourglass shape

IDEAL

RIBS - Easily felt with slight (<1/2") fat cover TAIL BASE - Smooth but bones can be felt under a thin layer of fat SIDE VIEW - Abdominal tuck OVERHEAD VIEW - Well-proportioned waist is present

 

What is obesity?

dogs

OVERWEIGHT

RIBS - Difficult to feel with moderate (>1/2") fat cover TAIL BASE - Some thickening, but bones can be felt under a moderate layer of fat SIDE VIEW - No abdominal tuck or waist OVERHEAD VIEW - Back is slightly broadened

OBESE

RIBS - Difficult to feel under thick fat cover TAIL BASE - Thickened and difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat SIDE VIEW - Fat hangs down from the abdomen and there is no waist OVERHEAD VIEW - Markedly wide

If my dog is overweight, will his behaviorchange?

Most overweight or obese dogs are less active and do not play as much as normal dogs. These pets may be reluctant to climb stairs or jump into cars and often pant excessively after very minor exertion.

What is the cause of obesity?

obesity dog

Obesity is the accumulation of excess energy stored as fat. It occurs when your pet receives more calories then he needs and expends. Hypothyroidism and other metabolic diseases may predispose dogs to obesity. Your veterinarian may recommend testing for hypothyroidism or other diseases depending on a thorough physical exam and other symptoms.