Weight Changes

Keywords:
Diet, nutrition, overweight, under weight, exercise, pounds, hormonal, thyroid, metabolism, neuter, spay, age, senior, respiratory, joints, hypertension, diabetes, digestive, liver, cancer

Weight Changes

Weight Changes

It is not uncommon for one of my clients to be utterly surprised when they discover that their dog or cat's weight has toppled the scale either up or down. Why didn't they notice the change? It's because it often occurs little by little, day by day, right before their eyes.

An increase in weight can be due to the obvious. Too many treats in and not enough exercise. Even if you think that you are practicing great portion control, over nutrition can easily take place. A cup of food to one person is not enough to the next. So they give a little more. You only give `a' treat, while the next overly generous family member gives two or three. Extra calories add up very quickly. Did you know that a one pound weight gain for a Chihuahua is similar to a one hundred and twenty five pound woman gaining thirty one pounds?

There are also several less blatant explanations for an increase in a pet's girth. Hormonal conditions such as an underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticisim, Cushing's disease, can affect metabolism. Neutering also has metabolic consequences. Studies have shown that when a pet undergoes a castration or an ovariohysterectomy, the rate at which they expend energy is decreased by almost 30%. A neutered pet still incurs many more positive effects than the negative so I continue to be a strong proponent of these procedures.

Advancing age can also be responsible for your pet packing on the pounds. As we age we start to lose lean muscle. Muscle requires a great deal of energy in order to function properly. Less muscle means less need for calories. Don't be fooled into feeding your pet the same amount you did when it was younger and carried the same weight. Its energy needs have scaled downwards.

An increase in weight can pose serious health threats to your pet. An overweight pet can have respiratory issues, a compromised immune system, be at increased risk for anesthesia, grapple with skin disorders, and suffer with pain from overburdened joints or spinal disc disease. Studies have shown that overweight pets age faster and have a decreased quality of life.

Weight loss can be just as serious. You may think that your cat has found the fountain of youth. It is eating more, running around like a kitten and is losing weight. In reality, your cat may be a victim of an overactive thyroid. If left untreated, hypertension, sudden blindness and cardiac issues may ensue.

Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, digestive disorders, liver malfunction, cancer and even dental disease can cause a pet to inexplicably lose weight and condition.

How can you tell if your pet is fit? As your pet is standing, you should see an indentation after its ribcage, its waistline. Place your hand on the side of its chest. With light pressure, you should be able to feel the ribs. If you are pinching an inch, it is overweight. If the ribs are very overly prominent, it may be undernourished. Which food and how much is appropriate for your pet's stage of life? Your veterinarian is best qualified to make these determinations with your assistance. But requirements will change. Make a twice yearly wellness examination for your pet. This simple act can increase the chances that your dog or cat will age successfully.

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Daily Pet News


Take caution when choosing a weight loss food for your fat cat
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again… An animal that is not overweight will live 30% longer than an overweight animal. So if you have a fat cat, do it a favor and put it on a diet. But before you do, know that 50% of weight control cat foods cannot do what they claim to do. The report from the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that the best way to help your pet is to design a weight loss program with the help of your veterinarian.

Does the thunder roll your dog into a cold dark corner?
If your dog is like mine, then he crawls under the covers or into a cold dark space when the thunder rolls. Experts say the best way to battle these fears is with love and treats. The fear of loud booming noises usually develops as a puppy and can worsen with age. However, positive reinforcement such as petting your dog or offering a treat can help to rewire the circuit. That is, they will now associate the thunder with pleasant events, rather than fear of injury. Between storms, playing loud sounds and using positive reinforcement, can help to desensitize your pet to the real thing. If things do not improve, you can ask your veterinarian about anti-anxiety drugs.

Some foods that are toxic to dogs
Some foods that are considered healthy or harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping these items away from your dogs… Alcohol, caffeine, garlic, onions, avocado, and chewing gum. It is also advisable to limit intake of salt and sugar.

Babies can read facial expressions in dogs
A study at Brigham Young University has concluded that human babies as young as six months can tell the difference between an angry growl and a friendly bark. The study included showing two different pictures of the same dog to the infants, all of which lived with dogs. One picture was an angry looking dog with a scowl. The other was a playful looking dog with a nice smile. When playing a recording of a growling dog, the subjects tended to stare at the picture of the angry dog. When playing audio of a playful bark, the infants then focused on the happy looking dog. A BYU professor said that emotion is one of the first things babies can pick up on in their social world. Pets, in turn, are also very aware of emotions of their surroundings.

Rabies enters Colorado neighborhoods
Rabies cases in Colorado are increasing and moving from rural to urban areas. Rabies is a deadly disease and is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. It is most common amongst raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. The number of cases has nearly doubled compared to last year. Rabies is a major concern to all species including humans, especially if it spreads to domestic animals. Keeping your pets up to date on rabies vaccinations provides the best protection against the deadly virus.

Foxtail can pose a serious threat to your dog.
Cheatgrass or foxtail weeds can pose a danger to your dog. As they dry out, the weeds become sharp, like arrowheads, and can penetrate deep into a dog’s skin. If they are stuck, they can form serious infections. Either way, they cause severe pain. Foxtail weeds have been known to penetrate into blood vessels and even into the spinal cord when a dog rolls in them. Most commonly, the weeds are stepped on and thus penetrate deep into the pads of the feet. It is a good idea to always check your dog for foreign bodies after every walk or adventure into potentially dangerous areas.

Pets need blood transfusions too
Like humans, certain medical conditions in our pets may require blood transfusions. A healthy pet can safely donate several times per year to a local blood bank. In some programs such as the one offered at LSU, a pet who donates enough blood can qualify to receive blood for free, if needed. If you are interested in having your pet donate blood, check with your veterinarian for a location near you.

Further research is necessary to find out why cats are dying
Feline infectious peritonitis is one of the most devastating and least understood infectious diseases that affect cats. The disease is caused by a virus in the coronavirus family. However, while some cats develop the fatal disease, it is unknown why others don’t. There is no cure and treatment for the disease only helps to make the animal more comfortable. The virus is transmitted through fecal contact and can actually be inhaled. There is a vaccination for the virus, but it is often given to a kitten after they have already been exposed. Research is being done to help protect our pets from this terrible disease.

Yogi Bear may have rabies?
Yellowstone County remains under a rabies quarantine. The quarantine means that dogs, cats, and other pets must be vaccinated against rabies at least two weeks before being moved outside the county. Yellowstone has been under eight quarantines in the past two and half years. Montana’s state veterinarian says that this is the time of year that pet owners need to be vigilant and take extra precautions.

Tips on getting Marmaduke off your favorite couch
Does your dog like to relax on your favorite couch when you are not home? Here are a few tips. Number one, make sure you train your dog when you are home. He needs to understand that this is not acceptable. Always be consistent. Number two, while you are training, don’t allow your pet access to your furniture if you are not there to stop the behavior immediately. Number three, if you have trouble, there are products that can be sprayed on your furniture that are safe to both your pet and your furniture. These sprays produce an odor that repels your pet. Other products will vibrate or produce a loud noise if your pet comes in contact with the furniture. Always check with your veterinarian before using any products around your pets.