Most owners don't recognize that their dogs are overweight until theytake them to the veterinarian for another reason. Most pets begin slowly gaining weight and only a historical review ofbody weight reveals the insidious nature of this condition.
Dogs that are overweight may experience difficulty breathing or walking or they may be unable to tolerate heat orexercise.
Diagnosis
Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests to determine overall health and to provide recommendations for weightloss.
Diagnostic tests may include:
A thorough veterinary examination, including an accurate measure of body weight and an assessment of body condition score. A historical review of changes in your dog's body weight is often helpful in establishing a pattern of weight gain and may help identify a particular event or change in environment that relates to the increase in body weight.
Routine blood work including a complete blood cell count, serum profile and urinalysis are necessary to determine if there is an underlying disease. If the results of these tests indicate a problem, additional tests are warranted to specifically identify the condition before starting a weight loss program.
Assessment of your dog's current daily intake of all food, treats, snacks, table foods and exercise schedule is important in the development of a successful weight loss program. Clearly if the calculated caloric intake exceeds the calculated daily energy requirement of the dog at an ideal body weight, then excessive caloric intake is the cause of the obesity.
Treatment
Treatment of any concurrent or underlying disease that affects obesity is recommended.
Lower your dog's daily caloric intake by changing the dog food product (there are several diets formulated for weight loss) or the amount fed daily.
Increasing fiber or water intake may sometimes be necessary to satiate your dog.
Increase exercise activity. To enhance exercise, a variety of leashes and toys are available.
