Buster's got back

So Dog Fancy says yo fat?  Well… I am down with that.  Your vet isn’t just picking on you when he says your pet is a little “big boned”.  We all love our pets and want to make them happy. So we give in with extra treats and bits of table food here and there.  I feel the same way when those big brown wishful eyes are looking up at me, and I have a little innocent morsel on my plate.  But these little scraps add up and so do the pounds and the next thing we know, we are tipping the scales at borderline obese! 

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00389/fat_cat_384_389178a.jpg

"I don't think you're ready for this jelly... "
It has been estimated that approximately 50%(!!!) of cats and dogs in the US are overweight.  You might be thinking… what’s wrong with a little more to love?  But being overweight is not a cosmetic issue.  That extra weight can contribute to changes in behavior such as decreased energy, playing, and grooming.  But more importantly it can exacerbate serious health problems such as orthopedic (arthritis, torn ACL), respiratory (laryngeal paralysis, brachycephalic syndrome), metabolic (diabetes, fatty liver) and urinary issues to just name a few.  Sadly those extra calories have also been correlated with a shorter life span as well. 

Now I know you are thinking- “That’s nice but MY pet is not heavy.”  Are you sure about that?  In a survey of pet owners, the majority of them viewed their pets as ideal body weight whereas their pet’s Body Condition Score (I’ll review this in a bit) said otherwise.  So it miiight be possible that you just didn’t realize that Muffin was so voluptuous.  Well, here is how you can tell what a fine figure looks like:  Body Condition Score is a value from 1-9 (some vets use a 1-5 scale) with 5 being the ideal BCS, 1 is emaciation and 9 is morbid obesity.  It evaluates a few basic things: 

-Are the ribs easily felt with minimal fat covering?

-Is the waist easily noted when viewed from above?

-Does the tummy tuck up when viewed from the side?

Take a look at the following chart then grade your little fuzzies at home. 

http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx

Here is the link for cat lovers

Finally coming around?  Well the challenge doesn’t stop here.  It’s not just hard for humans to shed the junk in the trunk; it can be very difficult for pets as well.  That’s why it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to formulate a weight loss plan to make sure (number 1) the pounds come off and (number 2) they come off safely and in an appropriate time frame.  (Drastically dropping the weight in dogs and cats can lead to serious problems as well.  Concurrent health problems may also change the recommendations of your vet.) 

It’s not too late to improve your pet’s quality of life.  There was a study in patients with severe hip osteoarthritis who lost weight over the course of 6 months.  They started showing progress within a few weeks and by the end of the 6 months there was marked improvement in the ability to get around/decreased limping/pain.  The same can be applied to other conditions. 

OK, so hopefully it’s understood why that extra jiggle isn’t so cute.  I know I sound harsh but it’s only because I see the consequences every day in the hospital!  So you might be thinking, now what do I do?  Well step one is speaking with your vet directly as they know your pets best, but my next entry will include some pointers. 

So stay tuned… and lay off the snausages!

Dr. Chu

Business time

When it comes to trying to diagnose your sick pet with…. bathroom issues, one of the most frustrating things owners can do is be a poor historian.  Now I know the whole poop issue is kind of gross, but it’s important!  For those of you who take your dogs on leashed walks and do the scoopin, it’s easy.  I’m talking about the types that open the back door, let them do their bidness and run back in.  We are all busy but a little info can go a long way during the vet visit.  So don’t be shy- its ok to invade Skippy’s PBT (or personal bathroom time -as my best friend calls it).  

http://dogs.icanhascheezburger.com/2007/12/20/cant-poop-wif-you-watchin/

 

(This next section is not for those currently eating dinner or with a weak stomach.  You’ve been warned.) 

If you can’t be bothered to keep an eye on your pet’s “eliminations” then at least try to pay attention the next time they aren’t feeling so hot.  Some highlights your vet may ask about your pet going number two include:  Is there straining?  blood?  loose stools?  mucus?  scooting?  more/less than usual?  These are important points which help us differentiate the types of problems that can cause a rumblin in the tummy.  Other pertinent history includes any recent diet changes, medications they have received, any toys/raw hides that have gone missing recently and/or travel history.  There is an endless list of diseases that can cause loose stools that range from diet changes, parasites, and food allergies to more serious problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or enzyme deficiencies. 

(OK, it’s safe to read again)

Another pet peeve of vets is that it drives us crazy when we cannot speak with the pet’s owner.  If you are the mom/dad and have all the information and your significant other/pet sitter/hobo you met on the street brings Max to the vet, then the first point is moot.  Please be present or at least reachable.  We and your pet thank you in advance. 

Before I close, I just want to mention that there is NO anti-diarrhea injection!  Many clients come into the hospital wanting a magical shot to stop potty problems.  This does not exist.  To help calm the bowels you need to either find the source of the problem and correct/manage that, or treat supportively with diet or medications to decrease inflammation or to decrease the risk of bacterial translocation (bacteria moving from the GI tract into the blood stream).  If your pet is very sick then hospitalization with fluid therapy may also be necessary. 

To summarize, my main points of the day include:

1)      Keep a watchful eye on your pets “gifts”  

2)      Doo be able to actually relay the information to the doctor

Ya hearrrrrd????

http://www.zastavki.com/eng/Animals/Dogs/wallpaper-13707-16.htm

With a complete history, physical exam and maybe even bringing in a "donation" from your pet, you can help us to do our jobs better.  (Depending on the problems we are seeing, additional tests may be suggested such as a fecal exam, bloodwork or radiographs. But lets take things step by step.) 

Take care and good poops for all!

Dr. Chu

(BTW, did you like how many synonyms I used for the word poop?)