The Animal Hospital LLP
September-October 2012                                                                          Issue 6

Body Condition Score

is an assessment of ideal weight; the images here are the basic scale of 1-5

body-conditioning-emaciated-dog

emaciated dog

 body-condtioning-thin-dog thin dog

 

body conditioning-moderate-dog

normal dog

 

body-conditioning-stout-dog 

stout or heavy dog

 

body-conditioning-obese-dog 

obese dog  

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Cats

Each differentiation up or down is equivalent to about 10-15% body weight.

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body-conditioning-emaciated-cat 

emaciated cat

 

body-conditioning-thin-cat thin cat

 

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An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.

-Martin buber

 

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Obesity

Obesity is a nutritional disease which is defined by an excess of body fat. Cats & dogs which are over fed, lack the ability to exercise, or that have a tendency to retain weight are at risk for becoming obese. Obesity can predispose an animal to metabolic diseases like diabetes, joint problems, arthritis, labored breathing, as well as other organ problems, and increased anesthetic risks. These secondary affects of obesity result in premature death. Obesity is generally caused by an imbalance between energy intake and its usage, eating more calories than the animal can expend.  If your cat is under weight or your dog is over weight the cause can sometimes be contributed to a thyroid disorder and we can do a blood test to determine this.  

In cats the highest risk category for obesity generally occurs at 5-10 years of age, in neutered and indoor cats. A cat is considered to be obese if its weight is around 20% over the ideal weight. If you have an 8.8 pound cat and you give it 10 kcal per day in excess of its daily energy needs, it will gain about 12% of its body weight in just one year. 10 kcal is equivalent to about 5 'Temptations' treats. To be certain ask your veterinarian at Animal Hospital what your animal's ideal weight is when your pet is in for their physical. But if the cat looks and feels over 

obese cat 

 

 weight, it is! It's easy to reward your pet or give them special treats without realizing how quickly those calories add up. Don't use treats as a means of loving your pet as this kindness can be a slow killer. Cats are more difficult to take for a walk, although with patience many people have taught there cat to walk on a treadmill.   It's much easier to throw a ball or take your dog for a walk.
cats on treadmill
 

Most dogs and cats if fed the amounts indicated on the label of their food will eventually become overweight. These amounts are only guidelines and are usually a higher amount of calories than needed.   Getting an obese cat to lose weight needs to be done gradually.   No matter what your own personal preference is regarding the ingestion of meat, the cat requires meat in its diet. A 15 pound cat should not lose more than 1% of its body weight in a week.   With dogs and the wide variety of breed sizes it's best to ask your veterinarian what amount of weight loss is best per month. A successful weight reduction program is a multi-step process which requires owner commitment, the proper food and amount, an exercise plan, communication between the pet owner and veterinarian, and regular weigh-ins usually done at 4 week intervals.    

Dog Treats

Hills Prescription Diet-hypoallergenic treats   17 kcal/treat     

Hills Jerky Strips                                           45 kcal/strip

Hills Prescription Diet Treats                         14 kcal/strip

Royal Canin Treats                                       14 kcal/treat

Wellness Wellbars                                          23-24kcal/treat

Snausage                                                      25 kcal/sausage

Beggin Strips                                                30 kcal/strip

Turkey Jerky                                                18 kcal/treat

 

Cat Treats

CET treats                                                     2.4 kcal/treat

Greenies                                                        3.8 kcal/treat

Temptations                                                    2 kcal/treat  

 

 

     body-conditioning-moderate-cat body-conditioning-stout-cat 

             normal cat                         stout or heavy cat 

 

 

                                       obese cat 

 

 

 

 

 

Is there a topic you would like to see in our newsletters? 

If so please contact Shannon at the Animal Hospital.
 
Save $$ Senior Wellness Month

Help us help your pet enjoy good health through their senior years. The HEALTH of your pet can change rapidly as he or she ages, and changes can go unnoticed. Early diagnosis, discovery, and intervention can lead to some simple changes to have a lifetime of good health. This is a great opportunity to make sure your pet is as healthy on the inside as they look on the outside.

 

September is senior wellness month and we are offering a wellness special for your pets over 7 years old for $158.00. This includes an exam, a blood chemistry panel of 25 tests, a complete blood count (CBC), and a urinalysis (UA); individually these total $258.00. This offer is good the month of September and must be mentioned upon making your appointment. Any additional lab work, radiographs, or work up is not included in this special pricing.