Why Can't I Call A Fat Pet Fat? Why is the truth so offensive?

Tip toeing through a minefield is not a talent I hold innately close to my heart. I see my job as your veterinarian as being an advocate for your pet. But, alas, as hard as I try I cannot find it in my toolbox to lie. I can't even seem to find it in myself to sugar coat. There are easy truths and the hard to accept truths. Weight issues in pets is at epidemic proportions. And, it is just as much as an epidemic for ourselves. No matter which end of the leash you are on, if you live in the USA, chances are on of us meets the criteria for being classified as overweight. The hard truth is that there are fat owners with fat pets and neither one of them wants to be honest with each other. Am I really your pets advocate if I consciously decide to forego hurting you feelings so that the reality mirror doesn't make you feel guilty?

Feelings, those damnable anthropomorphic sticky sentimental drivle that cripples our ability to see the black and white of life and deal with it.

Doctors are slaves to science. No emotional excuses to sway the numbers and the data never lies. I like black and white. I love numbers, raw, unadulterated bar graphs. They are the doctors apparition to the reality that allows us to shut the door on emotions.

But, the rest of the world lives in well sheltered 'spare my feelings' bubble.

So goes the course of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. You can numb yourself with the short lived delight provided by a Milk Bone but the grim reaper of obesity will find you sooner than he should if you do. Death and obesity are best of friends. If you want to thwart the pearly gates for as long as possible I recommend that you try to out run obesity. One of the easiest ways to add quality years is to stay lean and healthy.

And such is the dilemma that leads me to my most recent drama du jour....

I am hearing from my staff that there are clients who "don't want to see me because  I tell them that their pet is fat." In my defense, their pet is fat. In their defense they can choose to see whichever vet they want to. But, do I fail to deliver my purpose if I can't get my patients to see me? Probably. I can't practice my passion if I can't get them to drive on over to see me.

Here's how I see the obligation of the doctor in treating their patients;
If your doctor is not telling you the truth about your weight and the damage it is doing to your body they are negligent. Writing you a prescription without clearly explaining to you to the root of the problem, your role in it, and how you can resolve your own disease, without the drug is my PRIMARY responsibility. Excusing your difficulties and sheltering your feelings, responsibilities, and participation in the problem is the very foundation of why we are bound to the gripping strangulation hold of tobacco, fast food, drugs, and addiction. A drug to help you maintain a longer happier relationship with your drug is not medicine as it should be practiced.

Telling my clients that they can use, or need, more pain management to curb the aches in their pets joints while they buy boxes of biscuits and spend more time on the couch is selling their parenting skills and affection for their pets short. I may lose a client to the associate who doesn't want to hurt any feelings, but I stayed true to my belief that my primary obligation is to your pet. Further, I have never met a pet who didn't prefer a walk over a biscuit and t.v. We have a great deal to learn from our pets. Those mucky feelings aside our pets remind us what living and loving life looks like. All you have to do is put on a leash and head outside. Your pets smile is something that exists in nature alone.

My job is to empower you to save your pets life.

I saw a client last week who had elected to see another vet after her dog added on another 5 pounds to her already 20 over ideal. Once again I was prescribing an NSAID course for sore elbows. Once again I was feeling uneasy about why we needed pain management, what long term NSAID use might do to her kidneys, liver and how to get off the endless weight gain. At 7 years old I was going to be euthanizing this dog in a year or two, 4 or 5 years before she should be, simply because her frame couldn't support her weight. I have sat through too many of these. I am euthanizing too many fat pets because their owners are loving them to death.

How do I convince you to love in a healthy manner? I suppose I can only keep opening my mouth and trying? How do I tip toe through the feelings? Well, clearly I need to ask my associate how she does it.

I sent a letter to that dogs mom. Apologizing for hurting  her feelings, and asking for help in keeping their dog healthy. She avoided me for 6 months. On the next visit for NSAID's she pulled me aside and said "Thanks for your note. I know you care, and I know it is a problem. I was too embarrassed to talk to you. But I don't want my dog to suffer any longer. My husband and I are working on ways to help her eat less and exercise more. Thankfully she is still a happy energetic dog and I think we can love her without over feeding her."

So, maybe I can help without hurting? Maybe I just need to start training my patients how to drive to see me and take their humans for a walk?

If you have a pet question, or think that your pet care experience might help others, please join me at Pawbly.com the online pet community dedicated to helping empower pet people by educating and inspiring them. It is free to use and open to everyone who loves animals.

If you have any advice for me, or want me to try to navigate around helping your pet without hurting your feelings, you can find me at Jarrettsville Vet in Harford County, Maryland.

I am also contributing to Everyday Health and on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, October 9, 2013

In honor of National Pet Obesity Day I revisited the blogs I have done on the weight issues I have seen in pets. It was a long jaunt down a depressing road.

I have written a half dozen blogs on the subject. I even did my own mini "Biggest Loser" project where I followed three pets through about six months of a well coordinated, jointly managed diet, fitness, and monitoring program. Each pet was given a specific tailored diet plan, exercise regimen and monitoring schedule. The clients were also given free access to all of our clinics resources, personnel expertise, and we even mounted our own personal coaching and cheering squad. The results were abysmal. The pets lost a few pounds during the slim down period, but not one kept the pounds off, nor did they finish the 6 month trial. We tried to not get discouraged, but it was hard not to be. In the end I am not even sure that the plan did more harm than good. Everyone felt like a failure. Completely contradictory to our intention. The last, and worst thing I can ever provide is discouragement. Biggest Loser is right..(hang head, trudge to back of stage..).

How did our "Biggest Loser" pet edition start? Well,, it all started over lunch. A staff meeting and lunch and learn sponsored by Purina to pitch their latest brain child, Project: Pet Slim Down. Designed to be a place where people can go to learn tips, tricks, and get advice on how to help their pet lose weight.

The topic of pet obesity is one that every veterinarian is frustrated by seeing. We see the diseases that obesity causes, (diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, respiratory difficulties, cancer, and loss of vitality).

There are now a huge number of low calorie treats, diets, and drugs available to try to help pet owners help their pets lose weight.

These products are all backed by the latest in scientific research and scientific trials. They work on paper and in study groups. In reality they fail about 95% of the time in my practice. I am almost incapable of listening to another lecture about another 'new' product to help cure the epidemic of obesity occurring in the U.S..

The problem in my opinion in the huge majority of the cases is very simple. It is owner compliance. Well, I should clarify that the compliance is very difficult, but sometimes even getting to the issue of implying that someone's pet is 'obese' is also a dicey process. Some people take the accusation as offensive, some like to live in denial, and some can't stop the begging, food reward, begging, food reward cycle.

Is it hard to believe that our pets diets are going to fail, when our human parents, and their human children have such a difficult time themselves? Obesity in adults is over 50 %, and children? well, it is quickly approaching the same tipping point. Pets? Well, they are right behind both parents and children. To state that obesity is an epidemic is to put it all in perspective.

How can we keep trim, healthy pets who exercise and eat right when mom and dad struggle with it themselves. Like all parts of life we have to lead by example and be responsible parents.

So we vets try to refine our communication skills, be as adaptable as we can, and learn to listen to the experts provide us with yet another product and yet another pitch.

There is an avalanche of information about how beneficial maintaining a healthy weight is to all creatures. I hope we are well beyond the point of having to discuss this. But how do we turn that knowledge into our reality?

I guess that we get our sweatsuit, sneakers, motivation, optimism, and determination back out, and hit the pavement, AGAIN?

How do I answer the question about shedding those extra pounds? I ask you a whole slew of questions. I try to understand what lead to the weight, and then come up with a realistic long term plan to help you and your pet live a longer healthier life together. There is no single, easy, answer of one size remedy fits all.

The wonderful company SlimDoggy is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle for pets, resolving the obesity in our dogs and educating all of us on how to raise a happy, healthy, fit dog. They can be found on Twitter,  Facebook, and their own site. They blog daily with success stories, tips, nutrition advice, exercises for both you and your pet, a calorie counter, and even have their own app!

Slim Doggy Wordless Wednesday National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.

In the latest issue of DVM 360 there was this article; "Seventh annual study hopes to better quantify obesity prevalence in cats and dogs. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention calls on veterinarians to collect data Oct. 9." Please tell me we are past the point of the collecting data stage of this disease? 

Related past blogs:

The Worlds Fattest Dog

Biggest Loser Contestant Duke

Dazzle's Weigh In

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments please find me here, or at Pawbly.com, where a whole slew of us will answer any and all pet related questions for free!, or on Twitter.


Jekyll, my beagle, is never one to miss a snack-ortunity..Easy enough in the fall when he walks out the front door to the miles and miles of cornfields that he is sure were planted just foe him. Have a hankering for a kernal, no problem, he just jumps up, grabs an ear and heads to the front porch.

Thank goodness he is careful nibbler. He gently bites off a few corn kernals, chews, and leaves bare cobs behind.

When he's full he heads back to the field to grab a few ears to bury for a rainy/snowy day. 

Come spring we have these random stalks popping up everywhere. 

My husband has yet to find the humor in his genius.

Dawg Blogger Survey on Obesity

A few weeks ago I was asked to voice my opinion on a survey a fellow Twitter and dog expert/blogger extraordinaire Jana Rade. She asked; 

Veterinarians Answer: What Is The Biggest Toll Our Dogs Pay For Obesity?

Here are the answers that she received: 

56 percent of American dogs are obese! That is more than every other dog.

When our vet saw three patients in a row who were at ideal weight, he was so excited at the rare occurrence, he had to blog about it!

I started the Show Off Your Dog's Waistline campaign so we get it in our heads what a healthy dog should look like.

To compliment the campaign, I asked my veterinary friends what they consider the biggest toll our dogs pay for obesity.

The biggest toll that dogs pay for obesity is their life. 

Obese dogs suffer similar fates as humans, with higher prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

Many of my patients suffer from arthritis and other joint dysfunction, so I am constantly telling my clients that diet restriction and weight loss is vital to the comfort of their dog; less weight is less stress on the joints and for a dog with joint dysfunction that means a better quality of life.

One study, A longitudinal study of the influence of lifetime food restriction on development of osteoarthritis in the canine elbow, of a group of Labradors had interesting results on life span as well. Diet restriction of 25% reduction in calories resulted in a 1.8-year extension in median lifespan of that group of dogs.

So yes dogs pay a toll and it is with their life! Considering Labradors median age is only 12, 2 years is a huge increase in life for them.

—Dr. Daniel Beatty, DVM, Dog Kinetics
    Dr. Dan on Facebook and Twitter 

***

Far and away the biggest problem exacerbated by obesity in larger breed dogs is arthritis. 

In fact, if an overweight dog is having issues with arthritis, weight loss is my top of the list recommendation above any medications, supplements, or acupuncture.

In smaller breeds, obesity tends to intensify issues withhormonal imbalances and heart disease.

In the smoosh faced breeds of dogs, being overweight can put them over the top in terms of respiratory difficulties. It's one thing to supply enough oxygen through tiny nostrils and tracheas for a 10 pound critter. Add another five pounds of fat, and the effort to oxygenate becomes all the more pronounced.

—Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, Speaking for Spot
    Dr. Kay on Facebook and Twitter 

***

The biggest toll our dogs pay for obesity is the day-to-daydifficulties in routine activity that increased weight causes. 

Things that should be fun or at least easy like climbing stairs, taking a walk or playing ball take more effort. They are often reluctant to do physical activities they love because things make them tired and winded and may make their joints ache.

One of the most rewarding aspects of helping a patient (dog, cat, guinea pig...) lose weight is seeing them get that spark back. Even before they reach their ideal weight, they feel healthier and lighter and start wanting to do the things they love more often, which is only more motivating for them and their parents to continue to help them reach their goal weight!

—Dr. Shawn M. Finch, DVM, Riley & James 
    Dr. Shawn on Twitter 

***

While it's true that obesity predisposes dogs to many serious diseases (cruciate ligament ruptures, intervertebral disk disease, osteoarthritis, congestive heart failure, Cushing's disease, skin disorders and some types of cancer, to name a few), I think the biggest toll a dog pays for being overweight is simply an inability to enjoy life to the fullest.

The last time I took my boxer to the dog park, two fat labs were doing their best to keep up with the pack, but eventually were forced to sit in the shade and pant while the rest of the dogs carried on. They wanted to play, but their weight prevented them from doing so. Sad. 

—Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, Fully Vetted
    Don't forget to check out  Dr. Coates' own survey, asking dog and cat owners
    what is their biggest frustration. So don't pass on YOUR opportunity to vent!

***

The biggest toll our dogs pay for obesity is pain.

Arthritis is worsened and sometimes caused by obesity.

Overall reduced quality and quantity of life. 



—Dr. Rae Worden, DVM , Fergus Veterinary Hospital
    Dr. Rae on Facebook and Twitter 

***

I believe pet obesity occurs because pet owners, parents or caretakers (depending on the preferred term and audience) don't take the time and effort to inquire/ration/or execute veterinary orders. Like book-keeping, calories need to be tracked going in as they are expended.

Is it the chicken or the egg? Is the dog demanding food because it's truly hungry, or is the owner filling the dish because it's the dog's conditioned response to beg and then get rewarded?

Weight gain happens when net calorie intake exceeds expenditure, and it gets saved in storage. A simple way to manage this is to follow feeding protocols outlined by your veterinary advisor, and using a weigh scale to double check.

Would you keep your foot on the accelerator, even on the highway, for an extended period of time and not check the speedometer? Bet you can't.

Often, owners are unable, for many reasons, to provide the necessary exercise workout their dogs need on a daily basis. It is said a lot of dogs take after their owners. Pet ownership requires planning, commitment, and follow through.

The list of  medical sequelae due to obesity that I see in dogs include: increased forces and therefore wear and tear on joints, increased fatigue and decreased activity, increased cardiovascular effort, increased risk of diabetes, decreased hygiene (due to girth some dogs can't reach around to inspect and clean), high blood pressure, and often shortened life span. Moreover, the dog's satiety thermostat adjusts itself to the new norm, and it's even harder to lose the weight by reducing food intake alone.

I'd say the biggest toll to our dogs pay for obesity is a shortened and reduced quality of life. To me, that's unacceptable.

—Dr. Jonathan Mitelman, DVM, Vet's Toronto
    Dr. Jonathan on Facebook and Twitter

***

Dogs live “accelerated” lives.  We’ve all grieved this reality.  But did you know that you hold the power to influence your dog’s lifespan through diet?

It’s true.  Leaner pets live longer.  In 2001, a fourteen year, landmark study proved that maintaining dogs’ ideal body condition extended their median life span by 15 percent.  That translated into nearly two additional years of life for those dogs.

Question:  What is the biggest toll our dogs pay for obesity?
Answer:  2 years of life

Most of my patients are overweight.  It is almost startling when a dog with a normal body condition score presents for an appointment, because it is so uncommon.  Since these furry family members don’t serve themselves, this is 100% preventable.  Contemplate the gift of two additional years with your canine companion!  Let this motivate you to heed your vet’s advice about weight management.

—Dr. Julie Buzby, ToeGrips
    Dr. Julie on Facebook and on Twitter

***

Short answer:
A shorter life span with more pain and illness during the course of that life.





—Dr. Lorie Huston, DVM, Pet Health Care Gazette
    Dr. Lorie on Facebook and Twitter

***

The biggest toll on our pets that results from obesity is thepotentially irreversible effect that being overweight has ason all canine body systems.  The bones, joints, heart, lungs, digestive tract, glands (liver, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, etc.), skin, and nervous systems are all detrimentally affected by the cumulative stressors caused by being overweight or obese.

Besides the negative health implications for our pets, there are significant financial costs associated with diagnosing and treating obesity related conditions that can be minimized or avoided if a health body condition score (BCS, see Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Body Condition Scoring Chart) is maintained throughout a pet's lifetime.

 —Dr. Patrick Mahaney, The Daily Vet
     Dr. Patrick on Facebook and Twitter 

***

There are many tolls that overweight/obese dogs pay.

To name some of them; joint disease, heart disease, endocrine disease (diabetes), cancer, dermatologic complications, the list goes on and on.

But the single biggest toll that I see obese dogs pay is their lack of a happy healthy life.

Fat dogs are not happy dogs. They may wag their tail, they may beg for food, but when you see an overweight dog that has lost their excess weight and regained their vigor and love for life it is magic! I have seen dogs who act and behave like they are years younger. They play, they interact, they are curious, and just happy. Their parents always tell me how they cannot believe how different their dog acts and how they never knew how much that excess weight was weighing them down.

Being healthy is the biggest key to happiness, ask any sick or fat dog. Our health is the greatest gift we have, cherish it, foster it, and promote it.

Medicine can't change our genetics but diet and lifestyle can change and improve almost everything else.

There are many products, diagnostics, diets, supplements, tricks, and perhaps even a few lifestyle changes available to help you and your pup be on their way to a more youthful vibrant and longer life, and maybe/hopefully, you both can make a whole lot less visits to my veterinary office!

—Dr. Krista Magnifico, DVM, Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian
    Dr. Krista on Twitter 

***

As in humans, obesity in dogs can increase the risk of many diseases, damage a dog’s musculoskeletal and respiratory integrity and take a toll on our emotional, psychological and financial well-being.  Obesity reduces the average life-span of a dog by 15%. Why? Studies have shown that adipose tissue (fat) is the biggest endocrine organ in an obese pet’s body producing hormones and cytokines that create aconstant state of chronic inflammation.

This increases the risk of diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis, endocrine disease and cancer. It is a double-whammy on a dog’s body when the extra weight is added creating stress on joints leading to injury, arthritis and chronic pain. Small dogs often develop respiratory disease and hyperthermia, often fatal, because the increased weight and fat stores restrict their ability to breathe easily.

But I think the biggest toll of pet obesity is the emotional devastation that occurs when our pet dies or when we choose to euthanize because we can’t afford to treat diseases caused by obesity. We are killing our pets with love and the guilt that comes with it is heavy.

When our vet gently or not so gently scolds us for letting our dog become fat, it reminds us we are not doing right by our pet; our dogs rely on us to do the right thing and that means proper nutrition and managing a healthy weight.  Unfortunately, many think that obese pets are “cute and cuddly”, especially cats.  This perception is something we all must fight if we are to keep our pets healthy.

In my opinion, guilt is a wasteful emotion. If your dog is obese, you can choose to change that and I guarantee you will feel good about it.

It is important that your vet rules out any medical conditions that contribute to obesity; hypoadrednalcorticism and hypothyroidsim are two conditions whose symptoms include obesity, poor skin and low energy levels.  After that, commit to a life-long wellness program that includes a healthy diet and a good dose of exercise – a 20 minute walk a day goes a long way.  Talk to your vet about nutrition. Commit to feeding your dog on a regular schedule in measured amounts rather than having a bowl available for constant feeding.  It seems like giving treats is the biggest pitfall in many people’s diet program for their dogs. Your vet can incorporate treats into a weight loss program. I also suggest trying healthy treats such as frozen carrots and green beans. My dog Flash particularly likes fresh, crunchy sweet pea pods. They are low in calories and high in fiber, both good for weight loss.

I applaud Jana and Jasmine’s Show Off Your Dog’s Waistline campaign to increase the awareness of obesity.  And I applaud all the caring dog caretakers who help make their dogs’ lives healthier and happier.

—Dr. Karel Carnohan, Animal Nutrition and Wellness Services
    Dr. Karel and Facebook and Twitter

***

Obese pets are often misunderstood as "just getting old" when their poor joints start to weaken from carrying around all that extra weight. The countless times I've seen a formerly tired and lame dog act years younger after significant weight loss have inspired me to take a more active approach to encouraging weight loss in my patients.


—Dr. Greg Magnusson, DVM (Leo's Daddy), Leo's Pet Care
    Dr. Greg on Facebook and Twitter 

***

Recently I read an article asking, if there was a way you could extend your dog's life by two years, would you do it? 

Well, there is! You can extend your dog's life by keeping them thin. You can make their life longer AND better. Would you do it?

http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2013/02/veterinarians-answer-what-is-biggest.html