By Dr Jeannie Thomason
(Part 2 in a two part series on dog obesity.)

The health risks to overweight dogs are serious and every dog owner should be aware of them.

Damage to joints, bones, and ligaments

Older Studies suggested that 25% of overweight dogs develop serious joint complications. If the joints and bones are required to carry excess weight, they usually start to become damaged. Arthritis can develop and the joint changes and pain associated with hip dysplasia can become markedly more severe as well. Extra tension on joints caused by an increased weight load can also lead to the damage of certain ligaments. One of the ligaments in the knee, known as the anterior cruciate ligament, is very prone to strains and tears. If this ligament is torn, the knee becomes very unstable and the dog will be reluctant to use it. Usually Surgery is required to repair this torn ligament.

Dogs carrying extra pounds of weight place extra demands on virtually all the organs of their bodies. When the body organs are overloaded, disease and sometimes death are the consequences.

Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)

One of the most common complications of obesity in dogs is the development of diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Being over weight causes an increase in the secretion of insulin in response to the increased blood glucose level in the overweight dog. Insulin is also more in demand simply because there is a greater amount of body tissue in an overweight dog. When requirements for insulin exceed the ability of the body to produce insulin, diabetes mellitus develops. If the need for insulin increases over a long period of time, the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin can actually ‘burn out,’ again resulting in diabetes.

Heart disease and increased blood pressure

Something new to dogs in the last 30 some odd years is hypertension. Just as in humans, excess weight tends to cause increased blood pressure (hypertension). The heart obviously has an increased work-load since it must pump additional blood to excess tissues. This can lead to congestive heart failure.

Difficulty breathing

In overweight animals, the lungs are not able to function properly. The additional fat in the chest restricts the expansion of the lungs. The extra fat in the abdomen pushes against the diaphragm, which separates the abdominal cavity from the chest. This also results in less space in the chest for the lungs to expand on inspiration. To make matters worse, the increased quantity of tissue puts an increased demand on the lungs to supply oxygen.

Decreased stamina

Dogs who are overweight have less endurance and stamina. Carrying all that extra weight around takes a lot more work. The heart, muscles, and respiratory system are all asked to do more than they were designed for.

Decreased liver function

The liver stores fat so when a dog is overweight, an increased amount of fat of course, builds up in the liver. This is called hepatic lipidosis. This condition can result in decreased liver function.

Increased surgical and anesthetic risk

We talked about effects of excess weight on the heart and lungs above however, the effects on the heart and lungs have serious ramifications if the dog has to have anesthesia. Cardiac arrest (heart stops) and poor circulation of oxygenated blood to the tissues can occur. Most anesthetics are taken up by fat, so an overweight animal will take longer to come out of anesthesia because the anesthetic must be removed from the fat by the body. In addition and important to know is that most anesthetics are broken down by the liver. A fatty liver will not be as efficient at breaking down anesthetics and other drugs, so again, recovery may be delayed or even death may occur.

The increased fat in the tissues makes surgery its self more difficult. It is harder to find or get at what you are looking for in the body for all the fat. For example, abdominal surgery in an obese dog, there may be literally inches of fat between where the skin incision is made and the organ you need to work on is situated, such as the urinary bladder. So not only is the surgery now more technically difficult but the procedure will take longer then usual, which again increases the anesthetic risk.

Digestive disorders

An overweight dog has an increased risk of developing constipation and may also have more problems with intestinal gas.

Decreased immune function

Obesity in dogs is directly associated with decreased resistance to viral and bacterial infections. Canine distemper and Salmonella infections, especially appear to be more severe in dogs who are overweight.

Skin and hair coat problems

The risk of skin and hair coat diseases are increased in dogs who are overweight. The skin forms more and different types of oils, the skin may fold in on itself creating pockets, which are ideal for the accumulation of oils and the development of infections.

Increased risk of cancer

Studies suggest that obese dogs tend to have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers, including a particular type of cancer of the urinary bladder. A recent study also found that dogs who were obese at one year of age were at greater risk of developing mammary tumors.

Decreased quality and length of life

It should be evident from the above discussion that the over-all health, ability to play, even to breathe, are diminished in overweight dogs. Overweight dogs often become more irritable due to being hot, in pain, or simply uncomfortable. Overweight dogs die at a younger age than those maintained at an optimum weight.

I hope I helped to make it clear that we are not contributing positively to our dog’s health when we allow them to become overweight.

Help Is on the Way

If your dog is already a bit pudgy, don’t despair, while helping your dog to lose a little weight is not as simple or convenient as feeding a kibble prescribed for over-weight dogs, it is not a hopeless endeavor either. If you should decide to commit yourself to helping your dog lose weight then it is best to adopt a holistic approach to the weight loss. You will need to monitor everything from the amount of exercise, the type of food and treats fed to the amount of food and treats, he or she actually partakes in on a daily basis. Be upbeat and positive about the weight loss around your dog. If you are depressed and feel sorry for your dog because you have cut back on the amount of food you are feeding or because the dog appears to prefer napping to walking, your dog will will pick up on those feelings and emotions and react accordingly.

Exercise is a must! There is no way around this. The more muscle mass an animal has, the more calories the animal burns while inactive. Start with short periods of exercise and depending on the age and health of your dog, decide whether to start with short walks or a game of catch. What ever you start out with, be consistent and do it daily. If you have access to a swimming pool your dog can use, this is one of the best ways to exercise your dog, especially if he/she is already effected by joint problems. Increase the time and/or distance every couple of days and do as much exercise as possible out of doors in the sunshine and fresh air.

Take everything into consideration in order to make weight loss successful for your cherished pet. We’re not looking for fast weight loss, because, as with humans, fast weight loss does not always mean the weight will stay off. Fast weight loss and weight gain traumatizes the body. Animals should loose no more than 1-2% of their body weight per week. For instance, if your dog weighs 50 pounds, 1% is 1/2 pound weekly and 2% means 1 pound weekly.

If your dog is not already presenting with ailments or diseases relating to his extra pounds, consider beginning a preventative lifestyle for him/her. Feed a raw, species appropriate diet. At the very least, throw away the kibble and canned food and lightly cook for your dog. Supplement with digestive enzymes, probiotics and natural sources Omega 3 fatty acids.

Make sure you are giving fresh, filtered water to your dog. If you don’t drink your tap water then don’t give it to your dog.

Let’s not “kill” our dogs with what we may consider kindness by giving them that extra little treat when they look at you with those big brown eyes or letting them skip the walk today because they look so content and happy napping on the couch. Love them by gifting them good health and long life with a proper diet, exercise and companionship.

Guest post written by: Cara Gardner DVM, CVA

Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center | @holisticpetdr

Supplements are a great way to help keep your senior dogs (and cats) happy, healthy and aging well. It can be a very difficult process however to wade through the plethora of information out there to find the best and safest options for your pet. Here, I will briefly talk about some supplemental recommendations and some additions to your pet’s diet that will really help add comfort and longevity to his or her life.

1. Antioxidants- A very important supplement that all dogs (and cats) will benefit from as they age. Antioxidants are molecules that circulate in the blood stream and combat debris that is left in the body after any inflammatory process has occurred. This is important for long term health and comfort because this debris can cause damage to other organs and body systems if allowed to circulate and come in contact with other tissues. Arthritis in any joint, muscle pain and soreness, liver or kidney disease, asthma, heart disease… and the list goes on and on, are all inflammatory conditions that leave behind this debris. Most antioxidants contain a mixture of vitamins A, C, E, and selenium. Others are more specific and contain only a few ingredients like CoQ - 10 (or coenzyme Q 10) which has been found to be extremely beneficial in humans to help combat the damage of heart disease.

The Honest Kitchen makes a wonderful organic and holistic antioxidant formulation that I recommend to all of my patients called Invigor. It contains a combination of ingredients that are high in antioxidant power with high levels of vitamins A, C, E, and selenium. Check out www.thehonestkitchen.com for more details and to find out where to purchase their products.

RxVitamins has a CoQ10 product specific for pets that is a wonderful supplement I recommend for dogs with heart disease, kidney disease or arthritis problems. see www.rxvitamins.com/pet/ for more.

2. Essential Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids- A naturally occurring anti-inflammatory that soothes any inflammatory condition in the body. These fatty acids or oils, work by interfering with what is called the inflammatory cascade. They slightly change the body’s immediate response to damage and help soothe the pain and discomfort that usually comes along with inflammation like arthritis. They have been found also to help reduce the risk of heart disease in people due their high antioxidant power! These wonderfully naturally occurring molecules can be found in a number of dietary sources like prepared salmon or sardines, soy beans, tofu and many other nuts and legumes. For dogs however, the best source, if not found in food like Royal Canin’s Skin Support Diet, or Eagle Pack’s Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardine and Salmon dry dog food is a supplemental and very tasty oil put directly on the food such as NuHemp’s Omega Sauce for pets found at www.nuhemp.com or Welactin found at www.nutamaxlabs.com

3. Fiber- Fiber is something of which we all need more! Fiber helps pets regulate their Gi tracts by helping to lubricate the inside of the large intestine. This helps stool to move more easily through the tract so that the waste material from food does not sit as long in the large bowel itself which can cause damage, and allows for less material left within the tract that can potentially cause damage over time. Fiber also helps to regulate blood sugar and curb extreme fluctuations in appetite. Since 80% of the immune system is found in the GI tract, a healthier intestine leads to a healthier pet! An excellent supplement for dogs and cats is The Honest Kitchen’s Perfect Form which combines a number of high fiber natural ingredients to give your pet a healthy and organic fiber supplement option. (see their website above)

4. Probiotics- This is a supplement that will also help keep the GI tract happy and healthy. These little good bacterial compounds help to regulate digestion and keep the numbers of “good” bacteria in the gut up and the numbers of “bad” or unhealthy bacteria down. This regulation will help the body to better break down and therefore absorb much needed nutrients from food. As we age on the outside, our bodies age internally as well, including the GI tract. As it ages it has more difficulty getting all of the beneficial products from the food we eat. To help our pets stay healthy, regular and nutritionally balanced, good digestion is key. These are best offered in powdered food supplements like Total Biotics for pets, www.totalzymes.com or in the food itself. This can be done by a number or processes, but The Honest Kitchen carries dehydrated raw diets (never cooked above 119 degrees F) that contain these essential nutrients to aid in digestion. (see website info above)

Lastly, I would like to advocate the use of whole clove or minced garlic for its antioxidant, prodigestive and anti-inflammatory effects. There is quite a bit of dated information about the use of garlic in dogs and it’s potential negative effects on their health. There is very little clinical or study information that support this claim. When garlic is given to dogs in measured and reasonable amounts, it is very safe. One medium sized clove per 40 pounds once daily has wonderful beneficial effects for dogs with chronic diseases like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. I strongly recommend the use of garlic with almost all of my patients because it is a healthy and all natural way to support immune function, cardiovascular health and digestion.

Hopefully this has been a helpful introduction to the 4 most important supplements for your aging canine companions. For more information feel free to visit the sites above, or below or contact me directly with questions.

About Cara Gardner, DVM, CVA:

Dr. Gardner received her DVM from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Knoxville, TN, Dr. Gardner received a bachelor of arts and science in 1999 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, majoring in Natural Sciences and minoring in Women and Minority Studies. While there she was vice president of the collegiate soccer club team, attended the School for Field Studies Marine Park Management Program in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and was a veterinary assistant at a local clinic. She graduated with the class of 2003 form the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and has a strong interest in brachiocephalic (or ’smush-faced’) breeds, dermatology, behavior, nutrition, and integrative alternative medicine. She completed a dermatology externship with Dr. Terry Grieshaber at the Animal Allergy and Skin Disease Clinic (now Circle City Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital) and has obtained her Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.

Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center | @holisticpetdr

Wow, when you hear stories like this it really changes your perspective of professional athletes. Maybe they really are human with real emotions and genuine interests. Whom might I be referring to you ask? Well, let me start by saying, I am not a baseball fan and most certainly not a fan of the overly paid athletes who play the game but when I read the story about Ken Griffey Junior and his three dogs I had to lighten up a bit. According to an article by Seattlepi.com columnist Jim Moore, Ken Griffey Junior is a big dog fan and considers them apart of the family even going as far as researching what hotels accepts pets before embarking on the family vacation.

Particularly touching, is his love and devotion to his aging 12 year old Rottweiler. Akiba’s been through a lot — she had E. coli as a pup and almost died, and more recently, she had a basketball-size tumor removed from her chest. Moore explains that Griffey and his wife, Melissa, were at a loss with what to do but weren’t ready to give up, It’s no different than one of your kids, you want to try everything you can. With the help of an experimental drug administered through shots given once every two weeks followed by a cycle of once every four weeks the tumor disappeared.

Ken Griffey Junior lovingly talks about the rest of his dogs in the article and shows an honesty of emotions rarely shown by athletes, unless of course, they are found guilty of using muscle enhancements…sorry, but I had too. Haha. Anyway, aging dogs always find a way of tugging on my heart strings and this story reminded me that we really must find ways of keeping them in our lives happy and active for as long as possible. They are great companions and when they give you 12 plus years (as in Griffey’s case) of unconditional love we owe it to them to do what we can.

Full story

As our dogs get older you can’t help but worry about how much time is left and if you are like me you start to overthink each sound or change your dog goes through. Eventually you have to put all your worrying aside and just embrace each day and know that love, happiness, some cool products to help them get around and a good diet can combat many of the challenges of aging.

But what about the notion of cloning? Have you ever thought about having your dog’s DNA preserved to one day go through a cloning process? Well this is a topic that is getting discussed more and more these days and one that is no longer just a plot in a sci-fi movie. Cloning is quickly becoming a reality as companies like BioArts International make this service possible. The price is around $150,000 and unlike movies such as the 6th Day, cloning does not produce an exact replica of your beloved four-legged friend.

As I discussed in an earlier blog on cloning I am unsettled yet curious about the process. I am torn because of a personal experience I am going through with the loss of my best friend Churchill, my 12 year old Frenchie and so this concept, this possibility, is intriguing to me, but at the same time super weird.

If cloning was covered by pet insurance or was under $5000 would people be flocking to these companies? Is it the price tag or the act of cloning itself that has created so much mixed emotion on the subject?

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.