Weight Loss
Canine obesity is not just one disease – it represents a major risk factor for a plethora of serious yet preventable health problems. Obestity puts pets at unnecessary risk of developing diabetes mellitus, urinary incontinence, osteoarthritis, and pulmonary diseases, as well as many other life-threatening conditions, and is also a risk factor for a shortened life span.
Veterinary rehabilitation practices offer the opportunity for safe and successful weight loss programs that will assist clients with obese dogs. Many patients present with a varied number of comorbidities (such as osteoarthritis) that must be carefully managed to ensure their safety. Veterinary rehabilitation therapists are perfectly positioned to help these dogs.
Consequences of obesity
1
Chronic low-grade inflammation
Chronic low-grade inflammation is a prominent basis used to explain how obesity results in numerous negative health consequences.
2
Predisposes pets to diseases
Obesity predisposes patients to other diseases, such as orthopaedic disorders, cardiovascular disease, respiratory alterations, insulin resistance and specific types of neoplasia.
3
Reduced life expectancy and quality of life
Recent research found that the lifespan of overweight dogs was up to 2 & a 1/2 years shorter, on average, than the lifespan of dogs with a healthy body weight. In addition to diseases predisposed by obesity, dogs that are overweight have been shown to have lower vitality and higher emotional disturbance scores than their healthier counterparts.