BLUEFIELD —



Even Fido is having a hard time staying trim and slim these days. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly one out of every four dogs and cats in the Western world is overweight. And some of those animals are obese — a shock to many pet owners. Animal lovers with overweight pets are turning to professionals for help in what Dr. Dan Montgomery of Princeton’s Animal Care Center calls a constant and gradual health problem for dogs and cats.

“We are seeing greater numbers,” Montgomery said.

In his six and a half years at the center, he has seen an increase in animals becoming alarmingly overweight, many now classified as obese.

“We are looking at 10 percent of patients that are obese; 30 to 40 percent are overweight,” he said.

And while comics and cartoons make light of one famous animal’s eating habits — that big orange tabby cat named Garfield — the results are not kind for cats and dogs. Just like humans, animals face medical problems from extra weight. Montgomery warns that overweight and obese dogs can experience heart problems, diabetes, muscular and orthopedic problems.

Dr. April Munique, of Veterinary Associates in Princeton and Bluefield, says many dogs develop bad hips, knees and backs due to the extra weight. Dogs also have a hard time bouncing back from any surgery. And the worse case scenario? A shorter life span.

Extra weight is not attributed to a specific species or breed. At Animal Care Center, there are more overweight dogs than cats, with the majority of dogs being house dogs. Basically, it is any dog that doesn’t burn enough calories. And even the economy factors into a dog’s weight problem. Cheaper dog food is appealing to the conservative shopper, but it might actually expand a dog’s waistline. Low cost dog food can pack on the pounds, due to low-quality ingredients.

But what can be done to help man’s best friend — whether canine or feline — drop a few pounds?



The diet

Just like humans, pets need to be placed on a diet. Montgomery recommends owners switch their animal’s food to products high in fiber with less calories per bite. Owners can find diet dog and cat food in local retail stores.

“The biggest part is going to be the diligence of the owner,” Montgomery said. “You have to remember that just because they look hungry, it doesn’t mean that they are.”

Stick to the feeding instructions on the back of dog food bags and cans. Set up a routine, whether it be once a day or morning and evening. But remember every dog is different and there is not an ideal number of feedings.

The worse habit, and perhaps the hardest to break, is treats. Munique says owners are asking for trouble by handing out treats, especially those from the dinner table.

“It is the biggest problem,” she said.

Owners tend to treat their animals to a bite of table food as a treat, but add up breakfast, lunch and dinner and it turns into a weight problem. For example, a Chihuahua’s stomach is a small fraction of a humans. An extra couple of bites of a hamburger or steak is too much for a small dog.

Besides expanding the stomach, Montgomery explains that giving a dog table food is like giving a smoker several packs of cigarettes. It adds up. Table food can cause bad teeth, vomiting and it can even be fatal.

“It is very fatty for a dog to deal with,” Montgomery said.



The pill

In March of 2007, Pfizer Animal Health released a FDA approved weight management drug for dogs. With more than 17 million U.S. dogs considered overweight or obese, the pill is being considered as a milestone for veterinarians and dog owners. Taken once a day, Slentrol decreases appetite, reducing body fat. Montgomery said pet owners aim for a 3 percent body fat reduction per month.

Unlike human weight loss, only a small amount of weight loss is needed for improvement. Carmen Parks, a Princeton resident, is using Slentrol to treat a 9-year old Chihuahua named Spanky. At her heaviest, Spanky weighed 11 pounds. After five months, she is down to 10.1 pounds.

“We are on a very slow schedule since she is so small,” Parks said. She is hoping Spanky will eventually weigh 6 to 7 pounds.

At Spanky’s latest check-up, she lost two-tenths of a pound. The dog visits Montgomery’s office once a month for a weight check. Since introducing the Chihuahua to Slentrol, Parks has noticed Spanky’s desire to play and an increase in energy.

“She is doing so well,” Parks said.

How did Spanky gain weight? Parks believe age combined with extra dog food contributed to Spanky’s health problem. The Chihuahua shares the home with four other dogs. Now, the dogs eat separately, which allow Parks to control Spanky’s caloric intake.



The workout

Even if its 10 degrees outside, Regina and Tommy Farmer of Lashmeet make sure that their dog, Bandit, is walked three times a day. A pit bull and Dalmatian mix, Bandit gained weight after surgery to remove bladder stones. His owners had to place him on a high carbohydrate diet that, according to Regina Farmer, “blew him up like a balloon.” His other habit — a commonality for most canines — is sneaking and eating cat food.

A patient of Green Valley Animal Hospital in Bluefield, Bandit weighed 112 pounds. Thanks to a better diet, routine walks and the weight loss drug, Slentrol, the 11-year old dog has lost three pounds.

But Regina Farmer admits it is hard on the family to not give in and treat the family pet.

“He is like a member of our family. We like to share with him what he have,” Regina Farmer said.

The Farmers have cut out all treats, including rewards for doggie tricks. But they are eager for Bandit’s next appointment. Just by looking at the dog, Farmer sees a difference, but the scale will tell the truth.

Even outside dogs can struggle with weight issues. With lots of room to run around, Dolly Joy, a long-haired Dodson, still gained too much weight for her small frame. At 67 pounds, Dolly could barely walk up the steps at Stephen and Judy Peck’s home in Rock. One of 13 rescue dogs, Dolly is also a patient of Montgomery’s at Animal Care Center. The center is keeping records on the Dodson’s weight loss, which is around 17 pounds, thanks to Slentrol.

“She just got lazy,” said her owner, Stephen Peck. “All she wanted to do is eat and sleep.”

Since her weight loss, she is moving better now, taking advantage of her owner’s acreage.

“She is running around like a puppy,” Peck said.

But some owners and their pets do not have the advantage of extra land where dogs can run and play to expend energy and calories. In some cases, owners can walk a dog on a treadmill, which is an option, according to Montgomery.

“We want to be careful. For some dogs, it wouldn’t be safe. If they fall, they could get hurt,” he said.

If you place a dog on a treadmill, stay with the animal. Be aware that the machine’s noise and motion could scare or alarm a family pet. Some companies sell dog treadmills, which run around $700. But general exercise is best for animals. Throw a ball. Go for walks. Hit the park. Or take the dog outside when you get mail, work in the yard or shovel snow.

“Do it together,” Montgomery said. “Anything to increase activity in your dog is wonderful.”