Excess In Dog Body Weight

The terms "obesity" refers to an excess in dog body weight caused by accumulation of fat in the body. This may be confined to cer­tain localized areas, or it may be distributed throughout the organism. It appears rather commonly in dogs, smaller breeds seeming to be more susceptible to obesity than larger ones.

Obesity is caused most often by excessive feeding and lack of exercise. Phlegmatic animals tend to become fat be­cause of insufficient activity and, of course, lack of exercise. Castration sometimes induces this phlegmatism and may be considered as another predisposing factor. The same may be said about spaying though animals get fat after spaying much less often than after castration. The tendency of cas­trated animals to get fat seems to be more marked if the operation is performed after, rather than before, maturity. Certain glandular disturbances, such as insufficiency of the secretions of the thyroid glands, may also cause excess in dog body weight. Certain anemic conditions which cause a reduction of mus­cular energy may also lead to the accumulation of body fat.

The most common locations of observable body fat de­posits are the neck, hips, shoulders, and abdomen. The ani­mal shows a rapid increase in weight, a change of body con­tour, and a change in disposition. The animal breathes heav­ily after light exercise. The diagnosis of the condition is ob­vious.

Obesity or excess in dog body weight is not good for the well-being of the animal. It often leads to derangements of the vital organs, especially the heart, and seems to predispose the animal to digestive dis­turbances and anemia. It is advisable, therefore, to adminis­ter appropriate measures to eliminate or control the condi­tion.

Treatment consists in eliminating the cause. Since im­proper feeding and lack of exercise are most often respon­sible, regulated feeding and proper exercise will commonly result in a rapid cure. There is also now manufactured a spe­cial reducing diet for dogs that can be obtained on a veteri­narian's prescription. This method is both scientific and effec­tive. Where there are constitutional disturbances, ultimate success will depend on how amenable these conditions are to treatment. In fat castrated or spayed animals, usually noth­ing is done because of the long duration and often prohibitive expense of the treatment. In the latter instance, probably the best routine would be to feed the prescription reducing diet.

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