Keeping Fido fit: Dog obesity a growing problem

Vet assistant Jane Griffin doesn't have to go far to find overweight dogs. After seeing some while working for All Paws House Calls, she goes home to her canine abode where she nicknamed one of her three dogs "Fat," a 2-year-old bulldog.

Her name was Tulip until six months ago Griffin noticed the Old English dog had a weight problem. Fat should weigh 55 pounds but comes in at 80 - a drastic departure from her other dog, a slim Shar-Pei called Mabel.

The issue also didn't go unnoticed by her boss, veterinarian Kelly Doria, who called the dog obese and the equivalent to a 350-pound person.

"When they're that bad, so many things can happen," Doria said, listing a number of diseases. "The lean animals live longer."

Veterinarians generally define a dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight as obese, and another 20- to 30 percent are overweight.

"I don't understand it. I feed them the same thing," Griffin said.

A new drug called Slentrol by Pfizer is expected to be out in spring with the idea of helping dogs like Fat. Slentrol, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved last week, has not hit the market yet but Griffin said she'd read up on it. A veterinarian's advice should come easy to her.

Tahoe veterinarians and some dog owners have heard about Slentrol but reserved judgment on how it works and how effective it could be at curbing the diets of overweight and obese dogs.

Slentrol is intended to reduce a dog's appetite and absorb fat, resulting in weight loss.

"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies because dog obesity appears to be increasing," said Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

From Roundhill Animal Hospital to the Alpine clinic on Emerald Bay Road, most South Shore veterinarians have seen a surge in the number of dogs with conditions resulting from being overweight such as diabetes, liver disease and arthritis.

To Dr. Kevin Willits, the practice of overfeeding our dogs the wrong thing - mainly human food - and not exercising them can shave three years off their lives.

He believes some dogs may be overweight because of a thyroid condition, genetics or even a body type.

"You never see a Greyhound overweight," he said. "There are some dogs that no matter what you do they have a problem."

David Novotny of Sierra Veterinary Hospital said much of the problem lies with the owners.

"For a number of people, all they feed their dogs is fast food - including Kentucky Fried Chicken," he said. "I tell people: 'If you give kids a chance to eat candy, they'll eat candy.' That's what happens with dogs. The dogs will train you."

He estimated the ratio of overweight dogs in Tahoe to be higher than the rest of the nation - about half of the canines the vet sees.

Veterinarian Carl Kelly said dog owners can determine whether their pets are overweight by feeling and counting their 13 ribs.

"You shouldn't have to dig for them," he said.

Kelly also recommended a dog should be tapered whereas it's wider in the chest and slimmer in the abdomen. One can also tell a dog is overweight by the sluggish behavior.

"But that could be an age thing or heart condition," he said.

Kelly said allowing a dog to be overweight becomes a larger problem with the chance of injuries - especially is an obese dog suddenly springs to chase something and hurts itself jumping over a log or rock.

"Obesity is much more prevalent now than 20 years ago," he said. Kelly attributes that to dog food makers trying to compete by making their food tastier.

The only human food Deb Redmon feeds her dog Sober is carrots, and the yellow-eyed dog's body type shows that. Redmon said she'd refuse to use a diet drug to curb the 6-year-old yellow Labrador's appetite. Instead, exercise is a regular part of the regimen. She walks Sober up the Old Meyers Grade on a regular basis.

Tahoe's animal control office in Meyers reports 898 licensed dogs in South Lake Tahoe.

Americans own 65 million dogs, and about 39 percent of U.S. households have at least one, according to the Humane Society of the United States.



(breakout) Tips for dog owners

-- Be aware that obesity is a potential problem, so keep in mind that an empty bowl is not a clue that Fido needs more food.

-- Cut back on the kibble in the bowl at the very least.

-- Feed appropriate snacks - not human food.

-- Watch the fat intake.

-- Have your dog exercise regularly.

-- Keep the dog away from the dinner table at meal time.