When a four-legged friend eats well, his master is satisfied - the dog is healthy and active. But some pet owners spoil too voracious dogs, give them food from their table. They do not understand that this is harmful. It comes to the fact that the thickest dog in the world has already become a nomination in the Guinness Book of Records.
Of course, there are stocky or fluffy dogs that always look voluminous. But at the same time, representatives of these breeds can both run and jump, which indicates excellent physical condition. This is not about them.
Record Weight Obesity
The first place among the fat dogs of the canine world is occupied by Cassie, who reached 58 kilograms with a maximum breed tolerance of 21 kilograms. The owners of this Border Collie fed her chips and chocolate so much that she could no longer walk. When animal defenders learned about it, they took up her health. For a walk, the thickest dog was literally carried out on the ropes. The food had to be completely changed, which caused the weight to recede.
If for a border collie a huge belly was an obstacle when walking, then what can we say about the almost round dog of the Dachshund breed - Ob, repeating the story of Cassie. This dog lived in Oregon with an elderly couple who always fed the dog when he requested. By the age of five, Ob was no longer able to walk due to his hanging abdomen. His legs could not lift the body, he crawled.
What did Obi eat?
The owners of the thickest dog Ob could not resist the sight of a doggie asking for a meal. Already gaining a lot of weight, he continued to ask for a handout. What happened often happens with animals far from veterinary medicine: Ob's metabolic disorder.
Food from the table is not for dogs. But there is a choice. If you treat the dog with salad, fruit, lactic acid products and give it not in between meals, but at set hours, trouble could still be prevented. Unfortunately, people believe that dogs do not eat this. Therefore, they are fed with sausages, fried meatballs, sandwiches with mayonnaise, potato chips, cakes and a lot of harmful products.
Round dachshund
Obi weighed 35 kilograms instead of ten. The dog needed special care: he was not something he could not raise his paw on a walk, he could not walk at all. When he crawled along the ground, his stomach was injured and the dog screeched. They sewed a special apron, but this did not solve the problem. His elderly owners asked for help from a local veterinarian.
Doctor Nora Vanatta set a goal: to help the dog lose weight in a year. How was the process of losing weight, Nora regularly posted on the Internet. I must say, the dog was watched all over the world. He was supported and paid attention that overweight people can take an example from Ob.
The process of losing weight began in 2012 and by May 2013, the Ob was already weighing 18 kilograms. Protein-rich foods have been replaced by overweight dog food and hydrotherapy, which Nora prescribed. Throughout the summer of 2013, the dog took active walks, continuing to decrease in volume. By autumn, the weight reached the long-awaited 12 kilograms.
Soft but persistent
Ob was in new unusual conditions. Instead of tasty sausages, they gave him carrots. He looked expressively at Nora, sitting at the bowl, and she took pictures of his torment and put it on the Internet. The dog did not understand why they began to feed him differently. Of course, he used all his canine charm to soften the new mistress. But she was adamant.
To normalize weight, movement was necessary. Nora put on an apron made of tarpaulin on the dog so that he would not hurt his stomach, and gently but persistently drove him out for a walk. He took two or three steps, stopping to rest. Sometimes objected. But the sly Nora pretended not to understand, and hooted merrily.
Deflated ball
The thinner belly of the former thickest dog was now hanging, preventing Obi from walking. The apron, which he wore for a long time, did not help anymore - he hung out on a thin body and could not support the dragged belly. The dog gave the impression of a deflated ball. Nora decided to send the pet for plastic surgery.
During the operation, the dog was cut off a whole kilogram of saggy skin. After that, during the rehabilitation period, he behaved well: he didn’t gnaw seams, allowed to put droppers and dutifully lay the prescribed time in bed.
Nora's publications on dog life have found many fans. They began to send money to Ob, and Nora was able to provide him with excellent treatment. It took four years to recover.
Causes of Obesity in Dogs
Dogs are active animals. These are not sloths and not koalas. They need walks, outdoor games and toys at home. Especially dachshund, because this breed is bred for hunting. If she becomes bored, her appetite may increase. Experts warn against violation of the feeding regime of the dog, as this provokes a constant desire to intercept a piece.
The dog's stomach can stretch very much, but this is not for the body a sign of the onset of satiety. The saturation mechanism in them is balanced so that when the necessary quantity and quality of food is received, the chemical signal in the brain changes. The appetite disappears, the process of digesting food begins.
Constant handouts from the table lead to the formation of a conditioned reflex. At the sounds of clinking utensils and cutlery, when appetizing smells soar in the air, saliva is released from the dog and she asks for food. Very quickly in this mode, the metabolism is disrupted, which leads to diseases of the liver and heart. Concomitant diseases gradually lead the dog to disability.
Veterinarian Tips
At the doctor’s appointment, animals are necessarily weighed, chest height and volume are measured. If these parameters are significantly higher than normal, you will need to pass tests. In such cases, a veterinary diet for dogs is prescribed. There are no universal solutions, all animals are different. Someone is prescribed Hills, someone is Royal Canin, the most low-calorie is Purina, for those prone to constipation - Eukanuba. Therefore, obesity is treated individually.
It is important to understand that overfeeding has led to changes in internal organs. They cannot function in the previous mode, therefore they prescribe the correction of the daily regimen and diet. Self-administration of a lower-calorie diet can lead to an imbalance of minerals, which will entail new diseases.
For all problems, the best solution is to follow the advice of a doctor. Now veterinary medicine can do a lot. Regular examinations could save Ob even earlier. He would not have to go a long way in recovery. It is good that he was given to the veterinarian on time. Five years is the heyday for a dog. Ob's body coped, but at a later age its weight would mean premature death.
Conclusion
When they get a dog, they hardly want her torment. Perhaps, at first, all recommendations for raising a puppy are followed: they give him nutritious foods, cook cereals and rub meat. But the puppy grows quickly, adores its owners, and those, in turn, him, and therefore can not refuse, when he asks for food. Therefore, we must remember: up to a year, a young body is growing rapidly, four feedings for it is the norm. But after their number is reduced to two.
Most likely, the thickest dog is also the most beloved, the most caressed and spoiled. At least Obi has a wonderful character. Before giving an extra piece to your pet, remember this dog, who lost weight for four years. He did this with the daily support of Nora's veterinarian, went through an operation that cost a lot of money. Can you give the same to your dog in case of obesity?