Struggling with weight clinic

RE: Struggling with weight clinic

emma clarke — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 12:58:56 GMT

I've had a similar case. Long term steroid use in dogs can lead to Cushing's. It might be worth talking to a vet and discussing this. As it was with my case it came back that she does have Cushings which is why she kept gaining even though she was on the lowest amount of food I could realistically get away with.

Otherwise I agree with what others have said previously.

RE: Struggling with weight clinic

Vikki.stoddart90 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:29:52 GMT

Thank you for the replies!!

I did think well muscle weighs more than fat so I gave the owners a tape measure to use at home and see how he gets on. I'm also keeping a record of chest and waist measurments when I see him each month.

Unluckily due to money and his allergies they are not wanting to swap him onto Royal Canin or Hills (has had these before and still been sensitive to them even the sensitive foods or GI).

I will try asking about the tray idea and see if that helps get him moving about a bit more, apparently he has started playing with the cat a bit recently so seems he is feeling better. Owners unlikely to be able to pay for hydrotherapy but I will ask.

At the moment both husband and wife bring the dog in so I get both sides of the story usually which always helps

RE: Struggling with weight clinic

Kim Rathbone — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 22:27:08 GMT

I agree with what has been said so far.

It is easy to forget that when you start the weight clinics you see this extremely overweight dog, look harder and they have extreme muscle wastage as well. I have had this a few times when I do my weight clinics they often do really well to start with, they start walking more and their muscle tone improves, but no weight loss, so I take measurements and there is always a loss on waist line, which for me means it's still working. I compare this to me when I did loads of exercise to lose weight, I was getting slimmer but my weight increased by 2kg, it was all muscle. So keep taking them measurements, if anything this is proof the diet is still working.

I have a border collie that i am seeing at the moment that is extremely over weight, apparently has food allergies etc.... I still put this dog on royal Canin satiety, low in fat, high in fibre, good for joints and skin. Since starting the diet her skin and coat have improved, she is losing weight, her muscle tone is improving and she likes it! She will stay on this diet long term, this dog weighs 48kg (start weight 49.5kg) so I still have a way to go, but we will do it.

Also you need to see them every two weeks until your happy the clients understand the routine of weighing the food, keeping a food diary and exercise program as well. When doing weight clinics don't just concentrate on weight loss, check they are getting around ok, that way you know when to start introducing things like puzzle feeders in the house etc.... Get that bond with the client and remember to always praise the owner to keep them motivated. give it a personal touch, offer them an award if they do well, like money off food or a free bag, mention them on Facebook so they get followers.

Keep going, if no improvement, change diet to Royal Canin, it is designed to work and is can be fed to must dogs with various problems and can be used long term with no problems.

RE: Struggling with weight clinic

Kelly Eyre — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:51:35 GMT

Are you using an obesity diet like Royal Canin or Hills Metabolic?

i find these are the easiest route to take, although allergies can make this difficult, I'm not sure if they do a hypoallergenic version.

Try asking the owners to feed him off a large tray? Means he has to move his head around a bit more. Or to just scatter the food on the floor. Would the owners be willing to try some hydrotherapy? Nice on the joints and great exercise for weight loss.

Also, the client may not be telling the whole truth! Is it always the wife or husband that brings the dog? Getting a different member of the family to bring the dog might give a different insight in to their home routine

RE: Struggling with weight clinic

PSA-David — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:08:30 GMT

just consider muscle weights more than fat! with smaller surface area.