Got Ribs? - Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America

:-r two percent oftheir initial weight each week is a safe pace.
3e1ond increasing actMty levels, a decrease in food intake may likely be necessary. When determining how much to
::ed, ifyou're feeding a commercial diet, you should be using manufacturer's feeding recommendations (found on the
: :gs) as an general starting point - not as something set in stone. Tlpically, those recommendations are for much more
::od than the average dog needs. Our Swissies tend to be "easy keepers" in relation to their size; their calorie requirerents
just don't seem to be as high as you'd think.
: -'metimes a change in food will be the key to inciting weight loss. This is a good subject to talk to your vet and breeder
::out and so I won't go into a lot of depth here. They may want you to simply try decreasing the amount of your current
: -'od (and increase exercise, of course !), other times they will have you try a "prescription" or specific weight loss diet,
:rd many times a low-carbohydrate product is more appropriate. Typically the food change is only necessary in severely
:' erweight cases.
: -' show your Swissy how much you love him by spending some extra time playing, take him for a walk. Don't be
::mpted to give him an extra scoop to show your love. Let the "Great" in Greater Swiss refer to his stature and character
- not his girth. I recently spoke with a woman who put it pretty well when she said, "if your dog's too fat, there may be
:ore to love, but there will be less time to love him."
Legina Reese
ISMDCA Health Committee
Glossary
-{KC/CIIF NPCCH (National Parent Club Canine Health) Conference: A biennial conference co-sponsored by
the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and the Nestle Purina Pet Care Company, where representatives
tuom each breed's Parent Club are invited to leam about the latest in canine health research and discovery with an emphasis
on genomics and funded programs. Please see additional information in the "Health Committee AKC/CIIF
Conference Report" and the President's message in this issue
Body Condition Scores: ratings to determine a dog's overall body condition. Body Condition Score is the BEST indicator
ofan individual dog's caloric needs. Please see sidebar for more information
Ideal Body Condition: physical assessment ofhealth defined as when you can feel and see the outline ofa dog's ribs,
there is a waist when viewed from above and the abdomen is tucked up when viewed ftom the side
Endocrinopathies: literally, diseases ofan endocrine gland. A medical term for a hormone problem
Obesity: obesity in humans is defined as being2jo/o or more over one's ideal weight. In dogs, while there is no set
number, this is a generally accepted figure. More important in identiffing obesity than weight are body condition
scores
Polyphagia: excessive eating/excessive hunger
Risk Facfor: Somethingthat increases one's chances of developing a disease
References:
Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs.
Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, Mantz SL, Biery DN, Greeley EH, Lust G, Segre M, Smith GK, Stowe HD. Pet Nurrition
Research Department, Nestle Purina Pet Care Co, St Louis, MO 63164, USA.
Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs.
Smith GK, Paster ER, Powers MY, Lawler DF, Biery DN, Shofer FS, McKelvie PJ, Kealy RD. Department of Clinical
Studies, School ofVeterinary Medicine, University ofPennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104-6010, USA.
Peggy Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT, University of Minnesota at the AKC CHF National Parent Club canine
Health conference, in her presentation "Canine Reproduction"
Robert Bussa, DVM, Mt. Scott Animal Hospital, Portland, OR
The Fat Dog Site, http:// www.geocities.com/fatdogsite
Understanding Your Dog's Body Condition, http:// www.purina.com/dogs/health,tsodyCondition.aspx
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