272 May 2017 - Gryffe Advertizer

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Pet Blog
by PetVets
The pitter patter
of tiny paws can
be heard across
Glasgow as the city
welcomes four lifechanging
puppies
Obesity in Pets
Unfortunately obesity is an increasing
problem we see in pets which has
significant health implications. It occurs when the energy intake is
greater than the energy expenditure.
Factors contributing to weight gain, include overfeeding, feeding
an inappropriate diet eg. Feeding human foods or excessive treats,
and insufficient exercise. Neutering can also be a factor in weight
gain as animals that have been neutered require around 30% less
calories.
Some health problems have a higher incidence in obese animals including;
• Respiratory problems: Tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, chronic bronchitis
and feline asthma.
• Orthopaedic problems: Arthritis, cruciate disease and certain fracture types.
• Dermatology: Inability to groom, skin fold dermatitis, and general poor coat
quality.
• Metabolic disease: Diabetes mellitus
• Urinary problems: Feline lower urinary tract disease (recurrent cystitis in cats)
and incontinence in female dogs.
Obesity can also significantly increase the risks involved with general anaesthetics
and surgical procedures.
For an animal to lose weight it is necessary to increase the energy expenditure and
decrease the energy intake.
Canine Partners’ Glasgow puppy training group’s
newest recruits have arrived – and they’re following in
the paw prints of their mum.
The group which trains assistance dogs for physically
disabled people has welcomed its newest recruits –
four-month-old Tamia and Tessa and three-month-old
siblings Ursa and Urban.
It comes just five years after Ursa and Urban’s mum
Helena, a Labrador cross golden retriever, was trained
by the charity’s West Scotland team, based in Paisley.
Helena graduated to become one of Canine Partners’
breeding hounds, becoming a mother to assistance
dogs of the future.
Now the charity is calling for more volunteers, known
as puppy parents, which look after trainee assistance
dogs like its four new arrivals in their homes for around
a year and help with basic training, socialisation and
obedience.
Ursa’s puppy parent Marjorie Johnston has been a
puppy parent for four years.
The 60-year-old gran-of-two from Kilmarnock, said: “I
had been involved in the charity, but then I had a bit
of time on my hands so decided to become a puppy
parent.
“People say it must be hard giving the puppy up but you have
to think about what they end up doing. When you see an
active partnership it makes it all worthwhile.
“The Paisley group is friendly and a good community. We
sometimes meet up outside our puppy training classes for a
coffee together.
“It’s very social and it’s great to see the puppies’ progress.
It’s fun taking them around the shops and introducing them
to new things and places.
“The group thinks it’s nice that two of Helena’s puppies have
come back. I wasn’t with Canine Partners when she was
here but other people remember her because she was full of
mischief – just like our Ursa.”
People can meet Tamia, Tessa, Ursa and Urban and
find out more about being a puppy parent at Canine
Partners’ special Big Glasgow Bluebell Walk and Fun
Day.
The walk will start at Pollokshaw Burgh Hall in Glasgow
from 12-4pm on May 7 and take participants through
Pollok Country Park.
The event will feature a raffle and tombola and more
than 20 craft stalls selling quality handmade goodies.
There will also be a demonstration of some of the skills
the charity’s assistance dogs learn which help boost
disabled people’s independence and confidence.
The dogs can open doors, pick up and fetch items, help
someone dress and undress and even load a washing
machine. They also learn to get help in an emergency.
For more information call Dale Gormley on 0845 4811915 or
visit caninepartners.org.uk/bigbluebellwalks.
Increasing the energy expenditure is achieved by increasing
exercise.
In dogs: • Increasing number and/or length of walks
• Hydrotherapy if arthritis/weight/other issues restrict walks
• Fetch and retrieving games
• Off lead exercise
In cats: • Increasing play time • Using activity balls and feed toys
• Feeding at a height (cat has
to jump/climb to reach food)
• Hiding food
Decreasing energy intake - This is
achieved by reducing the number of
calories the animal is consuming. This
means sticking to a recommended diet.
There are a number of veterinary
recommended prescription foods
available aimed at weight loss in cats and
dogs which have a lower calorie content
than most commercial pet foods. This
means that feeding the recommended
amount of one of these diets provides
less calories without restricting other
essential nutrients within the diet.
If you think your pet is overweight contact
Petvets for a free weight check and advice.