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Free Clinic Aims To Keep Pets From The Dog Pounds

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By B.C. MANION, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2008

LUTZ - Your dog may be overweight - and you may not even realize it.

And that lack of awareness could jeopardize the health of your favorite four-legged friend.

To help combat canine obesity, Pfizer Animal Health has joined forces with the American Kennel Club Humane Fund and veterinarians across the country to launch The National Canine Weight Check, a free way to find out whether your dog is overweight.

To get a realistic picture of your dog's health, you can take your dog to participating veterinary clinics throughout February for a free weight check. Numerous local veterinarians are participating, so go to www.stopcanineobesity.com to find the one nearest to you.

The Van Dyke Animal Clinic at 6066 Van Dyke Road is among those taking part.

Michele Kahl, the veterinarian at the clinic which opened Jan. 14, said many dog owners - especially of breeds with heavier coats - fail to recognize their pet has a weight problem.

The fur hides the extra pounds, and the owners often think it's natural for certain breeds to be large, so they don't worry about the animal's weight, she said.

It's a nationwide issue, according to a Pfizer study that revealed veterinarians estimated 47 percent of their canine clients had a weight problem, but only 17 percent of the owners perceived it.

There's also a tendency by some pet owners to shy away from the topic, Kahl said.

"People are uncomfortable talking about their own weight. Their pets are a reflection of who they are, so that can get touchy," she said.
Pet owners sometimes express affection for their pets by giving them table scraps, treats and junk food, she said.

"I have people come in all of the time who say they give their dogs ice cream, or take their dogs to McDonald's," she said. "A lot of people feed them potato chips."

They don't realize that the extra pounds can put their pooch at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and a whole host of health problems, Kahl said. Risk factors vary by breed.

Owners of overweight dogs also tend to underestimate what their pooch eats, Kahl said. They might tell her the pet doesn't eat much - only a half-cup of dog food. But when pressed, they admit the dog gets treats and table scraps - sometimes from every member of the family.
Pet owners often forget pets are much smaller than people, so it's possible for a pet to eat its entire daily calories within a few minutes of begging, Kahl said.

The free weigh-in gives people a chance to get a true look at their dog's health and learn ways to combat canine obesity, Kahl said.

The evaluation takes about 10 minutes to do, and pet owners will have a chance to ask questions and learn to assess their pets, Kahl said.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

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