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Old Dog Resources
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Obesity Poses Serious Health Hazards to Pets
Obesity affects pets adversely in many ways. Overweight pets tend to play and
exercise less and don't live as long as healthy pets do. In fact, the list of
harmful effects of obesity on pets is a long one.
Overweight pets have a lower resistance to infection and tend to be less able to
fight off infectious diseases. Obese pets also have an increased incidence of
arthritis (degenerative joint disease), spinal disc problems, and torn knee
ligaments than normal pets. Overweight pets also have more problems moving about
than their thinner counterparts.
Obesity leads to impaired endurance during exercise, increased fatigue, and high
blood pressure. The increased workload on the heart contributes to an increase
in heart disease in overweight pets, leading eventually to congestive heart
failure.
Diagnosis is more difficult in obese pets, because it is more difficult to
auscultate or palpate a fat pet, or to get proper samples. Fat pets are at a
greater risk during anesthesia and surgery since they have reduced lung
function, decreased liver and kidney function, greater risk of wound infection,
and require more anesthetic than normal pets.
The incidence of skin problems is 40 per cent higher in overweight dogs than
dogs at optimum body weight. Because of the insulating properties of fat,
overweight pets are less able to endure hot weather, and many become more
irritable.
Other problems associated with obesity include:
* Diabetes mellitus-Pets that are obese have an increased risk and severity of diabetes mellitus.
* Gastrointestinal problems- Overweight pets have increased constipation, flatulence and stomach ulcers.
* Increased cancer rate- There is also a higher cancer rate in overweight pets. For example, the incidence of cancer is 50 per cent higher in overweight
dogs than in healthy dogs.
* Reduced liver function- Due to the accumulation of fat in the liver, the liver's ability to function can be compromised in obese pets.
* High blood pressure- high blood pressure (hypertension) worsens with obesity, and hypertension increases the risk of kidney, heart and vascular
diseases.
* Impaired hormone release- the release of growth hormone is impaired in overweight pets, as is their reproductive efficiency.
All these effects contribute to a reduced life span and affect the quality of a pet's life. Pets that are healthy and physically fit tend to live longer, are
happier, and enjoy life more. Consult your veterinarian to find out how you can keep your pet physically fit and healthy.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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