Old Dogs’ Health Problem

It's...OBESITY! Just like in humans, the side-effects of obesity are deadly. But why are senior dogs more likely to become obese? While getting spayed/neutered does NOT cause obesity, hormonal changes and age affect metabolism. Senior dogs (who are more likely to be spayed and neutered) have slower metabolisms and require less calories, more fiber and less fat. In addition, they need a higher quality of protein. However, as owners, we often fail to make the necessary adjustments in their diets. Consequently, our dogs gain weight.

What is considered obese? Just like with humans, you can easily tell by looking. While you shouldn't be able to see a dog's individual ribs, you should be able to feel them. Other things to consider are whether there is a visible waist indention and a thick tail. Does your dog have a large, wobbly belly? Even a thin fat layer greater than.5 cm is the start of obesity.

While all senior dogs are at risk of obesity, certain breeds are especially at risk. These include labs, beagles, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, chihuahuas, pugs, dachsunds and herding breeds.

So you dog has a little bit of a belly. What's the big deal? The wear and tear on the body from carrying all of that extra weight leads to other deadly medical conditions. Excess weight not only causes wear and tear on the ligaments, it can make a dog more prone to ACL strains, tears and worsen/cause osteoarthritis. In fact, osteoarthritis is one of the first signs of obesity. It worsens other pre-existing conditions, too, such as hip displaysia, collapsing trachea, and luxating patellas.

But it also affects a dog's quality of life. Being overweight makes it harder to breath because excess fat around the chest area makes it harder to fully expand the lungs and get a good breath. It's harder for the dog to move around. It causes cardiovascular stress because the heart has to pump harder to get blood to the extra tissue, resulting in hypertension. It leads to diabetes. Digestion is impaired. Even decreased liver function - fat is stored in the liver, and when a dog is overweight the liver becomes overloaded with lipids. In fact, excess weight is harder on ALL organs because it forces them to work harder. Consequently, the body becomes more susceptible to other illnesses and disease.

One of more unknown problems relating to obesity in dogs is that is creates a higher risk of death and complications while under anesthesia. Anesthetics are absorbed by fat, so obese dogs end up absorbing more of them and have a harder time coming out of anesthesia. Since the liver is already strained by built-up fat, it has a harder time breaking down the anesthesia.

But perhaps the scariest potential side effect of obesity is an increased risk of cancer. Studies suggest obese dogs are at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer, mammary cancer and lipomas. Lipomas are those fatty nodules you can see and feel under a dogs skil that are usually benign.

Can you believe that there are even behavioral side effects to being obese? If your dog is overweight (whether a senior or not) chances are your dog sleeps excessively, is anti-social, and generally lethargic.