Canine

• Canine Parvovirus

• Immunization of Dogs

• Is Your Dog Overweight?

• Puppy Health

Feline

• Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS)

• FeLV and FIV Infection

• Immunization of Cats

• Kitten Health

New Pets

• Crate Training

• Deworming Your Pet

• Solving Chewing & Digging Problems

• SPAY/NEUTER FACTS

• Which Pet Food Is Best For My Pet?

Arizona Considerations

• Fleas and Ticks

• Heartworm in Arizona?

• Kennel Cough

• Rattlesnakes

• The Menaces of Summer

• Valley Fever

• Valley Fever Treatment

Common to Cats and Dogs

• Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

• Senior Pet Care

• Skin Problems

• The Normal Heart and Heart Disease

• Acute Moist Dermatitis

• Blood Testing

• Cosequin and Rimadyl

• Dental Care

• Diabetes Mellitus

• Epilepsy

• Hyperthyroidism

• Hypothyroidism

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Juvenile Bone Disease

• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca( KCS)

• Kidney Disease

• Lameness

Miscellanous

• Pet Tips for the Holidays

• The Veterinary Profession

• Traveling With Your Pet

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Overweight dogs usually have more physical ailments and a shorter live span than those of normal weight. Check the amount of tissue over your dog' ribs:

• Your dog is normal if the ribs are easily felt.
• Your dog is overweight if the ribs are difficult to feel.
• Your dog is dangerously obese if the ribs cannot be felt at all. Be aware that disease conditions that cause the fluid accumulation can look like obesity.

Ask your veterinarian to verify you assessment.

Obesity can have a profound effect on reducing life span. In addition, the following problems have been associated with obesity:

• Joint and locomotion problems. It has been reported that 24% of overt obese dogs have serious joint problems.
• Respiratory difficulties.
• Cardiovascular problems.
• Decreased liver function as a result of a fatty liver. Potential reproductive problems.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Heat intolerance due to excessive subcutaneous fat.
• Increased surgical and anesthetic risk.
• Possible lower resistance to infectious diseases especially viral diseases.
• Impaired gastrointestinal function- including increases constipation and flatulence.
• Increased levels of cholesterol in the blood. Increase risk of cancer development.

A weight reduction program should be instituted for all dogs and cats that are more than 20-25% above their optimal weight. This will: 1) decrease health problems, 2) decrease future health care costs, 3) improve appearance and 4) increase a pet's enjoyment and length of life.

Product	Wt/grams	Cal
Dry Dog Treats
Stew Biscuit (Alpo)
Small	9	30
Large	32	113
Milk-Bone (Nabisco)
Small	6	19
Medium	10	33
Large	32	108
Ex-Large	66	227
Meaty Bone (Star-Kist)
Small	8	31
Medium	18	62
Large	29	98
Bonz (Ralston-Purina)
Small/Medium	20	67
Large	28	91
Alpo Snaps, Liver	3	11
Soft-Moist Dog Treats
Snausages (Ken'l Ration)	6	16
Alpo Bites	5	13
Jerky Type Dog Treats
Jerky Treats Strips	2	6
Alpo Jerky Strips	6	34
Alpo Jerky Bits	2	8

* Metabolizable energy in kilocalories. Source: Alpo Pet Center, 1989