Much like the human population more than half of pets in North America are medically considered to be overweight or obese. Similarly, obesity in pets is now the most important disease process pet owners must face. The effects of obesity are far reaching because it contributes to many other diseases and shortens dogs’ lives.
Obesity dramatically increases the risk of diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and many types of cancer. The most recent scientific data reveals that moderate excess weight alone actually shortens a dog’s life expectancy by as much as two years.
If you suspect that your pooch is overweight, the very first thing you should do is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Carrying extra weight can be a sign of an underlying health issue, and can also be a contributing factor to many health issues in dogs.
Being overweight and obese set the stage for increased risk of joint damage and subsequent osteoarthritis (OA), leading to chronic pain. At least 20% of all dogs, regardless of age, show evidence of OA. The risk of OA goes up with age as well as with increasing bone structure size, so the older and bigger the dog, the more likely it is to suffer from the inflammation and pain of OA. Unfortunately, dogs that are overweight or obese traumatize their joints over a very long period before we can see clinical evidence of the damage. It takes years of joint damage for changes from OA to show up on an X-ray.
Until recently, veterinarians thought that the increased pain and inflammation associated with OA in overweight and obese dogs was primarily due to the increased wear and tear on the joints. What we now know is that fat tissue is biologically active and secretes hormones and other chemicals that both cause and enhance inflammation.
A hormone called leptin is produced by fat cells and causes inflammation when it infiltrates joints. In addition, leptin may influence the bone changes associated with OA. Finally, inflammation can affect the body’s responses to other hormones such as cortisol and insulin, further unbalancing the body’s attempts at self-regulation and influencing the amount and extent of pain dogs experience. The important underlying message is that fat itself contributes to inflammation, inflammation is a part of the pain associated with OA and degenerative joint disease, and being overweight or obese contributes to this vicious cycle.
While it may seem unnecessary, annual or twice-yearly wellness exams with your primary care veterinarian can help to keep your dog healthier throughout their lifetime.
Your vet will be able to examine your pup regularly for early signs of illness (before conditions become serious) and monitor your pet’s weight and overall health.
If your pooch is following a weight loss plan, visit your vet for follow-up appointments so that your dog’s progress can be monitored and dietary adjustments can be made if they are needed.
