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Introduction

Weight Clinics

We all know that 'an overweight pet' is 'an unhealthy pet', but sadly 1-in-3 dogs and 1-in-4 cats seen by vets nationally are overweight. Being overweight increases a dog's likelihood of developing:- arthritis, diabetes, fatty tumours, and cardiovascular disease. Overweight cats are predisposed to:- diabetes, reoccuring bladder problems (FLUTD), hair mats, and arthritis. Being overweight decreases your pet's enjoyment of life and shortens his or her life expectancy.

To assist you in dieting your pet to his or her correct weight, and then keeping them there, the practice runs Weight Clinics throughout the week. These clinics are run by Vicky Murphy VN (Head Nurse), and Kyley Aikenhead (Senior Nurse), and are free of charge. The initial consultation is usually half an hour long and sets out to design a diet and exercise regime tailored to you and your pet. At this first appointment, you will also be given a weight loss pack, with lots of advice on getting your pet to the correct weight. Vicky or Kyley will then invite you to bring your pet to the practice for a weigh-in every 2-3 weeks, to track his or her progress. When your pet's ideal weight is reached, you will receive a certificate and be invited to exhibit photos of your pet's success below.

Miss Savage and Tabatha receiving a certificate from Gemma Horne.

	'Ozzy' Bridger-Rye From 4.45 kg to 3.0 kg Losing 48% of her Lean Body Mass Ozzy is much more active now that she has lost so a huge amount of weight - in fact, she was so busy jumping around and exploring, that she didn't want to sit still for the 'after' photograph! Her owner is delighted with Ozzy's new-found vitality.

	'Floyd' Walker From 21.4 kg to 17.4 kg Losing 23% of his Lean Body Mass Floyd is now much more active, no longer happy to just walk - he wants to run! Showing that his arthritis has improved.

	'Tabatha' Savage From 6.45 kg to 4.40 kg Losing 47% of her Lean Body Mass

	'Cassie' Hart (12 years) From 43.6 to 35.3 kg Losing 24% of her lean body mass to combat increasing arthritis - it worked!

	'Benji' Harris (10 years) From 8.7 to 5.15 kg Losing 69% of lean body mass After a fall this summer, Benji was left partially paralysed in his hind limbs. His condition gradually improved, but surgeons at the Royal Veterinary College were particularly keen that he lose weight, to aid recovery from the spinal trauma.

	'Beech' Brayshaw (10 years) From 33.0 to 26.5 kg Losing 25% of lean body mass Beech had slowed down with increasing arthritis. Losing 6.5kg has greatly improved his arthritis and he is now much more active and appears much younger than his ten years of age. (Unfortunately, we do not have a photograph of Beech at his largest, so here he is showing off his new svelt figure in both photographs).

	Mungo Coppin (7 years) From 6.66 to 5.37 kg Losing 24% of lean body mass

	Abbey Marnoch (6 years) From 28.25 to 24.0 kg Losing 18% of lean body mass

	Mandy Hann (2 years) From 5.45 to 4.65 kg Losing 17% of lean body mass

	'Molly' From 16.0 to 13.9 kg Losing 15% of lean body mass

	Sadie and Dusty Tennant Sadie (Labrador) and Dusty (Springer Spaniel) were given up for rehoming by their owner. Sadly, due to their weight, nobody considered them appealing, and a new home was hard to find. Emma O'Connor, who was looking after both dogs at Leacroft Kennels, decided to put them on a diet and with a little help from the practice, was soon able to liberate the 'slim' dogs within. The story has a very happy ending; despite having their pictures here, Sadie and Dusty actually lost their weight nearly three years ago now. They were lucky enough to meet Mr and Mrs Tennant, who adopted them both, and continued their diet, changing them from dogs that nobody wanted, into dogs that everybody now wants. The new slimline Sadie and Dusty are now so active that neither wanted to sit still for the 'after' photographs! Sadie and Dusty have a wonderful home, and have remained slim.