by Joan Hustace Walker
(Reprinted with permission from the Popular Dogs Series magazine,
Shetland Sheepdogs
An overweight dog that eats a
diet high in fat is subject to a host of health problems
Says Linda P.
Case, M.S., companion-animal nutritionist at the University of Illinois
in Urbana, Illinois. “The added workload to the heart of an obese dog
can cause additional strain on the heart, “says Case. Congestive heart
failure is more prevalent in obese dogs than in their leaner
counterparts. But the problems go much farther than potential heart
disease. The excess weight that an obese dog is forced to carry around
can also cause exercise intolerance, not to mention heat intolerance,
which can be even more critical in a coated breed such as a Sheltie.
“The quality of life of an obese dog is compromised,” says Case.
Studies indicate that an obese dog may be
at a higher surgical risk,
too
Adds Case. “There's a lot
more tissue in the obese dog and fatty
tissue is highly vascular, so there can be more bleeding in surgery,”
she says, adding that obese dogs are a higher anesthesia risk and
experience a higher rate of death following surgery.
If you still haven’t heard enough reasons
Not to let your Sheltie keep
its extra insulation, here are some more. Obese dogs are more likely to
develop diabetes. Obesity at an early age (12 months) appears to be a
significant risk factor for the development of mammary tumors as the
dog ages. Obesity at any stage of life increases a dog’s chances of
developing bladder cancer.
Even a short period of obesity can
be harmful
A recent study suggests
that already in the early stages of obesity, excess weight causes
detrimental changes to the function and structure of the kidneys. Obese
dogs reportedly are more likely to suffer from skin problems and may
suffer from weakened immune systems. Orthopedic disorders can include
herniated intervertebral disks and ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments.
Arthritis, which is not uncommon in aging Shelties, is exacerbated with
every excess pound. If the Sheltie suffers from any musculoskeletal
problems, the extra weight may cause the dog to suffer more pain than a
lighter dog.
Are you convinced now?
Although we are a culture
that often reaches to food to show nurturing
and love, overfeeding your Shetland Sheepdog could literally be
“killing it with kindness.”
