Q: Activities for Dogs in Cold Weather?

Dr. Schaeberle,

I haven’t been walking my dog or playing with her outside since it’s been cold out and she seems to be bored. Do you have any suggestions for activities I can do with her inside?

Mary

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Hi Mary,

Dogs do need daily physical exercise and mental stimulation regardless of the weather. Most dogs are still happy to walk or play outside when it’s cold, so I encourage you to bundle up and go for a daily walk. If their physical and mental needs are not met, some dogs will seem as if they’re bored or depressed and just lie around or sleep a lot. Others will find their own activities to keep themselves entertained, which may be activities their humans do not want them to do. Providing appropriate daily activities for your dogs in the house is a great way to meet their needs and possibly even prevent unwanted behaviors.

There are many interactive toys for dogs (and cats) available today, most of which involve hiding dog food or treats in them for the dog to remove. Some are made to contain dry kibble and dogs must push or roll them around for the kibble to fall out one or two pieces at a time. These are not only great to use for snack time, but many people feed their dog’s meals in this type of toy instead of a bowl. This makes mealtime a ten to twenty minute activity which is good for mental stimulation and a little physical activity. Other toys are meant to contain a treat that can be licked out. Some examples of food that can be used in such toys include peanut butter (not too much), chicken, turkey or beef baby food, unsweetened applesauce, cooked mashed carrots, cooked mashed yams, or canned pumpkin (Yes, many dogs enjoy unsweetened pumpkin). You could also mix any of these soft foods with dry kibble and pack the mixture into the toy. Freezing a packed toy will lengthen the time it takes your dog to finish the treat. There are also puzzle toys in which to hide treats that are meant for use with human supervision, such as those made by Nina Ottosson. Other popular interactive toys are made by Premier Pet Products and The Kong Company.

Another option is to join a fun Nose Work class with your dog. Nose Work is a fairly new dog sport which was introduced to the East Coast in 2010 and was designed purely for dogs to have fun finding things with their noses. All breeds and mixes of all ages, and even reactive dogs can join a Nose Work class. Another great aspect of Nose Work is that all activities learned in classes are easily re-created at home. Classes are currently being offered at the Shiloh Veterinary Hospital York location. For more information please see our website.

Thanks,
Thomas Schaeberle, VMD

Question: Hepatic Lipidosis?

Dr. Schaeberle,

I have a cat that is overweight, at my last visit the veterinarian mentioned Hepatic lipidosis could develop. Should I be concerned?

Beth

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Hi Beth,
Cats are sometimes prone to a serious illness called fatty liver disease or hepatic lipidosis. Overweight cats are at higher risk. Typically, stress or illness causes the cat to stop eating. When the cat stops eating, the body is tricked into thinking it is starving and fat starts to mobilize from the body, accumulating within the liver. This, in turn, affects liver function.

Most cats with fatty liver disease have experienced a recent, rapid weight loss, their skin and mucous membranes appear yellow or jaundiced, and they may be dehydrated, have nausea or vomiting and appear quiet or depressed.

Definitive diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis is by ultrasound of the liver or by liver biopsy, however, the disease is often suspected based on history, blood tests and clinical signs.

It is very important that cats with fatty liver disease start to receive enough calories to maintain their daily energy requirements. Force feeding may be attempted if the cat is not vomiting. If vomiting is present, medications are often used to control nausea, and many patients benefit from having a feeding tube placed. The feeding tube is usually placed either via the nose, or via a brief surgical procedure to place the tube in the esophagus. The cat is then fed a slurry through the tube. The feeding tubes can stay in for several weeks, and many cats can be fed at home by their owners. Once the cat starts eating on his own, the tube is removed. Other treatments might include intravenous fluids, antibiotics and vitamin
supplements and liver support drugs like SAMe.

Hepatic lipidosis can be a very serious illness and in some cases, may even be fatal so prompt treatment is necessary. If you notice that your cat is not eating for several days, or if her skin or gums look yellow, please seek immediate veterinary attention.

Thanks,
Thomas Schaeberle, VMD

Question: Feline Weight loss tips

Dr. Schaeberle,

How can I help my cat lose weight?

Thanks,
Missy

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Hi Missy,

Last week we began a discussion on obesity in cats. In general, feline obesity is common, and can result in a shortened life expectancy.

1. Keep up the exercise. Cats can be encouraged to play throughout their lives. Examples of exercise for cats include, playing “Find the Food”, move the food bowl upstairs or downstairs and rotate it so that the cat always has to walk to get to its food bowl. Look for cat “puzzle” toys where you can hide their entire meal inside so that they must play to release kibble to eat! Utilize feather toys, flashlights, laser pens, paper bags or balls, anything that your cat finds interesting to chase. Try to engage your cat for ten minutes twice a day.

2. Cats are true carnivores and need a higher level of protein in their diet. Dry food tends to have more carbohydrates than wet food. So feeding predominately a wet food diet which has more protein, may have an advantage (so long as you control the portion sizes).

3. Watch the calories. A typical 8 pound cat really only needs about 150 to 170 calories per day or one six oz can per day. Feed small meals frequently. Divide the total volume or calories into four to six smaller meals.

4. There are diet foods made for cats. There are now many types of “prescription” diet foods available that surpass the typical “light” formula that you may find in the pet store. At our practice, we primarily use two foods made by Hill’s Science Diet. R/D is low-calorie, high fiber food. M/D is a very high protein diet, but must be fed in fairly small portions. This food can increase your cats metabolism & the high protein levels can help a cat to feel more satisfied, despite the smaller portions.

5. Rechecks and weigh-ins. After you have put your cat on a weight loss program, it is critical that you determine if it is working for your cat. Each cat is different and may require many changes in diet or routine. In general, your cat should be weighed every month until the ideal weight is achieved. Typically your cat should lose about one pound per month. Work closely and actively with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet safely achieves his or her weight loss goals.

Thanks,
Thomas Schaeberle, V.M.D.

Question: Feline Obesity

Dr. Schaeberle,

My cat currently weighs in at 21 lbs, the same size as my small dog! What can I do? I can see that my cat’s weight is starting to effect his overall happiness.

Thanks,
Missy

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Dear Missy,

A few weeks ago I answered a question on obesity in dogs. Today I would like to discuss the growing problem of obesity in cats.

Is a feline obesity problem?

Yes! Obesity is defined as an excess of body weight of 30% or more and is the most common nutritional disease in cats today. It is estimated that about 40% of all adult cats are obese, and there are many more that are simply overweight. Obesity in cats is a known risk factor for type II diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and some forms of cancer. In general, diabetes is probably the most common disease we see in obese cats. Another health concern is a disease called hepatic lipidosis. This is a severe form of liver failure in cats. Hepatic lipidosis typically occurs in cats that are obese and have undergone a brief period of stress and anorexia.

There are many factors that contribute to obesity in cats. A cat’s family genetics can lead to obesity, while other factors are related to diet and environment. It is important for the cat owner and veterinarian to keep these factors in mind when treating feline obesity. Indoor cats are more prone to obesity perhaps because they tend to eat out of boredom. Also indoor cats have less opportunity to stay trim through exercise. An indoors cat’s exercise routine can include play with puzzle toys, feathers, laser pens and hunting games with mice.

Next week I’ll share more tips on cat weight loss and tools to conquer cat obesity.

Thanks,
Thomas Schaeberle, V.M.D.

Question: My dog is becoming overweight! Pt. 2

Dr. Schaeberle,

Over the past few months I have noticed my dog has gained quite a few pounds. What can I do to help him lose weight?

Thanks,
Paul

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Dear Paul,

In last week’s article we discussed obesity in dogs, suggesting that just as with people, the leading causes of obesity include genetics and diet. A common disease that can also result in obesity is called hypothyroidism.

The thyroid gland is one the most important glands in the body. The thyroid gland, located in the neck near the windpipe, regulates the body’s metabolic rate. If the thyroid is underactive, the metabolism slows down which may lead to weight gain. The
cause of hypothyroidism for the most part is not known. Certainly genetics play a major part in diseases as we see certain breeds like retrievers diagnosed with hypothyroidism far more frequently than other breeds.

When the metabolic rate does slow down, virtually every organ in the body is affected. Some of the symptoms that we in see hypothyroid cases include weight gain without an increase in appetite, lethargy, cold intolerance, flaking dry skin and dull hair with excessive shedding that leads to very thin to nearly bald areas in the fur.

Testing for hypothyroidism can include a simple blood test called a T4. A more indepth thyroid profile can be sent to a laboratory at Michigan State University. This profile is more likely to give a definitive diagnosis, and can include a comment from an endocrinologist, which can assist your veterinarian in treatment recommendations.

The treatment for hypothyroid disease is fairly simple and utilizes a replacement hormone in the form of a tablet. The medication comes in a chewable form and is administered twice daily. Most owners will notice changes in their pet’s condition within a month of starting treatment.

Thomas Schaeberle, VMD

Question: My dog is becoming overweight!

Dr. Schaeberle,

Over the past few months I have noticed my dog has gained quite a few pounds. What can I do to help him lose weight?

Thanks,
Paul

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Dear Paul,

Unfortunately, dogs and cats have experienced an increase in obesity in the United States recently. Today I will focus on dogs, next week hypothyroidism and in a few weeks cat obesity.

Our dog population in general is larger today versus 30 years ago. Popular breeds such as laborador and golden retrievers are also more prone to diseases like hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland causes weight gain, and quite simply are more laid-back and using less calories than earlier generations of these breeds.

So what do you do if your dog is overweight?

First, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to begin a conversation about your pet’s weight gain. Your veterinarian may perform bloodwork to rule out any potential disease that could cause changes in your pet’s weight.

Your veterinarian may recommend the following:

1. First trying to simply cut back on treats. Place the dog on a “light” food and increase exercise. Did you know that one large milk bone has about 270 calories! Substitute a rawhide strip, or something as simple as a Stauffer’s Animal Cracker which is about 14 to 16 calories per cracker. You can also see if your dog likes vegetables such as carrots, celery, or green beans and use them as treats instead.

2. Utilize a high fiber diet under the discretion of a veterinarian. In our clinic we prescribe Hill’s Prescription R/D which has about 40% less calories and seems to satisfy most dogs. Our plan includes a biweekly weigh-in and if there is no weight loss we will cut back on the quantity of food offered.

3. A good option for the truly obese dog, or for a dog who is having great difficulty losing weight, is a drug by Pfizer called Slentrol. We have had incredible success with most dogs losing 5% or more of their body weight per month with little to no side effects.

Thomas Schaeberle, VMD