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“Dear Dr. Ginny,
My dog “Ellie” is a 6-year-old female dachshund. She seems healthy but she is extremely overweight. I’m embarrassed to say this but her belly is almost dragging on the floor when she walks and I am getting worried. My husband loves to spoil her with table-scraps, and I think she is getting a lot of treats from our neighbors when she is out in the back yard. My husband and I are seniors with arthritis and we can’t get out to walk her as often as we’d like. Someone told me that physical therapy could help Ellie get back to a normal weight again. Is this true? I thought physical therapy was only for sick dogs.”
-Marie Hinton, San Diego, CA
Dear Marie,
Being overweight is a serious health issue for dogs. Obesity is harmful for a dog’s heart, respiratory system, liver and kidneys. It causes stress to joints, tendons, ligaments and bones and can lead to pancreatitis, diabetes, liver disease, high blood pressure, cancer and other potentially fatal conditions. Extra weight can also make dachshunds more prone to developing Inter-Vertebral Disc Disease. Along with a controlled diet, physical therapy is a terrific way to get your dog back into shape. It can help your pet shed pounds, improve cardio strength and gain flexibility. Physical therapists will exercise your dog using special equipment such as a water treadmill or sliding ramps. Moreover, physical therapy will help your dog get into condition safely, without harming her heart, joints and ligaments, which are already stressed due to the excess weight. Physical therapists also know how to prevent an overweight dog from overheating or developing breathing difficulties while exercising. I would recommend that you put Ellie into a physical therapy program, and let a veterinarian prescribe a new diet plan--one that is low in calories and has a fat content below 11 percent of her overall diet. Checking your pet’s thyroid function is also important because dachshunds are prone to hypo-thyroidism. The dachshund is a breed that easily gains weight, so once Ellie is back to her optimal weight, you should continue with a physical therapy maintenance program or perhaps hire a local youth to walk your dog for you. And be sure to tell your neighbors to stop feeding your dog treats because it puts Ellie’s health at risk. I’m sure they’ll understand because it sounds as if they love her as much as you do.
