Symptoms of Dog Obesity: Recognizing the Warning Signs

Hyperadrenocorticism, commonly known as Cushing's disease, occurs when a dog's adrenal glands secrete an excessive amount of cortisol. This condition doesn't typically lead to weight gain, but rather redistributes fat to the abdomen, giving the appearance of a potbelly, which can mistakenly suggest an increase in weight. If you suspect your dog is overweight or notice symptoms of difficulty breathing, it's crucial to consult your veterinarian promptly. Before embarking on a weight loss plan, have your pet undergo a thorough examination by your vet to rule out any underlying issues.

DeepDive into Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will determine the cause of your dog's obesity before initiating treatment. They may recommend the following diagnostic tests:

1. A comprehensive physical examination, including precise weight measurement and an assessment of overall health.

2. An evaluation of your dog's daily food intake, treats, table scraps, and exercise routine.

3. Routine blood tests, including a complete blood count, serum, and urine analysis. If these tests come back normal, obesity may be due to excessive calorie intake and insufficient exercise. However, if abnormalities are detected, further testing is necessary for a more accurate diagnosis.

Additional diagnostic tests may include:

1. Blood and urine glucose (blood sugar) level testing. Diabetes can be diagnosed through high blood sugar levels and positive glucose results in urine.

2. Urinary cortisol to creatinine ratio testing. A higher ratio suggests the possibility of hyperadrenocorticism.

3. ACTH stimulation test. This test is often used to better diagnose hyperadrenocorticism.

4. Lowdose dexamethasone suppression test. This test is often combined with the "urinary cortisol to creatinine ratio" and "ACTH stimulation test" for a clearer diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism.

Deep Dive into Treatment

Treatment recommendations depend on the underlying cause of obesity. It's best to have your dog undergo a complete examination by your vet to rule out any serious diseases before starting a weight loss plan.

For obesity caused by excessive calorie intake, here are the specific recommendations:

1. Reduce your pet's daily calorie intake by 50% to achieve an ideal weight.

2. Switch to weight loss pet food, which should contain fewer than 340 calories per 100 grams of dry matter, 5%10% fat, 10%30% crude fiber, and over 25% crude protein.

3. Feed your pet several times a day with specified amounts of food.

4. Reduce the frequency of food rewards, or opt for lowcalorie treats designed for weight loss, or offer cooked or raw vegetables.

5. Increase exercise activities.

6. Encourage your pet to swim. Swimming is an excellent way to burn calories.

7. Visit your vet monthly to check weight and adjust food intake as needed.

For obesity caused by diabetes, here are the specific recommendations:

1. In the treatment of diabetes, dietary therapy is essential to control blood sugar levels. Foods should contain a moderate level of fiber (5%10%) and a low level of readily available carbohydrates.

2. Insulin therapy should be adopted.

3. In some diabetes cases, as the dog loses weight, the clinical symptoms of diabetes may also disappear, and insulin treatment may no longer be necessary.

For obesity caused by hyperadrenocorticism, here are the specific recommendations:

1. Treat with "mitotane tablets" and recommend a followup ACTH test every 34 months.

It's important to note that in most cases, the weight loss plan doesn't necessarily have to aim for the ideal weight; reducing weight to near the standard is sufficient.