SALEM VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Services >
      • Bathing & Boarding
      • Preventative Medicine
      • Comprehensive Physical Exams
      • Laboratory & Diagnostic Services
      • Dentistry
      • Online Pharmacy
      • Soft-Tissue Surgery
      • Cold Laser Therapy
    • Hospital Tour
    • Meet Our Team
    • Employment >
      • Online Application
  • Pet Parent Portal
    • Online Forms
    • Trusted Websites
    • Our Favorite Pets
    • Payment Options
  • Contact
  • Emergencies
  • Monthly Newsletter

​Monthly newsletter

January 04th, 2022

1/4/2022

0 Comments

 
Posts by: 
Jason Carr, Former Pet Health Network Editor-in-Chief

Some people might look at an overweight pet and say, “oh, how cute.” While it’s true that any pet can be cute, pet obesity is nothing to be fawned over. It’s not healthy and will ultimately lower a pet’s life expectancy. Here are 5 reasons why pet obesity is a big concern. If you think your pet might be overweight, talk with your veterinarian.
1. Pet obesity exacerbates arthritis
Dr. Ernie Ward writes, "The number one medical condition associated with excess weight is osteoarthritis (OA). Both large and small breeds of dogs are typically affected, but cats are developing crippling arthritis at alarming rates. If your pet is carrying as little as one or two extra pounds, remember those pounds are stressing tiny joints not designed to carry extra weight. Making matters worse, fat cells produce harmful chemicals known as adipocytokines that damage even non-weight bearing joints. There is no cure for arthritis; we can only minimize the pain." Learn more about arthritis and pets here >>>
Picture
2. Obese pets have less fun
Dogs love to exercise; it’s in their nature. They weren’t bred to ride the couch. It only takes a little research on the history of breeds to notice that most have hunted and worked with humans for thousands of years. “Dogs are born to work for a living,” says the ASPCA website. “Most are bred for a particular purpose like hunting, herding livestock, or providing protection.”  Knowing this, do you think a dog that has a hard time getting around would be happy? Would you? Check out these fun exercises to do with your dog >>>
Picture
3. Obesity can increase the risk of diabetes
According to Dr. Ruth MacPete, "Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease influenced by both inherited and environmental factors... However, of all the risk factors, obesity is the most important, especially since the prevalence of obesity is increasing." Learn more about diabetes here >>>
Picture
4. Pet obesity is increasing
Matt Henry writes that according to recent statistics, compiled in the 2013 Banfield State of Pet Health Report, "Pet obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. Drawing on a sizable sample group of 2 million dogs and nearly half a million cats... 37% more dogs and 90% more cats are obese this year compared to five years ago. Read more statistics about the pet-obesity epidemic here >>>
Picture
5. Obesity can increase the risk of high blood pressure
According to Dr. Ernie Ward, "Sometimes we forget our pets get many of the same diseases we do. Hypertension is one of these commonly overlooked conditions in pets. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because you can’t tell if your pet has it, nor can you see the damage it’s causing -- until it's too late."  Learn more about heart disease in dogs and cats >>>
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Office Hours

Monday:  8AM – 6PM
Tuesday:  8AM – 6PM
Wednesday:  8AM – 8PM
Thursday:  8AM – 6PM
Friday:  8AM – 5PM
Saturday:  8AM - 12PM
Sunday:  CLOSED

Picture
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
LOCATION
AND DIRECTIONS

Salem Veterinary Hospital
2159 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 105B
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
CONNECT
​WITH US!

Phone (757) 427-2222
Fax (757) 467-5699
Request Appointment
Take Our Survey
Refer a Friend
See your pet on
Petly – As your pet's personal health page, Petly is a special
place for you and your pet. You're just one click away! – GO
TO PETLY
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories
Photos used under Creative Commons from antonè, D H Wright, jason.murugesu, wuestenigel, liveoncelivewild
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Services >
      • Bathing & Boarding
      • Preventative Medicine
      • Comprehensive Physical Exams
      • Laboratory & Diagnostic Services
      • Dentistry
      • Online Pharmacy
      • Soft-Tissue Surgery
      • Cold Laser Therapy
    • Hospital Tour
    • Meet Our Team
    • Employment >
      • Online Application
  • Pet Parent Portal
    • Online Forms
    • Trusted Websites
    • Our Favorite Pets
    • Payment Options
  • Contact
  • Emergencies
  • Monthly Newsletter