title: Incorporation of exercise, using an underwater treadmill, and active client education into a weight management program for obese dogs.
abstract: Physical activity improves outcome of weight loss in obese humans, but limited information exists for dogs. Eight obese dogs (body condition score 5/5), of various breeds and genders, undertook a 3-month weight-loss program which included exercise using lead walks and underwater treadmill exercise. The median number of treadmill exercise sessions per dog was 13 (range: 5 to 17). Median distance walked per session was 0.97 km (range: 0.05 to 2.7 km) (0.6 miles; range: 0.03 to 1.70 miles) and this increased sequentially over the course of the study (P < 0.001). Mean [± standard deviation (s)] percentage of starting weight loss over the 3 mo was 18.9 ± 5.44%, equivalent to a rate of weight loss of 1.5 ± 0.43% per week. Thoracic and abdominal girth also declined significantly during the program (P < 0.0001 for both). This study demonstrates the potential benefit of including an organized exercise regimen, utilizing an underwater treadmill, in conventional canine weight management programs.
authors: Veterinary Neuro Services, 3900 Clark Road, Building M, Unit 4, Sarasota, Florida, USA.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Chauvet
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Laclair
authors: Denise A
authors: DA
authors: Elliott
authors: Alexander J
authors: AJ
authors: German
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss