Veterinary Medicine - September 2007 - (Page S7)

FIGHTING A GROWING TREND Laflamme: What do you do when the overweight pet has an overweight owner? Do you address that situation differently? Prendergast: That can be a touchy subject. One of our veterinarians is slightly overweight, and she has a great approach. She says, “You know, I am not one to talk about my weight, and I can’t always control what goes in my mouth, but I can control what goes in my pet’s mouth.” Buzhardt: Sometimes I start with humor and try to establish a rapport, but then you have to address the seriousness of the situation. The problem is within owners’ control. The dog does not open the refrigerator door. The owner controls what the pet consumes and has the ability to help the pet lead a healthier life. Churchill: I’m a big believer in assessing the client’s readiness for change. Through questioning, we can glean a lot about what the pet eats, about the owner’s lifestyle, and their bond with their pet. I tell them I am partnering with them and offer them a number of strategies they can pick from. I also give clients permission to fail. We know we might slip or stumble, but that’s okay because it takes many small steps to achieve success. Laflamme: Do you start with a discussion about nutritional management or helping the client understand their pet is overweight? Prendergast: During a pet’s annual exam, we say, “I see Fluffy has gained 5 lbs this year, so let’s look at her BCS. Where do you think Fluffy is on our chart?” That opens the door to discussing obesity. Buzhardt: Clients have to admit that there is a problem, and a picture is worth a thousand words. The obesity chart comes in handy for us and clearly illustrates the comparison between pets of acceptable body condition and those that are overweight. Laflamme: So you use an illustrated BCS chart and teach them how to score their pet? Buzhardt: Yes. We have a laminated copy in the exam room. We show them the dog’s actual BCS and compare it to what they think the dog’s score is. Then we show them how to score the dog so they can track progress at home. We take their hands and say, “Feel these ribs.” We put the dog on the floor and say, “Do you see a waistline?” We will raise the table and ask, “Do you see a tummy tuck?” Once they admit there is a problem, then we start talking about the solution. We are looking for lifetime commitment to the dog’s health. Dr. Rebecca Remillard “If you restrict intake of a maintenance diet based on calories, the first nutrient deficiency is protein they may weigh less on the scale, but the wrong tissue (i.e., muscle mass) is being lost.” Remillard: It helps them understand that fat between the ribs and fingers can translate into excess fat around the heart, liver, or kidneys. Buzhardt: We take the animal’s picture at its healthy weight to print on the clients’ invoices so they have a constant reminder of what that animal should look like. Prendergast: We also track the pet’s weight in our veterinary software and print a graph at the bottom of their invoice. Laflamme: Once we’ve made it clear that the patient is overweight, what is the next step? Prendergast: Our first questions are: What do you feed? How much do you feed? Do you have a specific cup that you use? Most of the responses are, “Yes, two cups a day.” Well, is it exactly two cups or is it two oversized coffee mugs? We explain what a “cup” really is and how important it is to measure the food. Buzhardt: We go one step further: We give them a cup and tell them to use that cup exclusively to feed their pet. We also tell them to feed based on their dog’s healthy weight, not its current weight. We emphasize that. We give them a sheet with 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - September 2007

Contents Letters Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. William J. Kay Idea Exchange Practical Matters Salivary Mucoceles in Cates: A Retropspective Study of Seven Cases Hyperlipidemia in Dogs and Cats Purina Insert The Latest Management Recommendations for Cats and Dogs with Nonketotic Diabetes Mellitus CE Form Product Preview Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - September 2007

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