Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Extra weight in dogs can cause joint problems, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance, among other obesity-related ailments.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
San Diego veterinarian Jessica Vogelsang adopted Koa, a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever, in March. At 85 pounds (39 kilograms), Koa was too heavy to be healthy.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Since March, Koa has dropped seven pounds (3 kg). She's shown here at 79 pounds (36 kg) with a body condition score of seven out of nine (vets use the scale to determine the proper weight for a dog's frame). Four or five out of nine are ideal scores. Koa has been on a company-sponsored trial of Nulo dog food for six weeks, during which she lost three pounds (1.3 kg). "It's not a super-fast, dramatic weight loss," Vogelsang said. "But that's okay, we're heading in the right direction."
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
A normal-weight Labrador retriever at veterinarian Ernie Ward's practice in Calabash, N.C.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Judy, a 5-year-old Border Collie mix owned by Jessica Bush of Birmingham, Ala., gets weighed. At 43.7 pounds (20 kg), Judy needs to lose 5 pounds (2.2 kg).
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Like Koa, Judy is participating in the Nulo trials. The company donates the dog food, but does not otherwise pay the pet owners. Bush says she likes the company's holistic approach. "I have this dream that one day there's going to be a vet that's going to be the Dr. Weil of veterinary medicine," she said, referring to the medical doctor known for blending Eastern and Western medicine.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Jessica Vogelsang, the veterinarian from San Diego, thinks veterinarians are becoming more aware of nutrition. "Just in talking to students who are graduating more recently, they are becoming increasingly savvy," she said.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Titan, a puggle adopted by Molly Antos of Arlington Heights, Ill., slimmed down after this photo was taken. But seven years of being sedentary and eating junk food in his former home took its toll. Titan had to be put down in early September.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Titan after losing 18 pounds (8 kg).
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Fort Worth, Texas resident Maribeth Ashley looks on as trainer Cindy Hauss measures her dog Jennie's girth. Ashley and her pets are embarking on a joint weight-loss venture.
Heavy Hounds: A Gallery of Portly Pooches
Pickles, who needs to lose 30 pounds (13 kg) get measured. Jennie needs to lose 20 pounds (9 kg), and Ashley hopes to drop 100 pounds (45 kg).
