Before she knew it, Scout was a porker. But pets like Ike and Scout have a friend in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Julie Churchill, associate clinical specialist in the small animal department, heads the clinic's Nutritional Support Service. That's one reason they started the service in March, designed to provide assistance to pets with special nutritional needs. Most often, those needs are based on weight problems, Churchill said.
Obesity is the number one nutritional disease in pets and can result in serious health problems.
Portly pets may look cute, but their condition can lead to serious health problems. Dental afflictions, cardiovascular complications, joint diseases and diabetes are some of the ailments threatening overweight pets, Churchill said. A major part of the problem, Churchill said, is the increase in pet owners with busy lifestyles. The animals simply don't get walked or played with enough, she said. This lifestyle is common for University students and could put their pets at risk.