As a responsible pet owner, it’s crucial to prioritize our furry friend’s health and well-being. One of the ways to achieve that is by ensuring our dogs maintain a healthy weight.
2018 data from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) revealed that nearly 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight. Yet, many pet owners overlook canine obesity. It’s a condition that causes multiple health problems, including osteoarthritis.
In this blog, we’ll explore four common ways overweight dogs can injure themselves, so you can take steps to prevent such incidents from happening to your beloved pet.
How Do Overweight Dogs Get Injured?
If your dog packs extra pounds, they may be more prone to injury. Here are the most common reasons overweight canines injure themselves.
Osteoarthritis
Overweight dogs are more likely to experience joint damage and osteoarthritis. The older and bigger a canine gets, the more likely it’ll suffer from inflammation and pain linked to arthritis.
According to recent research, active fat tissue is a major cause of these symptoms. This is because it produces hormones and other chemicals that cause and increase inflammation.
As fat cells settle in your dog’s body, they generate a hormone called leptin that inflames joints and alters the bone structure and its functions. Inflammation reduces the body’s responses to cortisol, insulin, and other hormones, ultimately preventing self-regulation and increasing your pet’s pain.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Tears
Cruciate ligaments are two bands of fibrous tissue in your canine’s knees. These parts and other ligaments connect the femur and tibia (the bones above and below the knee), ensuring the knee functions as a hinged joint.
Your dog’s cruciate ligaments include the cranial cruciate ligament. It joins the back of the femur to the front of the tibia. Furthermore, the CCL limits the tibia’s excessive forward motion and internal rotation while keeping the knee from overextending.
CCL tears in dogs can occur over several months or years. Most ruptures become complete tears over time, and injuries to healthy or deteriorating ligaments cause them. If your canine ruptures its CCL, it may experience unstable joints, significant pain, and lameness.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia occurs when a dog’s ball and socket joints in the pelvis don’t fit or develop properly, thus causing them to rub and grind against each other. It’s a hereditary condition typically affecting the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Labrador Retriever, and other large breeds.
Canines at an unsuitable weight, especially overweight dogs, can be diagnosed with hip dysplasia. The pressure of a canine’s extra weight can intensify or cause this condition.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
When the cushion of cartilage in a dog’s intervertebral disc ages and extends, it compresses the spinal cord, spinal nerve, and nerve root, or all three.
When the intervertebral disc pushes against the spinal cord, the latter gradually weakens and loses neurons (nerve cells). It starts slow and limits the nervous system’s functions over time. Sometimes, a protruding intervertebral disc can cause swelling, deterioration, and neuron loss. This condition progresses immediately, emerging as a serious condition.
IVDD affects breeds with improperly developed cartilage that makes them look short and plump, including Dachshunds, beagles, and Shih Tzus. Additionally, overweight canines are at greater risk for IVDD.
What are the Other Conditions Linked to Canine Obesity?
Overweight dogs also experience the following health issues.
- Diabetes – Some canines suffer from diabetes mellitus or “sugar diabetes.” It can limit the amount of insulin that a dog’s body produces or prevent the body from using the hormone.
- High blood pressure – This condition is divided into two types. Secondary hypertension stems from underlying diseases, while primary hypertension occurs without cause.
- Skin problems – Bacteria in an overweight canine’s extra folds irritate and infect their skin, causing scratching, body odor, and redness.
- Respiratory diseases – A collapsed trachea and laryngeal paralysis may also develop in overweight dogs. Overlooking these conditions causes serious respiratory problems.
- Decreased quality of life – Your pet gaining more pounds can lead to a significantly lower life expectancy and quality of life.
How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Overweight?
The American Kennel Club recommends two tests to determine if your dog is in its ideal weight range or overweight.
The Rib Test
Stand behind your canine, then gently run your hands along one side of their rib cage. Check for visible ribs and ensure a visible waist or tucked-up area in front of your pet’s hind legs.
If you can’t easily see or feel their ribs or a tucked-up waist, your canine needs to shed those extra pounds.
The Standing Test
Lean down and look at your pet sideways. From this position, see if their abdomen or stomach droops.
Next, stand up and ensure your canine’s hips form an hourglass shape. The chest should reach out, and you should see a narrow waist.
Reduce Your Pet’s Risk for Injuries & Other Health Issues
Chubby canines look adorable. However, extra pounds cause multiple health problems. Learning these risks helps your pet avoid or combat obesity, making them active and healthy in the long run.
For more helpful tips and resources on canine health, visit the TPLOInfo blog today.
