Welcome to Summer at SVH!
By Dr. Dana Cox
Spring 2011
All of us at SmithVeterinaryHospital hope you and your pet are enjoying a safe and fun-filled summer! We encourage you to visit "What's New at SVH", including current (new) vaccination recommendations.
IT'S TIME TO GET FIT!
Did you know that almost half of all dogs and cats are overweight or obese?!
Did you know that adipose tissue (aka fat) is the largest endocrine organ in the body, with unlimited growth potential at any stage of life?
Did you know that excess body fat can contribute to serious health problems for your pet?
Adipose tissue secretes a group of proteins called adipokines which increase susceptibility to conditions such as:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Respiratory disease
High blood pressure
Some cancers
Arthritis
Reduced immune function
Greater anesthetic risk
Skin disorders
Hepatic lipidosis
Risk factors for obesity in dogs and cats include Genetics; Gender/neuter status; Increasing age; Reduced acitivity; Feeding highly palatable/high fat foods, free choice feeding and excessive treats.
Is your pet overweight? Don't worry, we can help. Come speak with one of our Doctors about a reduced calorie prescription diet that will, in addition to exercise, help your pet to achieve a healthy weight for a healthy life.
This summer, visit our hospital with your pet, and if your pet is overweight, we will offer you incentives for weight loss including your pet's 'before and after' photo proudly displayed, and a free bag or cans of an appropriate prescription weight loss diet!
Dr. Dana Cox
For a timely article on Summer Safety Tips for Pet Owners I suggest:
http://www.akc.org/public_education/summer_safety.cfm
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