In 2007, he was diagnosed with a luxating patella (shallow knee joint) in both legs. This is a common problem in small breeds especially when they have been overbred. The best form of treatment for this disorder is pain medicine when needed, glucosamine vitamins, and weight management. Most dogs with luxating patellas end up with early onset arthritis and will many times need surgery to permanently correct the problem.
Bart weighs in at about 50 pounds when he should be 35. He will be 5 years old in September. We've noticed him limping quite a bit over the past few days and have been giving him more of his pain meds than usual. He will usually go a month without needing one, sometimes more. I've given him meds 4 times in the past week.
He was so bad today that watching him walk made me cry. I had never seen him limp like this. Chris and I love him so much. He is our child. Everyone who meets him loves him immediately - he is so friendly and content to be pet and cuddled all the time. We all feed him people food out of love - when you see that cute little face looking up at you, you just can't say no to him.
Many people that I talk about weight loss with say that you have to start changing eating habits when you are young. We get sad when we see really overweight childern and say, "Why don't the parents just say, "No?'" It's not as easy as it sounds. I am just now making the connection between my fat dog and overweight human children.
From today on, as a household and anyone who enters our house, there will be no more extra food for the dog. He will get 1.5 cups of kibble a day and that will be all. No more last bites, no more pizza crusts, no more cat treat plates, no more cheese, no more eggs, no more licking the plates. It will be very difficult for him and for us but I can't stand to see him in so much pain, especially if I can do something about it.
P.S. - That is not an actual picture of Bart. Just a fat dog picture from the internet that I feel Bart resembles.
P.P.S - If I don't stop eating too, I will be the human equivalent of that dog and not fit into any of my clothes. I will lose weight for my puppy.
1 comment:
Oh .....I feel really bad....but you are right...if you really LOVE him you got to say no sometimes and if you really LOVE yourself we need to do the same ....although I did just eat a cookie...but I am going to count the calories....work it work it..and just say NO to bad choices..
Love you when .... Im just a girl who cant say no .........
Paula Lula Angel :0)
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