Dr Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS
This was a few weeks ago, and it got me reflecting on some of my more difficult consultations. As a young veterinarian I was very direct when informing clients if their beloved companions were obese. This approach was ineffective as the clients didn’t follow my well-meaning advice. In fact, many of these clients became very angry, did not return to the surgery, and I lost the opportunity to care for their animals.
I learned to change my approach. For example, I no longer raised the subject of weight control when a new adult patient was presented, unless linked to the reason for the visit. That discussion would come at subsequent visits. I would then explain that it was very common for pets to gain extra pounds, and that sometimes mine did too. But carrying excess weight had health implications, and we were here to help with free nurse led weight watchers for pets The weighing scales were relocated to reception and clients were encouraged to come to use these between annual checkups. And our patients were weighed at every visit, with this logged in their notes. We all learned to be more tactful, but not ignore the issues. Clients can feel insulted when told their pets are overweight.
Explaining to clients about the importance of weight management across lifetime was a key element to our free nurse led puppy and kitten clinics. We encouraged weekly weigh ins, plotting growth against bespoke growth charts until they were 18 weeks old. These check ups were invaluable in allowing us to also assess behaviour and to check that our patients were current with preventive measures. The check ups helped build good relationships with our clients and our patients.
I recall several patients that were gaining weight when dieting! Interesting discussions with clients followed as we tried to determine the reason. Was there a neighbour secretly feeding the pet; or an adult with dementia; could they be taking food from other pets, or from the bird table; were they getting into a bin; could children be throwing food into the garden?
To my astonishment a client, after much discussion, then asked if it could be anything to do with the ice cream!! Every day when the ice cream van called, she and her collie both had an ice cream!
Another client, also after much questioning, innocently asked if his Old English Sheepdog’s weight gain could possibly be linked to him getting a Fray Bentos pie at bedtime!
A cavalier spaniel continued to gain weight despite being on a diet. When he was hospitalised for a week, he lost weight at the expected rate. It transpired that at home he had also been fed sausages and cheese.
Many clients overfeed their animals as an act of misguided love. As with people, being overweight risks poor health and can shorten their lives. Body scoring diagrams for pets are helpful, as is keeping a good record of our pets’ weights.
