Meet Patch: At 60-plus pounds of pooch, this dieting dog has a lot to lose

Meet Patch: At 60-plus pounds of pooch, this dieting dog has a lot to lose

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:14 AM on 13th January 2009

A dog so obese he is unable to walk is being placed on an extreme low-fat diet by vets.

Patch weighed 28kg (62lb) when he was brought in to the Dogs Trust's Glasgow centre - twice his normal weight and roughly equivalent to an eight-year-old child.

Because his legs cannot support his body weight, he has to be placed in a special harness and carried around.


Patch is so obese his legs can't support his body. He requires a special harness to walk and is at risk of numerous health problems if he doesn't lose weight

Now the centre's staff are trying to get the six-year-old Beagle Cross into shape.

Over the next few months the aim is to slim him down to a more manageable 15kg (33lb).

Victoria Kelly, from the centre, said: 'Patch was handed in to the centre just before Christmas after his owner passed away.

'We get a lot of over-fed dogs in the centre, but nothing to the extent of Patch.

'As soon as he came in we knew something needed to be done.'

Patch's obesity leaves him at grave risk of developing heart failure, diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis or arthritis.

But equally, he risks organ failure if he loses weight too quickly.


Dogs Trust employee Catriona Burt fits Patch with his special harness that reduces pressure on his legs and allows him to be taken for short walks

Staff are therefore placing him on a gradual exercise programme, consisting of short daily walks in his harness and hydrotherapy sessions.

Ms Kelly said: 'Dogs that have been overfed can exercise to reduce their weight.

'What's happened with Patch is that his weight has prevented him exercising.

'The harness supports his body so the weight isn't entirely on his legs. We take him on very short walks throughout the day.

'Since he's been with us he's actually lost a kilogram (2.2lb) in weight already, so he's on the right path.'

Now the centre is looking for a home for Patch, promising to meet the cost of any further medical treatment.

Ms Kelly said: 'We're looking for a home to work quite closely with us, but also somebody who can avoid falling for the charms of his big brown eyes, pleading for treats.

'He's a lovely dog and he'll fit right into a home.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1113506/Meet-Patch-At-60-plus-pounds-pooch-dieting-dog-lot-lose.html