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    • Rescue Stories
    • 05 Oct, 2017

    Obese Dog Looking for Love after Losing Over 10kg

    A young overweight dog, who was so obese that he could hardly walk, has shed over 10kg and is now looking for the pawfect home.

    The Black Labrador pup, named Tootsie, was first brought in to Mayhew after his previous owner could no longer look after him. The one-year-old weighed a staggering 45kg when he first arrived, nearly double the weight that he should have been.

    Mayhew’s Animal Welfare Officer, Paul Grimes, said: “We discovered that Tootsie’s previous owner had been feeding him human food on top of his normal meals and he hadn’t been receiving the right exercise that he needed. Tootsie quickly piled on the pounds and ended up putting unnecessary pressure on his joints, so much so that he could hardly walk properly.”

    “Unfortunately some people don’t fully consider the responsibilities and needs of the pet and soon realise they are unable to look after them in the long term. At Mayhew we are dedicated to helping people in crisis situations. We do not judge and we are here to assist and advice on the best course of action for the animal, no matter what the problem is.”

    Tootsie when he was first brought in to Mayhew

    “We urge people to think responsibly about where they get their pets from and consider adopting a rescue dog from a reputable shelter instead.”

    Tootsie was immediately seen by our Vet Team, who gave him a thorough health check.

    Mayhew’s Vet, Emily Richardson, said: “When Tootsie first arrived he was very overweight. He weighed a staggering 45kg, when his ideal weight should have approximately been 28kg.”

    “After a thorough check up, it became evident that he had patella luxation of his right stifle, which occurs when the kneecap does not sit in the correct position within the knee joint. This can be a highly painful condition causing lameness. The risk of getting this condition is greatly increased by excess body weight since this puts added pressure on joints.”

    Tootsie during one of his hydrotherapy sessions

    “After 12 sessions of hydrotherapy, kindly donated by Village Vet, near Highgate in London, and a well-balanced diet, he lost an incredible 10kg. We were then able to refer Tootsie to have surgery on his knee at Mill Lane Veterinary Surgery, who kindly donated their time and services. A tibial tuberosity transposition was performed to realign the tendon that holds the patella in its correct position. After the surgery, Tootsie was started on a course of physiotherapy and a further six hydrotherapy sessions to help with his rehabilitation.”

    “Tootsie is now walking well with no lameness or pain and his weight is currently at 30kg.”

    Paul Grimes added: “When getting a new pet you should always consider whether you will be able to look after them correctly, and will be able to provide them with the Five Welfare Needs. The need for a suitable environment, the need for a suitable diet, the need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, the need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals and the need to be protected from pain, injury, disease and suffering.”

    Tootsie after losing weight

    After receiving the hydrotherapy sessions from Village Vet, medical attention and love from our Vet Team and care and support from our Kennels staff, Tootsie was soon back on his paws.

    If you are interested in adopting Tootsie, please visit here or call 020 8962 8009.

    Every year our Animal Welfare Officers and Community Vet Clinic respond to hundreds of animals in need. Please consider a donation to help them help even more animals. 

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