Tommy had put on too much weight

24/05/2008 by Arielle.

Tommy came in today for his routine vaccinations. He is such a lovely dog and appeared healthy but was a bit too fat. I ended the vaccinations (injection and Kennel Cough sprayed in his nose) by weighing him. The scales revealed that he had put on 4 kgs in only about 4 months.

I was concerned as he is so healthy otherwise and gave his owner my usual advice about restricting the amount he eats, cutting out titbits and increasing his exercise.

She looked at me quietly and said that yes she knew all that and would try her best but her problem she suspected was her husband. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer and her suspicions were now clear. He had been feeding Tommy his food to avoid worrying his wife about not eating it himself. Tommy was obviously only too obliging.

This consultation left me thinking for a while as I felt very moved by the client and her ill husband and Tommy caught in the middle of it.

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