5 minute read
A Healthy Boost
Healthy Weight Clinic boosts quality of life for pets, education for students.
Story by Audrey Hambright
In the news, TV anchors are frequently reporting on the obesity epidemic in the United States affecting people of all ages, but how often do we think about the same issues affecting pets?
Elsa was hardly able to move when Denise Krueger brought her in to the Veterinary Health Center emergency room. She was struggling to walk or even stand. It was during this visit that the clinician recommended the Healthy Weight Clinic (HWC) for Elsa as she was severely overweight.
Elsa is not alone. According to the 2022 U.S. State of Pet Obesity Report, 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the U.S. were classified as overweight or have obesity.
Denise enrolled Elsa in the HWC in September of 2022. She came to the clinic every three to four weeks to get checked and weighed. Within a few months of starting the program, Denise noticed significant changes.
“Elsa began losing weight, moving around easier and even playing,” she says.
By the end of Elsa’s year in the program in October 2023, she had gone from 54 to 26 pounds. Denise says Elsa is able to move and play and is like a puppy again at the age of 9.
“This has been a great experience for us and Elsa,” she says. “The support we received and the encouragement were terrific.”
A booming need
The Healthy Weight Clinic was developed for patients just like Elsa. Initiated in 2018 through a partnership between Hill’s Pet Nutrition and K-State, it began as a mutual effort to expand the primary care department and integrate nutrition science more comprehensively into the educational curriculum. This collaboration subsequently gave rise to the Healthy Weight Clinic, which has now been in operation for five years.
“We aim to help pets achieve and maintain a healthy weight through personalized nutrition plans and lifestyle adjustments,” says Dr. Amanda Nascimento, clinical nutrition intern in the Hill’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center. “This not only improves their overall health, but also enhances their quality of life.
Additionally, we strive to educate pet owners about the significance of proper nutrition and the impact it has on their pets’ health.”
Ultimately, the clinic’s goal is to combat obesity in pets, ensuring they live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Since the beginning of the program, there have been 88 success patients — 75 of those dogs, 13 of those cats.
Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor in the Hill’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center, says the area of pet nutrition has been growing exponentially over the years.
“A boarded veterinary nutritionist can help others navigate this ever-evolving field and aid in the development of individual diets for those pets with special needs,” she says. “They can also help to dispel some of the myths out there regarding commercial pet foods and/or raw diets.”
Clinical nutrition intern offers specialized services for clients
Fortunately, this program allows the VHC to recruit a dedicated clinical nutrition intern. The internship lasts 12 months.
“Most of the success of the program is due to the intern’s dedication to their patients and the program,” Dr. Nelson says. “Our interns also play a significant role in the education of our students on the importance of nutrition and on how to have these discussions with our clients. They teach them a lot when it comes to clinical nutrition basics and help to build their confidence in the area of pet nutrition and obesity management.”
The current intern, Dr. Nascimento, has found her passion in clinical nutrition and using her expertise to positively impact animal health. During her academic journey, Dr. Nascimento discovered the crucial role that nutrients and supplements play in supporting the immune system against infections and inflammation.
“My career path took an interesting turn when I became the head of Integrative Veterinary Medicine and a researcher in Canada’s private sector,” she says. “This role allowed me to explore natural pet products and holistic diets, nurturing my love for nutrition.”
The support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition and their board-certified nutrition experts has been critical to the success of this program.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for pets
Once pet owners take the first steps to helping their pet reach a healthy goal weight, the key is to continue those practices to maintain the newfound energy.
“We hope they take away that they can get and keep their pet at a healthy weight with a little bit of coaching from the experts and dedication to their pet’s success, and that they get to feel that exhilaration and pride when their pet finally reaches their ideal weight!” Dr. Nelson says.
