Photo credit Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition
I have a great respect for people lose a huge amount of weight in a quest to get healthy. Unfortunately, significant weight loss can leave uncomfortable and unattractive hanging skin in areas where the most fat was lost. Some people elect to get surgery to remove the lose skin.
The incidence of obesity in dogs has been growing. In the US, over 44% of dogs are now estimated to be overweight or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
That means there is room for many fidos out there to lose weight. As with humans, a major weight loss can result in lose hanging skin. For the first time ever, the same “tummy tuck” procedure to remove the excess skin on humans has been performed on a dog.
Obie is a standard Dachshund that grew to 77 lbs when his owners, an elderly couple with dementia, mistakenly overfed him. He was surrendered to a rescue and adopted by a veterinary-technician Mom and able to lose over 30 lbs with her help.
Because he lost so much weight he was left with the worst case of excess skin I have ever seen in a dog. This extra skin was uncomfortable and made it hard for him to move around normally. His Mom said the extra skin also put him at risk for injury and infection.
A bunch of generous people rallied around Obie and donated enough money for a veterinarian to give him the tummy tuck surgery.
Photo courtesy Biggest Loser, Doxie Addition
Throughout his recovery, his Mom Nora kept his fans updated. Obie recovered quickly from the surgery and when the swelling went down he didn’t even look like the same dog.
Obie Before Surgery
Photo courtesy Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition
Obie after surgery
Photo courtesy Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition
Over two pounds of skin was removed so post surgery he is within 5 lbs of his goal weight.
We say congratulations Obie and Nora! You both have worked hard.
This post is part of the Fit Dog Friday Blog Hop brought to you by SlimDoggy, Peggy’s Pet Place and To Dog With Love. I encourage you to click on the thumbnails below to learn more about keeping your dog fit, healthy and at the proper weight. You can also join the community of proactive pet owners and healthy pets by writing your own blog post and linking it to the hop.
Hailey and Zaphod's Lady says
Wow, that is great! Hope the pup has a long life! Lee and Phod
Jessica Rhae says
Luckily they haven’t discovered any negative, lasting effects of the weight yet…which is amazing!
GizmoGeodog says
This is just amazing…That photo showing all his loose skin…I’ve never seen anything like that before…Obie and his mom have done such a super job and he’s looking great right now…I know they’ll meet their goal weight soon Thanks for sharing
Jessica Rhae says
I have NEVER seen that kind of lose skin on a dog either. He was twice what his weight should have been though! It’s amazing to me that he survived like that.
SlimDoggy says
Thanks for sharing this post. We’ve been following Obie’s story since it first came to light last fall. He’s a tough little guy who has shown a lot of fortitude to get through this and to thrive as he appears to be doing.Having to diet is such a difficult thing for humans – who understand the purpose, but for a pup to all of a sudden have to give up all his tasty treats, it must be really hard. That’s why good diet and nutrition should ALWAYS be enforced for your pets. Thanks for joining our Hop!
Jessica Rhae says
I am not sure if it is worse or better to be a dog that needs to lose weight. On one hand they don’t understand why they are being left hungry (although mine are ALWAYS hungry so they wouldn’t notice “being hungry more”). On the other hand, self-control is pretty much removed from the equation. The owner is determining what the dog can and can’t eat. I wish there was someone to do that for me! I would be way more successful at weight loss. Ha, ha.
Jan K says
Good point, Jessica, I think I’m with you on that one! 🙂
cyndiann says
They don’t have to be left hungry at all. What they need is a low carb diet which means no kibble. Kibble causes the weight gain and if you switch to a diet with no carbs the weight comes off without having to starve the dog. This way the problem is solved humanely. Diet kibble is the worst food of all and I don’t know how they can get away with selling something so wrong.
Roxy the traveling dog says
Wow, that is quite the difference in Obie. I am glad they could do the surgery for him, he must feel tons better.
Jessica Rhae says
Since it had never been done before I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the conversation with the vet. I wonder if they had to try a few vets to find one that would do it?
Maggie says
That’s amazing… He looks so cute now. He’s must feel so much better. Wonderful story.
Maggie
Jessica Rhae says
I have been following the story from the beginning and, while not without controversy, it had done a lot to raise awareness about obese pets. Nora and Obie not travel to grade schools and vet technician schools to teach people about the issue.
SUGAR: Golden Woofs says
Woof! Woof! PAWsome! We’ve read about Obie’s journey to weight lost. For a Doxie it must be hard and have to be extra careful due to their size. Golden Thanks for sharing. Happy FitDog Friday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
BTW: TT is Tasty Tuesday. Mom is looking forward on chatting with you at BP. Golden Woofs!
Jessica Rhae says
Most Doxies are food mongers and always act like they are starving. It takes a lot of will power on the owners part to control what they eat.
I saw your other message…TT makes sense now 🙂 See you next week!
Jackie Bouchard says
I’ve been following Obie’s progress in Facebook pics I see folks posting. Great job! He looks great post-tummy tuck!
Jessica Rhae says
I am hoping his scaring isn’t too bad but he is such a good looking dog it would just give him character anyway 🙂 It also might spark a conversation about the issue of pet obesity!
Jackie Bouchard says
True – it would start a good discussion. But I bet once his hair grows back it won’t be too noticeable. Our last pup had to have her leg/shoulder amputated (bone cancer) and she had a HUGE incision that I thought would always be visible, but it wasn’t noticeable at all once her hair grew back.
emma says
We saw this online…how can a dog be allowed to get to that size! At least it is turning out to be a happy ending!
Jessica Rhae says
His former owners were elderly and had dementia. They didn’t realize that they needed to stop feeding him (likely that they didn’t remember just giving him something) and maybe couldn’t formulate the logic needed to realize he was so overweight.
That being said, why did it take a family member so long to step in and do something about it? Perhaps they had tried several times and the owners weren’t ready or willing to give them up. It’s always hard removing someone’s pets from their home to protect them.
I just resign myself to the fact that I won’t understand it but am glad he got help!
Dachshund Nola and Her Mom says
That really is incredible. I applaud his mom!
Amanda
Paws and Pedals (Kate & Scooter) says
A tummy tuck for a dog……now that is a sign of the times. You are definitely raising awareness on the subject of Pet Obesity by following & publishing stories like Obie’s. Research has shown that if you keep your pet within the ideal weight range it can add as much as two years to their lifespan. There’s even a special day in the UK now called ‘Weigh in Wednesday’ cause people are starting to realize its a problem for pets there as well. Keep up the great work…..
Jodi, Koly & Fe says
Holy woof! That is a lot of weight loss. He looks pretty good though. It’s amazing what they can do.
Jan K says
I had heard some of this story and really thought it was amazing they could do that surgery on a dog. (never mind amazing for him to lose all that weight). That’s the first time I saw the photos of the excess skin, and now the after photo too. Such a great story!!
dina says
That is a shocking story but I am glad that he got the surgery. I didn’t know it is possible for dogs.
Ann Paws says
Wow – that’s absolutely amazing! I can’t believe he started at 77 lbs… that just floors me!
Jules says
Awww this makes my heart hurt!! So glad he got the surgery he needed after all that weight loss.
xoxo,
Jules of Canines & Couture
http://www.caninesandcouture.com
Jodi says
I think this is awesome and it’s not just for vanity, it’s for the dog’s health. I’m glad they can do such things!!
Anne L. says
Now that Obie can be active and play, he’s lost another two pounds and the scar is hardly visible. Tough little bugger indeed. Clearly this surgery saved this pup’s life and will keep him moving and healthy for a long time to come. Great post!
Jacksonville Tummies says
Oh my gosh. I’ve never seen a dog get a tummy tuck! Just humans!