It has been well documented that canine obesity significantly contributes to many medical conditions in dogs. Including bone and joint disorders, cardiac problems, endocrine related disease as well as respiratory problems. Recently, researchers are examining obesity as a medical condition all its own. This is due to a new view of the fat cell and fat storage tissue itself. For years fat tissue has been thought of as a storage site for energy. Recent research has shown that certain fat tissue, white adipose tissue, can act as a secretory organ. Which has the ability to release chemical mediators known as adipokines that influence metabolic and endocrine function and change the normal processes of the body. Veterinarians as well as human doctors are beginning to realize the significance of the full impact that excessive fat can have on the normal functioning of the body. Excess fat can negatively impact health in ways never before realized.

In veterinary medicine canine obesity is becoming a serious threat to pet health and is being treated with the same importance as other life threatening diseases. Excessive release of adipokines can have a variety of effects on the body, to include increasing the risk of infammation, decreasing the ability to fight of disease, and alter insulin production and energy metabolism. Some adipokines can actually cause the body to decrease its ability to mobilize fat and decrease the ability to lose weight. Obese animals are more likely to develop diabetes. Obese animals are also at a higher risk to develop, osteoarthritis OA. The increased stress on the joints leads to a faster breakdown of joint cartilage and subchondral bone leading to OA, but some researchers believe that the connection is even deeper than that. Obesity can have a direct effect on a dog's ability to breath and decreases lung function and lung expansion. Obese dogs have a tendency to develop collapsing trachea syndrome more readily. Collapsing trachea is associated with the loud inhalation spasm through the dogs nose, that many dog owners have heard. It is sometimes referred to as a reverse sneeze and can be triggered by collar pressure on the trachea. Obesity also increases the risk for heat stroke and dehydration. Obese dogs are also considered to be in a higher risk category if surgery is ever needed.

Obesity is a disease that needs to be treated. Diet and excercise are the main therapeutic recommendations for weight loss in obese dogs. Sometimes for various reasons diet and excercise are not enough. There is a new product on the market to assist you in bringing your dogs weight under control, it is called Slentrol. Discuss this product with you veterinarian and see if it is right for use in your dog.