Overweight pup gets second chance at life
Obese, unhealthy and mourning the loss of his owner, Vincent was surrendered to an animal shelter in Houston (Texas, USA) two weeks ago. His prospects didn't look good.
He weighed in at 18 kilograms, double the healthy weight for a 7-year-old dachshund. He had high cholesterol and his back dipped from the extra weight, putting him at risk of nerve damage.
An obese Vincent
Vincent's case is extreme, but obesity affects a lot of pets. In 2014, more than half of U.S. dogs were overweight or obese.
Luckily for Vincent, dachshund rescuer Melissa Anderson volunteered to take him in. Now Anderson is slowly bringing Vincent back to health.
A healthy dachshand
The first week wasn't easy for either Vincent or his foster parent. When Anderson took him home, Vincent got sick, both vomiting and upset bowels, when he ate the healthy dog foods she gave him. Anderson could tell he was despondent. She said,
"I am not sure what the previous owner fed him, but I think it was all fast food.”
Fast food is off the menu for Vincent
But after just two weeks, Vincent is well on his way to a healthier lifestyle. He now eats a special dog food; Anderson offers him green beans or carrots as "treats" but he hasn't really gone for those yet.
He's on a pretty rigorous exercise regime, participating in water aerobics five times a week and playing with her others dogs in the garden. The water aerobics help take pressure off Vincent's strained joints. Plus, with the hot weather in Texas, it offers a nice cool-down for both Vincent and Anderson.
A dog enjoying water aerobics
At first, Vincent would just float in his life jacket. But his endurance is growing. Vincent can now paddle in the pool for about 15-20 minutes, five days a week. Before, he could only waddle around the yard with the other dogs. Now he is able to jog.
Fat Vincent is on his way to become Skinny Vinnie. He was 18kg and two weeks later weighs in at 16kg. His weight loss will be a slow process but with the help of his new foster mum, he is on his way to his new life.
(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)
