new data suggestS that Pet Obesity is on the rise

Calabash, NC – July 10, 2008.  A new nationwide study indicates that pet obesity continues to expand. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), almost half of the nation’s dogs and cats are now overweight or obese.  The group conducted the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day study in October 2007 and found 43% of all dogs and 53% of all cats were classified as overweight or obese by a veterinary healthcare provider; 10% of all dogs and 19% of all cats were classified as obese.

“The startling fact was the number of obese cats,” comments the study’s lead investigator and founder of APOP, Dr. Ernie Ward.  “We knew from a pilot study completed in early 2007 that obese cats were the fastest growing segment.  It is alarming that almost one-in-five US cats is now clinically obese.  This means we will continue to see an increase in cases of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other weight-related diseases.”

The study also looked into pet owners’ assessment of their dog’s or cat’s weight. “We found that the majority of pet owners understand that their pet is too heavy,” notes Dr. Ward.  In fact, 63% of dog owners with overweight or obese canines classified their dog correctly and 73% of cat owners with flabby felines stated that their cat was overweight or obese.  “As we questioned pet owners further, we discovered that many of them had never been told that their dog or cat needed to shed a few pounds.  I believe that in order to win the war on obesity it must begin with bilateral communication: pet owners need to ask if their pet is too heavy and veterinarians need to tell owners when a pet is overweight.”

According to APOP estimates, this study indicates that as many as 32 million dogs and 46 million cats in the US are overweight or obese.  Almost 8 million dogs and 17 million cats are thought to be obese.

“Carrying a little extra weight isn’t a stable condition that’s simply annoying or unsightly.  Fat is biologically active tissue and an excess amount negatively impacts almost every body system,” states Dr. Ward.  “We’re in real danger of raising an entire generation of pets that will live a shorter life expectancy than the dogs and cats we enjoyed as children.”

The nationwide study was conducted in 98 small animal veterinary clinics and included 704 dogs and 282 cats.

About APOP and Dr. Ward

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is an independent organization not associated with any veterinary pharmaceutical, pet food, or other veterinary industry organization.  Dr. Ernie Ward is a licensed veterinarian, certified personal trainer, and USA Triathlon accredited coach.  He and APOP help people and pets lose weight and sustain a healthy lifestyle by creating parallel weight loss and lifestyle programs.

Contact

Dr. Ernie Ward
910-579-5550
DrWard@PetObesityPrevention.com
www.PetObesityPrevention.com

China. It’s not as far away from the US as the sixteen-hour flight from Atlanta suggests. I found the people to be warm and courteous, interested and open-minded and eager to learn from their western counterpart. Perhaps most importantly, I discovered that the special bond between pets and people knows no geographical or cultural boundaries.

I arrived in Shanghai after over twenty-one hours of travel. I took the Magnetic Train, the world’s fastest train, from the airport at Pudong to Shanghai. It was an amazing experience to travel on a cushion of air at over 260-miles per hour. The sensation of heeling (leaning over) at that speed was something I’ve never encountered in all my years of ocean boating.

Because my flight from the US was delayed (imagine that!), I arrived with only thirty minutes to spare before my first meeting with the president of the Shanghai Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Chen. After a quick shower and shave and change of clothes, I was escorted by a colleague from the Netherlands I’d met while presenting at a veterinary meeting in Austria last year, Karin Jaeger. She was there to record and observe my visit and learn about small animal veterinary practice in mainland China We were accompanied by my translator and fellow veterinarian, Dr. Zilong Tan. Dr. Tan worked for Schering-Plough/Intervet who was co-sponsoring my trip. He proved to be a truly compassionate and intelligent human being with a deep love of veterinary medicine. We quickly became friends and will remain in touch for many years to come.

We zigzagged through crowded downtown Shanghai until we arrived at Dr. Chen’s veterinary practice. The first thing I noticed was his warm smile and confident handshake. I sensed that this was a man in charge of his destiny and passionate about his work before a single word was exchanged. He spoke very little English; however, we were able to communicate easily and naturally because of our shared short-hand of veterinary medicine and surgery.

Dr. Chen gave me a tour of his practice. Humble by the standards of a practice in the United States, it was one of the more respected practices in Shanghai. I saw many dogs and cats being capably cared for by team members who exuded passion for their work. There were many cases of parvoviral enteritis, distemper and a variety of trauma cases. I was able to offer advice on treatment modalities and was honored to be asked for my diagnosis on several cases as we travelled throughout China.

Of particular note was the lack of interest or belief in in traditional Chinese medicine displayed by both veterinarians and human physicians. I have a keen interest in alternative therapies, especially herbal and nutritional supplementation and meditation. I found that most Chinese veterinarians could not fathom why in the world I would want to understand their old ways. I had intended to participate in a pre-dawn Tai Chi in one of Shanghai’s public parks. I was told by one of my younger colleagues that there weren’t many places that held Tai Chi and that the practice was mainly for “old, retired people.” I guess we’ve romanticized China in many ways and I hope that these ancient ways aren’t lost as modernization and progress bulldoze the countryside. I believe, as Dr. Tan does, that the interest in traditional Chinese medicine will return and what remains will be the best of both eastern and western medicine. I shared with Zilong that this was my current approach and I was relieved to hear that he felt the same.

After spending approximately two hours meeting with Dr. Chen and discussing the challenges of veterinary practice in Shanghai, we were off to dinner. As a vegetarian, I reveled in the outstanding choices of tofu, noodle, vegetable and rice dishes offered everywhere I ate.  One of my more memorable experiences occurred at a small restaurant where I met two young ladies in their mid-twenties dining with their Maltese. One of the young ladies spoke in excellent English. Since she spoke English so well, I asked her if she had studied abroad. To my surprise, she answered that she’d never left mainland China. She was completely self-taught though CD’s and books! She added that English was a good skill to have and helped in her job. We talked about her dog and how people felt toward dogs and cats in her country. Her answers reaffirmed the experiences I’ve had travelling and speaking about veterinary medicine around the world: It’s not where we are; it’s who we are. In other words, people are hard-wired to bond in special ways with dogs, cats and horses. The love I have for my dogs and cats is the same as the love people in India, Japan, Germany, Brazil and downtown Shanghai have for their pet family members. The young lady further explained that she thought the younger Chinese had much more value for dogs and cats than the previous two or three generations. I witnessed this firsthand as the majority of clients I saw in the veterinary clinics were my age (41) and younger. She also said that with the one-child-per-family policy, older parents were starting to get dogs and cats after their child grew up and left home. It seems as though the “empty-nest syndrome” also knows no boundaries!

The next morning I set off for the Ministry of Science Building for my eight hours of lectures. The meeting had to be moved to the “old” building because of the larger-than-expected attendance. In total, we had over 130 veterinarians travel from as far away as 500 miles to learn about improving their level of general veterinary practice. It was an incredible day. I was humbled by the eagerness and hunger for knowledge the veterinarians exhibited. We had so many questions at the end of eight hours that the moderator finally had to stop them so we could attend the reception! The questions were nearly identical to American and European audiences: What is your recommended vaccination protocol? What anesthetic agents do you use and why? How do you get clients to provide better care for their pets? How do you motivate your staff? How do you train your staff? I was surprised at just how similar veterinarians are regardless of their country, level of expertise or equipment.

The dinner reception was another experience entirely. I had my picture taken with approximately every single veterinarian in attendance! I felt like a rock-star; it was surreal. I was blessed to have connected with the attendees in a meaningful manner. One of the more humorous things happened at that meeting. After I arrived, I began to go around the room to visit the twelve or so tables with about ten doctors each. I would approach the table with a “Ni hao” (hello) and proceed to thank them in poor Chinese. As I talked to the first table, one of the doctors thrust a glass of beer in my hand and exclaimed some sort of toast. Fair enough, I thought, and I took a drink from the glass. I smiled and noticed that everyone had finished their glass of beer – except me. I was met with the awkward stare of ten veterinarians whom I’d just inadvertently offended.  The leader of the table quickly refilled everyone’s glass except mien and repeated the toast. This time I caught on and drained my glass. I was panicked! I had at least eleven more tables to go and I’m not much of a drinker!  Zilong sensed my anxiety and rushed to my salvation. He gave me a small bottle of beer and even smaller glass and instructed me to fill my own glass with an ounce or two and use that to complete the toast. With Dr. Tan’s helpful advice, I was able to get through the entire night on two bottles of beer.  

My entire trip was a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience. I was deeply honored to be invited to share my message of veterinary medicine to such eager veterinarians. I hope to return soon and continue to develop the many relationships I began. Thank you to everyone who made these Hong Kong and Shanghai lectures a success.

Sorry for the delay in posting this…

This past weekend I had the privilege to lecture once again in beautiful Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. As I departed North Carolina, it was a sunny 66F and I did a quick eight-mile run before my flight. I was so caught up in the warm sunshine and post-run bliss that I forgot my (only) winter coat! That would prove to be a mistake as the temperatures dipped to -12F during my stay! Although the outside was cold, the good people of Minnesota warmed up the lecture halls with their good cheer and general positive feelings.  It was a great weekend - I gave two full days (9 am to 5 pm) of lectures and the attendees were simply spectacular. I take away more from meetings like this than I give. Thank you to all of the veterinary health-care staff and veterinarians for your enthusiasm and great questions and conversations. And the hotel treadmill meant no missed runs! Even better, I managed an hour on a (half-way) decent stationary bike one morning before my lectures! 

This past weekend I had the extreme pleasure to lecture at the annual Veterinary Surgical Associates and Veterinary Medical Specialist’s meeting in San Ramon, California. I was honored to present the keynote lecture and a full day of general medical presentations to almost 300 attendees. The organizer, Dr. Julie Smith, a board-certified surgeon, did a fantastic job putting together a truly exceptional experience for their attendees. This was world-class veterinary continuing education open to veterinarians and their staff members. Some of the top specialist in the country shared their expertise on a variety of medical and surgical topics. If you live in northern California, you are fortunate to have this collection of veterinary specialists.

It is remarkable how veterinary medicine has changed in the sixteen years since I graduated. As I chatted with the co-founder of VSA/VMS, Dr. Dwight Gaudet, we reminisced about how the services we each provide had been elevated in the past couple of decades. From chemotherapy to hip replacement, from laser surgery to laparoscopy, today’s pets have access to almost the same level of medicine and surgery humans have. What a different world than the one I grew up in southwest Georgia! It is true that pets have transitioned from the backyard to the bedroom and now to our beds. I hope you understand now why I often sign off with the words, “It’s a great time to be a pet!”

This leads me to my next speaking engagement - CHINA! Theirs is really a society transitioning from the back roads to the bedroom at an alarming rate. I will be speaking to the Shanghai and Hong Kong Veterinary Medical Associations in early April about general veterinary practice in the United States. My goal is to assist them in attaining higher standards of care quickly. I have been impressed with their eagerness to learn from the West and open-mindedness to integrate both medical philosophies. I only hope that my colleagues in the Anglo-sphere will be as generous in accepting Eastern medical philosophy in the future. We can learn quite a bit from each other.  

Until next time…     

The home-mortgage crisis, stock market decline and rising gas prices have many of us worried about an economic recession. Whatever the outcome our current financial situation, most people are closely watching their expenses. Saving money on veterinary care is an important part of maintaining a healthy household budget and is easier than you may think. Follow these five simple steps to help keep your pet out of the veterinary clinic and more cash in your pocketbook.

 Tip #1 – Keep up with your pet’s annual examination

While at first this may seem like an unnecessary expenditure, a thorough physical examination by your veterinarian can save you money in the long run. Your vet can identify diseases and conditions before they cause serious illness and suffering. For most conditions the earlier it is diagnosed the better – and less expensive – the treatment will be. Don’t wait until your pet is sick to visit your vet. By the time most pets show clinical signs the condition may have become advanced and costly to correct. An annual physical exam for all pets age 1 to 6 and examination plus simple blood and urine tests for pets over age 7 are typically recommended.  In addition to identifying potential problems, your veterinarian can advise you on how to maintain and improve your pet’s health. A visit to the vet is certainly a good investment.

Tip #2 – Have your pet vaccinated with 3-year vaccines

In 2005 the USDA, the regulatory agency for dog and cat vaccines, approved the first 3-year distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis vaccine for dogs. The 3-year feline distemper vaccine followed in 2006. These vaccines not only help reduce the risk of vaccine-associated adverse events, they save you money.  There is currently one USDA-approved 3-year canine and feline “distemper” vaccine and several 3-year rabies vaccines.

Tip #3 – Keep your pet thin

A 2007 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (PetObesityPrevention.com) found that 45% of all US dogs and 54% of all cats were overweight or obese. That’s roughly 70 million dogs and cats at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, crippling arthritis, high blood pressure and many forms of cancer. Worse yet, all of these conditions are debilitating and expensive to treat. The great news is that it’s relatively simple to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Visit the pet obesity website and talk to your veterinarian to calculate your pet’s ideal weight and learn how many calories you should be feeding your pet per day. The next time you feel the urge to give your pet a treat, try substituting a walk, grabbing a favorite toy or simply petting them. Many times we misinterpret a cry for affection as a plea for food. If you want to give goodies, try healthy choices such as carrots, celery stalks, or ice cubes. Avoid breads and meats unless you’re cooking a meal for your pet. Keeping excess pounds off your pet will not only help them live longer, it will dramatically decrease your pet’s medical bills.

Tip #4 – Feed a premium pet food

Many of the most common reasons pets visit the vet involve vomiting and diarrhea. Nothing gets a pet owner to the vet faster than a night spent cleaning carpets and bedding. The majority of these cases involve improper or poor diet. Gastroenteritis, colitis and life-threatening pancreatitis almost all start with table foods or a poor-quality pet food. Sure, the healthiest pet foods cost a little more, but what you saved in a year by feeding the cheaper food can be erased with one visit to vet for a GI disorder. Hippocrates said it best, “Let food be your medicine.” Consult with your veterinary healthcare team to determine the best and safest diet for your pet. In the long run you’ll have a healthier pet that costs you less.

Tip #5 – Supplements for optimal health

Proper nutritional support is truly one of the most important elements of human and pet health. What we eat helps determine how we feel, how well our immune system functions and what diseases we may develop. Most pets and people benefit from adding the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to their diet. I recommend combining a fish oil source such as Welactin with a flaxseed source such as Missing Link. Other supplements that have been proven beneficial include glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate/avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) such as Dasuquin, and a potent antioxidant such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) contained in Oxstrin. I have had tremendous success over many years by using high-dose DHA/EPA combined with Dasuquin to treat patients suffering from arthritis prior to initiating sometimes costly prescription drug therapy. Talk with your veterinarian to find out what supplements you can give your pet to keep them healthier and save money on vet bills.

BONUS TIP – Get pet insurance

 Insurance is primarily for two things: the unexpected and the expensive.  Too often I see clients confronted with the dilemma of whether or not they can afford a specialist for a serious and unexpected medical condition. If only they had insurance! Many of the newer pet insurance companies offer complete coverage of all breeds and conditions. The key is to get insurance before your pet develops a medical condition. At that point, once a pet develops a pre-existing condition, you can’t get coverage for it. It’s a bit like wrecking your car and then trying to get accident insurance for it. Consider some of the new major medical coverage plans with low annual premiums and higher deductibles to help you out if your pet has a serious medical emergency.

Follow these simple tips to keep your pet loved one as healthy – and least costly – as possible. Remember, your veterinarian is there to help preserve health, not just treat illness. Consult your veterinarian before making any changes and you just may save some money in the process.   

Once again, for my sixth time , I was honored to present at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida. It was here in 2004 I received the “Speaker of the Year” award. This year I had an entire day - 8:00 am until 8:00 pm - of lectures, a luncheon and dinner presentations. Two of my sessions would be to veterinary students - always a favorite audience for me. My other sessions were an eclectic mix of business-management topics, leadership, medicine and fitness. A highlight was a lecture I gave detailing the impact exercise had on a doctor’s abilities. I reviewed the latest findings regarding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and aerobic exercise. The bottom line is our physical fitness and health directly impact our cognitive abilities, memory and creative thought. Numerous studies in humans conclude that regular aerobic exercise also helps decrease depression and stabilizes moods. If you’ve ever been to a “moody doctor, ” you may suggest that they get more aerobic exercise!  

The two student lectures were refreshing. The first lecture was to student leaders. I briefly reviewed life beyond the profession. I emphasized the importance of health, nutrition and community involvement as well as the role spirituality and self-reflection play in sustaining a successful career. I take any opportunity to help the future of my profession seriously and appreciate the support of Idexx Laboratories in co-sponsoring the event. Bayer Animal Health sponsored a dinner talk that focused on performing a thorough physical examination and the importance of teamwork in the delivery of high-quality medicine. The students really seemed to get it and I thank Bayer for sponsoring the event.

I also had the honor to present as part of a team of leading researchers on advances in glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate and the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. Nutramax Labs of Baltimore organized the special event.

I’ll give you updates on new products and advances that were launched at NAVC in the upcoming days. Stay tuned!

Weight loss is tough for anyone – two- or four-legged! However, losing weight and getting in shape can add not only years to you or your pet’s life; it can also make those extra years more enjoyable. Shedding a few pounds off of your cuddly companion may be easier than you think. It simply requires understanding the need for weight loss and fitness, attention to details and simple assistance from your veterinary healthcare team. 

Why a Healthy Weight is Important for your Pet

As few as three to five pounds above your pet’s ideal weight can put it at risk for developing some serious medical conditions. Unfortunately, when a dog or cat is overweight or obese it no longer is a question of “if” your pet will develop a condition secondary to the excess weight but “how many and how soon!” Some of the common disorders associated with excess weight include:

•Type 2 diabetes

•Heart disease

•Osteoarthritis

•High blood pressure

•Many forms of cancer – especially intra-abdominal cancers

Further, overweight and obese pets are expected to live shorter lives than their fitter, normal weight counterparts. Heavy pets tend to physically interact less with their families and are less energetic and playful. Because they tend to lay around more, it is easy to overlook illnesses since we attribute their lethargy to their “normal laziness.” We are just now learning how serious and threatening a few extra pounds can be for both humans and our critter companions. (continued here)

Please visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com for additional information on the pet obesity epidemic and how you can help improve your pet’s fitness. Dr. Ernie founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) in 2005 to help educate veterinarians and pet lovers about the dangers of pet obesity. In 2007, APOP conducted the first nationwide pet obesity survey on National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, October 17. The results of that study will be published in early 2008.

Three years, six half-Ironman distance races (including the 2006 Ironman 70.3 World Championships), over thirty total triathlons and road races and literally thousands of hours of training culminated today in beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida. The day started for me at 3:30 am when I “ate” breakfast. “Breakfast” consisted of a bottle of a high-calorie sports drink and water. Many of you will wonder why someone about to swim 2.4-miles, immediately bike for 112-miles and then run a marathon wouldn’t eat a big breakfast? The simple answer is you don’t need to; the more accurate answer is much more complex. (That’s one of the reasons I became a USA Triathlon coach.) I put on my race clothes and headed out to the course. I reviewed my swim plan: I would enter the water and anytime someone kicked, jabbed, elbowed, pulled my legs, swam over my back or gin general tried to harm me I would view the incursion as accidental; they were just like me, trying to get through the day’s events. I imagined myself surrounded by a protective bubble. Know what? It worked! My swim was incredible. Not only did I beat my goal time of 1:30 (1 hour, thirty minutes) by 22 minutes (1:08), I was completely relaxed and refreshed after the 2.4 mile ocean swim.

I made a quick transition and hopped on the bike for the 112-mile ride. My goal was to finish under six hours. I planned to stay in an aerobic heart rate zone (upper zone 2) for miles 1 to 56, punch it up to zone three for miles 56 to 84 and then recover the remaining 28 miles in preparation for the marathon. I had a solid nutrition, electrolyte replacement and hydration plan and would strictly adhere to it. I had pushed too hard and drank too little during the Ironman Hawaii 70.3 in July and learned my lesson on the half-marathon - the hard way. I would not make that mistake today. The bike went well (5:44) and besides some painful “saddle sores” from my wet tri-shorts the bike went remarkably well. My post-race heart rate analysis showed I executed my plan precisely and this set me up for a successful marathon.

To begin my re-cap of my marathon, I must point out that I had never run a marathon prior to Ironman. In fact, the longest run to date was sixteen miles. My training was interrupted sixteen weeks prior to Ironman by an emergency appendectomy and gall bladder removal operation. Going in to the marathon, my main goal was to finish under fourteen hours. I was terrified of how I might feel twenty miles into the run. Face it, by the time I would start a marathon I would have already been racing for nearly eight hours! Would I have the stamina and strength or would I be reduced to walking? The first twenty miles, I held back for fear of the dreaded “bonk.” I adhered to my nutrition plan and focused on a steady 10 minute per mile pace. I slowed down at the aid stations and drank adequate water. (Note: I drank only water for the entire event.) At mile nineteen, I felt strong but slowed to an 11:00 mile until I felt the “wall” that so many describe at mile 22. At mile 22 the “wall” never appeared and I thought, “You’d better hurry up!” I sped up the pace each of the remaining four miles and was at a 7:15 pace for the final mile. I crossed the finish line with a huge smile feeling fully alive and energized.

My wife had set a goal of 12:50 for me the night before the race. Panama City Beach is in the Central Time Zone. The entire day I had my watch set to Eastern Standard Time and therefore thought I had been out an hour longer than I actually had. As I approached the finish line, I thought I was finishing in 12:45. Imagine my surprise when Mike Reilly, “The Voice of Ironman,” announced, “In a time of 11 hours and forty-five minutes, Ernie Ward from Calabash, North Carolina, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!”

It was an incredible end to an amazing journey. My deepest thanks goes to my family, friends and co-workers who supported and encouraged me during the process. Without a strong support team, no one could successfully complete such an undertaking. Crossing that finish line can change your life - whether your goal is to complete an Ironman or lose a few pounds - get out there and make it happen.

Swim (2.4 miles) - 1:08

Bike (112 miles) - 5:44

Run (26.2 miles) - 4:39

Total - 11:45

October 17 was a busy day for me. After two years of planning, we launched the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day campaign and the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study. Over 100 veterinary clinics in the US participated in what is shaping up to be the largest study of the pet overweight/obesity issue to date. Rachael Ray was kind enough to support this effort by airing a segment on her show coinciding with National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. Thank you Rachael! She is a truly kind and compassionate person who cares deeply about pets. Visit the Television page for the show video. Visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com for information on the pet obesity epidemic, how you can tell if your pet is overweight and what you can do to help your pet get in shape and improve its health and well-being.

Today was another very cool day. My second appearance on the Rachael Ray Show aired October 25, 2007. The segment was titled “Is my pet normal?” and dealt with some interesting pet behaviors. Rachael was her normal warm and funny self and it was a pleasure working with her and the pet family members. I truly appreciate this wonderful opportunity to help pets and raise awareness that they are social beings with real needs and problems. I hope we were able to benefit these pet lovers with unique challenges. Visit the Television page for the segment.