A Spaniel from Stilbaai, Western Cape, is the new Hill’s Pet Slimmer for 2005.
Once on doggy death row and so fat she could barely move, the winner called Prisca, has beaten off hefty competition from hundreds of dogs and cats around South Africa and Namibia in this annual pet slimming contest.
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Prisca lost 14,5 kg, going from an obese 28 kg to her current weight of 13,5 kg. Having lost 52% of her bodyweight she has gone from being too fat to walk a few metres to being “a really happy and lively dog” who bounces around the beach with her new owners Phil Nicholson and Geraldine Small.
Obesity poses higher health risks
“Overweight pets tend to be lethargic and irritable, they often suffer from skeletal problems and are at a far higher risk of arthritis, cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” says Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary consultant to Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “Losing weight can give pets a completely new lease on life, which is exactly what has happened to Prisca and the other entrants in the competition.”
Her previous owners lived in a small flat and were unable to exercise her. She grew fatter and fatter until she became immobile and had no quality of life. They decided it may be kinder to put her to sleep, but fortunately Phil and Geraldine stepped in and gave Prisca a new home.
When Prisca arrived “We were not just shocked, but stunned and unable to believe what we were seeing,” said Phil Nicholson. “We had never seen a dog so big. We felt so sad for her. She was obese but we loved her immediately.”
Challenge of the first walk
Phil and Geraldine knew exercise would help Prisca lose weight, but her first walk on the beach was not a great success. “She just lay down in the sand after about 30 metres,” said Phil. “The size of her stomach prevented her hind legs from moving forward and we were concerned that she might have a heart attack. People looked at her in shock and horror. I was embarrassed that they might think we were to blame for her condition.”
“It was obvious to us a team effort was required,” said Phil. They took Prisca to see Dr Kriek of Stilbaai Animal Clinic, who put the canine on a veterinary supervised pet slimmer programme and a specially formulated diet for obese animals (Hill’s Prescription Diet r/d).
Prisca improves
“After three months, we noticed Prisca’s snoring had stopped and for the first time she was able to stand up in the morning without any help from us. Even the sad expression on her face had changed. She was looking alive and happy, probably for the first time in many years,” said Phil.
It took eight months on the Hill’s Pet Slimmer programme for Prisca to reach her target weight. These days she can walk for hours, and Phil says she “runs like the wind when we throw her ball, and she jumps too. As soon as I drop the bakkie’s tailboard, she no longer waits to be lifted - she runs and jumps into the back.”
A moving testimony
“Prisca’s story really moved us,” says Rina Cronwright, one of the judges and managing director of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “She’s a lovely dog whose life has been transformed. And even with a less extreme weight loss, pets become happier and healthier as they shed their excess kilos.”
Prisca’s owners have won a trip for two to Mauritius and three month’s supply of Hill’s pet food. “We’re absolutely delighted,” said Phil. “But first prize for us is having a happy and lively dog. The holiday is a very nice bonus.”
This is the tenth annual Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year competition, which is organised to highlight the dangers of pet obesity. Animals reaching their target weight on a veterinary supervised weight management programme are eligible to enter. People who are concerned about their pet’s weight should speak to their local veterinarian.
Winner and finalists of Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year 2005
Winner - Prisca, a Spaniel from Stilbaai, Western Cape, who went from 28 kg to 13,5 kg
Bobby, a Dachshund from Kuils River, Cape Town, who went from 17 kg to 8,7 kg
Chocolate, a Pointer from Edenvale, Gauteng, who went from 49 kg to 34,85 kg
Chucky, a Miniature Pinscher from The Bluff, Durban, who went from 10 kg to 5 kg
Coppelia, a Siberian Husky from Port Shepstone, Kwazulu-Natal, who went from 39 kg to 26 kg
Gabby, a Dachshund from La Lucia, Kwazulu-Natal, who went from 8,3 kg to 5,3 kg
Jessie, a Labrador from Tableview, Cape Town who went from 65 kg to 39 kg
Jonty, a Beagle from Tokai, Cape Town who went from 26 kg to 12,08 kg
Steffie, a Fox Terrier from Pretoria who went from 17,7 kg to 10,8 kg
(Press release by Hill’s Science Diet, December 2005)
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