The Cabot Lodge in Gainesville ,Fla. will never be the same. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandmothers, Laws, In-laws, Brothers and Sisters all gathered there around the fire in the lobby and celebrated Christmas. Bob and Michelle could not leave town because of the impending grandchild so we brought Christmas to them. All went well except that we burned a hole in the deep-fry pot for the bird and had to settle for roasted turkey. So, great holidays. We missed Leslie and her family because of fear of explosive tennis shoes. Poor them, they were skiing in Switzerland.

We appreciate all of our clients It has been a real pleasure working with you and your pets and we at Indian River Animal Hospital strive to provide advanced veterinary services.

How good can we be to our pets? Every holiday I mention to you to remember our pets. This can be too much kindness in that overfeeding can produce obesity. Obesity brings to mind several conditions that can be detrimental to our cats. Hepatic lipidosis (fatty degeneration of the liver in cats). I am as guilty as many of you in that I have a cat that is close to the top in being overweight. Fat in cats deposited not only in the muscle but also in the liver. In excess amounts can compromise liver metabolism. Any condition that causes inappetance or loss of appetite will cause fat to be utilized for energy with the by-product being a toxin (ketones) that must be detoxified by the liver. Excess ketones can be toxic to other organs of the body by causing a generalized toxicity. Treatment can be very involved and expensive. Do not do as I do but keep your cat at a healthy weight.

Obesity in dachshunds. This breed along with beagles and bassets have a predisposition for back problems (intervertebral disc degeneration) Obesity causes a strain on the back and can cause the above described condition where abnormal pressure is placed on the spinal cord nerves causing severe pain and progression to posterior paralysis. While excess weight does not cause the predisposition of the condition it can aggravate it.

Hip Dysplasia and Knee Ligament Damage: These are conditions which while not necessary caused by obesity, can be aggravated by excess weight.

Be kind to your pet but excessive weight can be detrimental.

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