Dog on a Diet: Jax’s Story

Diets. No one likes them, especially a four-legged fur ball who LOVES food. Before we get to the diet. Here is the back story.

Last year at this time, we noticed that Jax was limping on our daily walks. One morning, he started yelping and holding his right hind leg up. We rushed Jax to the animal emergency room at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. Upon examination we learned that Jax tore his cranial cruciate ligament in his right knee. Surgery was needed to repair the tear.

The surgery went really well and the prognosis was quite positive for Jax. But the recovery would be long. For the first 12 weeks, Jax was put on bed rest with outside activity limited to using the bathroom. This meant no more 60 – 90 minute walks in the Wissahickon Valley and no more visits to the dog park. It was challenging for all of us.

In addition to the bed rest, Jax was prescribed a rigorous physical therapy program. Slowly his knee started to heal through the physical therapy he received at West Chester Veterinary Medical Center. Jax aqua jogged and did strength training exercises on his visits to the Center. The physical therapy paid off. His range of motion in his right knee is quite good considering he tore a ligament.

Along with his recovery came the addition of nine pounds. Oops. To help Jax feel better, I sometimes ‘dropped’ an extra cookie on the floor. Who doesn’t like a cookie when feeling sad? Or we let him clean our plates after dinner. We saw it as pre-washing our dishes and saving water….

So a lot was going into Jax, but not much making its way out. Hence the nine pounds gained in seven months. During a follow-up visit to his surgeon, we were told Jax needed to lose weight. For his overall health, and his knee in particular, it was imperative that Jax get back down to where he started: 44 pounds.

So we had our mission. No more table scraps. Food limited to ¾ of a cup twice a day. And slowly increase his walks. It’s not easy saying ‘no’ to when he gazes lovingly with his big, brown eyes. But I reminded myself that if I want to continue to see those big, brown eyes, Jax needs to drop the weight.

I’m proud to report that Jax has lost seven pounds during the last five months! He’s on his way back to his fighting weight. And he seems happier and is definitely more energetic. He still gets the occasional treat, but we make sure to give them to him in moderation.

While I hope your swanky pups never have to endure a cranial cruciate injury, I highly recommend Penn Vet and West Chester Veterinary Medical Center should you ever need emergency services or a rehabilitation program.

See Jax before and after: