Ask a Vet: New Year's Resolutions for Pets

Welcome to our weekly 'Ask a Vet from the SF SPCA' feature on 7x7.com. They've enlisted their Interim Co-President, Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, to answer your questions every Thursday. Got a question for Dr. Scarlett? Ask away in the comments!

Q: I love my golden retriever Flurry! What can I do to make sure she is with our family as long as possible? Are there healthy living tips for dogs?

A: Yes, there are! More than anything else...anything else, keeping your dog thin is surest way to keep her in the world with you as long as possible. A study a few years back showed that labs maintained slightly under “optimum” weight not only lived significantly longer than related, overweight labs, but they also enjoyed greater health.
Like us humans, the majority of our pets are overweight. If you can’t easily feel your dog’s ribs, you’ll need to get your pooch on a diet and a treadmill. Now, there are some sneaky genetic factors and something called apoptosis, programmed cell death, that spoil all bets on longevity. “Life is short, but wide.”-- is so true for our canine buddies, (and us), but keep her thin, have fun, hug often, keep having adventures and she’ll get the most out of her genes and this life.

While we can’t answer all of the questions here, please feel free to ask us during our Friday Twitter Ask the Vet Chat. If your animal’s problem is of an immediate nature, please call your vet or you can reach the SF SPCA at 415-554-3030 to make an appointment.

Hi there-
It is true that we are seeing quite a few purebreds coming through shelters as people are making housing changes, life changes, etc. Please start with a rescue group or shelter. You may walk in and find love at first sight with a totally unexpected pooch. If you are set on a frenchie, you can use petfinder.com to locate an animal of a specific breed at a shelter or rescue.

By SFSPCA (not verified) on January 07, 2011

Hi Johnny, the French Bulldog Rescue Network is your best bet for a Frenchie that won't cost you an entire paycheck. They post dogs regularly and many are listed in CA (important b/c you have to pick up the dogs yourself, they don't ship them). I have two French Bulldogs and though I love them to death, its important that you know a lot about the breed before you commit. They tend to have lots of health problems that can cost you $$$ (like the $1800 palate surgery we just paid for a couple months ago). But they're worth it. Check out the FBRN website and good luck!

By Kristin (not verified) on January 03, 2011

"More than anything else...anything else, keeping your dog thin is surest way to keep her in the world with you as long as possible."

Would you offer the same advice for an english bulldog? We got our dog from a rescue last year and the vet said she needs to lose some weight. We don't feed her much at all but she tends to sleep most of the day so she can't seem to lose the weight. She also always seem to be hungry since we put her on a diet. She has become aggressive with food, sometimes tries to attack other dogs in public to go after their food. Any advice about her weight or aggressive behavior?

By D Park (not verified) on January 03, 2011

Please check with rescue groups like, Rocket Dog Rescue, NorCalFamilyDog Rescue, etc. There are a lot of purebread dogs being abandoned and left at shelters throughout the State due to the economic crisis.

By Anonymous (not verified) on January 03, 2011

Johnny, I would recommend applying with a french bulldog rescue group in your area. They will pair you with the perfect pet that fits your lifestyle and matches your family's personality. If you cannot find a rescue group close to you, consider your local animal shelter as a great second alternative. You can search their online directory of available pets or ask to be put on a waitlist when your desired breed becomes available for adoption. Best of luck and thank you for considering rescue!

By Anonymous (not verified) on January 03, 2011

so our new years resolution is to get a french bulldog.... where can i get one and not pay billions of dollars for him/her?

By johnny (not verified) on January 03, 2011