Hi there,

I think this is a common effect of the reduced activity, as you say. My Meg also put on weight in the year or so prior to her amputation, when she had a series of operations because of orthopaedic issues, and was therefore extremely restricted in terms of exercise.

Once she'd recovered from her amputation surgery, I did restrict her diet, as I know it's important for Tripawds to be lean, and even more so if they have joint issues such as arthritis, which Meg does. Extra weight places strains not just on the single leg, but on the other legs, back, and all the joints and muscles. I just looked back through your posts but couldn't find the reason for the amputation. I'm sorry if I missed it. I was checking because I know those fighting Cancer have additional factors to consider in terms of dietary choices. 

For us, I found that restricting Meg's food in terms of quantity left her hungry. In fact, she would go and bark at the fridge. On the advice of her rehab vet, I switched to a prescription food that combines joint support with satiety. (I mix this with a small amount of homemade stew – lean meat and lots of veg.) This has been brilliant as she gets plenty to eat, has loads of energy and is clearly thriving. At her heaviest, she weighed almost 42 pounds (this was pre amp, but still...), and she is now just under 33 pounds, and has maintained this for over a year. I also find it helpful that we see the rehab vet regularly (about once a month), as Meg is weighed every time we see her, and this makes sure we stay on track. In fact, seeing how successful Meg has been in her weight loss, as well as my quadpawd, Elsie Pie (from 33 pounds to 26 pounds – she also suffers from arthritis), and the impact this has had on both of them, makes me think I need to find a rehab "vet" for myself...

All best,

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx