Obie has just received a tummy tuck. The once obese dachshund has recently undergone surgery to remove over two pounds of lose skin after going on a serious diet. Already on recovery, owner says the dog must lose 5 pounds more.
The pet--originally named AJ--previously weighed 77 pounds after being spoiled with food by its aging owners. Now, at 7 years old, Obie had to undergo a serious process of shedding weight. Adopted by Certified Veterinary Technician Nora Vanetta and renamed Obie, the dog went through an eight-month process of serious dieting. The progression which had the pet lose 40 pounds, was well-documented online via a Facebook page, Biggest Loser Doxie Edition.
On April 30, Obie underwent a canine tummy tuck at the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin, removing his excess skin after the weight loss. The skin weighed 2 ½ pounds, leaving the dog at 35 pounds--he weighed 37 pounds before the surgery.
"Obie had a great night and all is well. He is back to a pretty normal routine minus walks and play time," Vanatta posted on Facebook two days after the surgery. "We haven't weighed him since the surgery, but he lost 2-1/2 pounds of skin, so he should be around 35 pounds now," read another post.
The vet also noted that she wanted Obie to lose five more pounds of weight. According to the New York Daily News, a traditional dachshund should only weigh between 16 and 32 pounds.
"I figure his healthy weight is between 28 and 30 pounds," Vanatta noted.
As part of the dachshund's extreme weight loss process, he was fed a special high-protein diet of Purina OM Overweight Management Canine Formula. After losing five more pounds, doctors will be evaluating Obie's health and state.
"My hope is that he can be an inspiration to any person or animal trying to lose weight," Veterinary Vanatta posted on Obie's Facebook Page. "It is so important to introduce pups and kids to a healthy lifestyle and food choices as early as possible. Prevention is the key!"
To learn more about Obie's story visit his Facebook Page: facebook.com/BiggestLoserDoxieEdition, and his website, obiedog.com.