Obese dog diets to get in shape

Patch is taking short walks and having hydrotherapy sessions

A dog so obese he is unable to walk has been being placed on an extreme low-fat diet by vets.

Patch weighed 28kg when he was brought in to the Dogs Trust centre in Glasgow just before Christmas after his owner passed away.

His legs could not support his weight - roughly equivalent to an eight-year-old child - so he had to be carried around in a special harness.

The centre's staff want to get the six-year-old Beagle Cross into shape.

Their aim over the next few months is to slim him down to a more manageable 15kg.

Victoria Kelly, from the centre, said: "We get a lot of overfed dogs in the centre, but nothing to the extent of Patch.

"As soon as he came in we knew something needed to be done."

Patch's weight leaves him at grave risk of developing heart failure, diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis or arthritis.

Dogs that have been overfed can exercise to reduce their weight - what has happened with Patch is that his weight has prevented him exercising Victoria Kelly Dogs Trust

However, he risks organ failure if he loses weight too quickly.

Staff are therefore placing him on a gradual exercise programme, consisting of short daily walks in his harness and hydrotherapy sessions.

Ms Kelly said: "Dogs that have been overfed can exercise to reduce their weight.

"What has happened with Patch is that his weight has prevented him exercising."

Now the centre is looking for a home for Patch, promising to meet the cost of any further medical treatment.

Ms Kelly said: "We are looking for a home to work quite closely with us, but also somebody who can avoid falling for the charms of his big brown eyes, pleading for treats."