On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:22:40 -0600, Kathleen
> wrote:


>
>I'm glad to hear that her weight is probably overestimated. Still you
>should have a heart to heart with the vet about her weight and fitness
>level.
>
>Most pet animal practices are so used to seeing fat animals that they
>look normal to them. My primary vet for the past 25 years is well
>accustomed to my "skinny" dogs but new partners need to be taken on a
>guided tour of their physiques before realizing that what they have
>their hands on is an extremely fit animal, and not malnourished.
>
>Every time a new partner has joined my vet's practice I have had to
>justify my dogs' "skinny-ness". A review of the actual standards and a
>guided tour of their physiques generally leads to back pedaling on their
>initial assessment. There's no way starved or malnourished dogs could
>maintain their muscle mass or log their level of performance.
>
>Favorite Newby Vet Comment (referencing Cooper, 5 yo JRT):
>
>"Look at those thighs... they're like turkey drumsticks. And his
>shoulders! Imagine what he'd look like if he wasn't neutered!"
>
>2nd Favorite Newby Vet Comment (referencing Zane, 7 yo BC):
>
>(While listening to his heart and respirations)
>"Ohh, he's so calm."
>Erm, no he's not. He hates the vet's office and especially new
>personnel. His eyes are showing white all the way around and for him,
>his heart is racing and he's breathing hard. But he's basically a
>canine Lance Armstrong and his heart rate and respirations only climb
>into housepet normal when he's freaked out.
>
>3rd Favorite Newby Vet Comment (referencing Scully, 8 yo BC):
>"Her veins are like hosepipes! I could hit them with my eyes closed!"
>(Please don't)

Oh lord. FYI I respect my vet- the only one there for the last 20
years. But guffaw to the newbies you've mentioned.

aloha,
cea