 West Towne Veterinary Center's 6th annual “Pets Reducing for Rescues” Ideal Weight ContestPet Ideal Weight Contest kicks off at our wellness fair on Saturday March 7th 2015 from 12:30 to 2 PM
By: West Towne Veterinary Center 
2015 Ideal Weight SizingSmaller The initial contest weigh-in will occur on Saturday March 7th from 12:30 to 2 PM during our Pet Wellness Fair, which will cover on all aspects of preventive pet health care but focus on the health benefits of ideal weight and preventive nutrition. All contestants will choose their favorite local pet rescue organization and West Towne Veterinary Center (WTVC) will donate $5 for each pound lost during the FREE 8 week contest to that rescue. Friends, coworkers and family members are encouraged to match pledges. Contestants are encouraged to find other contestants to form dog teams for the “Dog Pack Challenge” or cat teams for the “Cat Pride Challenge” all to increase funds for rescues. WTVC staff will perform free ideal weight assessments for every pet that attends, veterinarians will be available to answer questions related to pet wellness and ideal weight, and vendors will provide pet product information, free samples, and coupons. From 1:30 to 2:00 PM, Dr. Ken Lambrecht will present an informative seminar on “Why ideal weight pets feel better and live longer and easy, fun ways to get there!" The preventive pet health fair, ideal weight seminar and contest are all FREE and open to the public. MEDICAL BACKGROUND & PET WELLNESS FAIR DETAILS Up to 59% of all pets are now overweight according to the AAHA 2014 Weight Management Guidelines. Ideal weight dogs live an average of 15% longer. Gail, Kealy et al 2002. Additional benefits include fewer health problems and associated lower healthcare costs. Evidence based “Ideal weight Guidelines” for pets have now been published for veterinarians to follow. The AAHA 2014 Weight Management Guidelines were published in January 2014 following The AAHA Canine & Feline Life Stage Guidelines published respectively in 2012 and 2010 which now are the backbone of preventive care for dogs and cats. “Ideal weight is perhaps the single most important preventable wellness parameter in pets, second perhaps only to pet dentistry” says Ken Lambrecht, DVM Medical Director of West Towne Veterinary Center. “Although challenging because of the huge emotional nature of feeding our beloved pets, we now have evidence based guidelines to help us reach and maintain ideal weight in pets safely and effectively." The fair will have details on overall pet preventive care, how to read pet food and supplement labels, how to determine ideal weight, calculate calories and determine adequate protein level, and staff from West Towne Veterinary Center will be available to answer general nutritional questions and to help pet owners learn more about the preventive foods and supplements that are available for pets. CONTEST DETAILS Free contest sign-up and initial weigh-ins will begin during the Pet Wellness Fair on Saturday March 7th from 12:30-2 PM. (If contestants cannot make it to the fair, they can still weigh-in at West Towne Veterinary Center until Saturday, March 14th at 12 pm when enrollment for the contest will officially close. Earliest entrants will have an advantage so weigh-in at wellness fair is encouraged) The contest will run for 8 weeks with a midpoint weigh-in on Wednesday, April 1st from 5:30-6:30 PM (those who cannot attend can get midpoint weigh-ins between March 28th and April 3rd. The Grand Finale and final contest weigh-in will take place on Saturday, May 2nd from 12:30-1:30 PM. Door prizes and over $1500 in contest prizes will be given at the Grand Finale. NEW THIS YEAR: We now have a complete Bug's "cat gym" complete with treadmill, climbing towers, and even an exercise wheel for cats. We also are launching the use of Heyrex, the first ever veterinary specific wearable biosensor for use in dogs & cats (http://www.heyrex.com) to help monitor, document and improve their weight loss success. More information at http://www.westtownevet.com In the last contest held in 2014 there were 42 final contestants and the Dane County Friends of Ferals and Dane County Humane Society together received over $1000 and 5 other rescues an additional $150. Dr. Lambrecht has over 30 years of experience as a preventive care veterinarian, and is the medical director and founding owner of West Towne Veterinary Center. He has been active with numerous WVMA & AAHA committees and is current chairperson of the Pet Nutrition Alliance Educational Tools Committee, as well as other advisory boards. He was one of the authors of the recently published 2012 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines. He will be presenting "Effective tools, dialogues and strategies for a successful weight management program” at the annual Purina Companion Animal Nutritional Summit in Barcelona Spain in March of 2015. # # # West Towne Veterinary Center is an American Association Feline Association (AAFP) Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice and also an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited veterinary practice We are a veterinary supervised grooming facility, weight management and veterinary rehabilitation center. We practice integrative and comprehensive dentistry, nutrition, and preventive wellness care. http://www.westtownevet.com End
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