5th Annual Pets Reducing for Rescues & Pet Wellness Fair

MADISON, Wis. - March 6, 2014 - PRLog -- West Towne Veterinary Center (WTVC) will kick off their 5th annual “Pets Reducing for Rescues” Ideal Weight Contest at their Pet Wellness Fair, which will be held on Saturday April 5^th, 2014 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prolog (Press Release) (../) – March 6th, 2014 – The 5^th annual “Pets Reducing for Rescues” Ideal weight contest will have 4 divisions:  “Biggest 4-Pawed Loser” Dogs, “Biggest 4 Pawed Loser” Cats, “Iron Dogs”, and “Iron Cats”

The initial contest weigh-in will occur on Saturday April 5^th 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 groups for the “Dog Pack Challenge” or cat groups 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 “How Preventive Nutrition Can Help Pets Live Longer, Feel Better, and Reduce Health Care Costs”

The nutrition fair, seminar and contest are all FREE and open to the public.

MEDICAL BACKGROUND & PET WELLNESS FAIR DETAILS

Over 59% of all pets are now overweight according to the AAHA 2014 Weight Management Guidelines (https://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/Weight_Management...). 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 and they follow Canine & Feline Life Stage Guidelines published respectively in 2012 and 2010, and together provide 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 dental health” 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 reach and maintain ideal weight safely. In addition, there is a large body of emerging evidence about the value of using fish oils, joint supplements, and probiotics in pets.  Assessing quality, accurate dosing, and choosing the right products is challenging, and evidence is needed to make sure benefits are achieved”

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 vendors and staff from West Towne Veterinary Center will be available to answer general nutritional questions and to help pet owners learn more about the 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, April 5^th, 2014 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, April 12th at 12 pm when enrollment for the contest will officially close. Earliest entrants will have the advantage so weigh-in at wellness fair encouraged)

The contest will run for 8 weeks with a midpoint weigh-in on Wednesday, April 30th from 5:30-6:30 PM (those who cannot attend can get midpoint weigh-ins between April 26^th and May 3^rd.  The Grand Finale and final contest weigh-in will take place on Saturday, May 31st from 12:30-1:30 PM. Door prizes and over $1000 in contest prizes will be given at the Grand Finale.

More information at http://www.westtownevet.com

In the last contest held in 2012 there were 72 contestants and the following rescues participated and/or received donations: Friends of Ferals, Grey Muzzle, Capital K-9's, Dane County Humane Society, GRRoW, Madison Area Dachshunds, WAGS, Adopt-a-Husky, Wisconsin Westie Rescue, and Angel's Wish.  Over $1000 in donations were made to these rescues.

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 is active with numerous WVMA & AAHA committees and is curretn chairperson of the Pet Nutrition Alliance(http://www.petnutritionalliance.org) Non Branded Tools Committee Task Force, as well as other advisory and fundraising boards. He was one of the authors of the 2012 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines.

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West Towne Veterinary Center is located at 6605 Mineral Point Rd and is an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited veterinary practice, as well as a veterinary supervised grooming facility, weight management and veterinary rehabilitation center. We practice comprehensive dentistry, nutrition, and preventive wellness care. http://www.westtownevet.com