Head veterinary nurse, Lindsay Atkinson, with Ruby before her weight loss
Morbidly obese Jack Russell loses one-third of body weight
With the help of the PDSA's veterinary nurses, five-year-old Jack Russell terrier Ruby has managed to lose a third of her body weight, winning the charity's annual slimming competition.
In May this year, 16 dogs, cats and rabbits began a tailored six-month diet and exercise programme, overseen by the PDSA's veterinary nurses and surgeons.
Four years ago, this year's weight-loss champion, Ruby, was taken to an animal shelter after she was found underweight and roaming the streets in Sunderland.
When her current owner, Angela Martin, adopted Ruby, she admits the family "spoilt her rotten" and lavished treats and affection on her.
The whole team here at Sunderland PDSA is delighted at the transformation in Ruby
Angela says: "When Ruby first came to us, we all felt really sorry for her as she’d had such a tough start to life. So to compensate, we used to give her a little treat here and there. The trouble was, the whole family was giving her ‘a little treat’ and over time, she started to get really big."
Back in May, Ruby was morbidly obese at 9.1kg - more than 50 per cent overweight. Thanks to the Pet Fit Club, she is now a much healthier 6.2kg and has shed a massive 17cm from her waist.
Ruby after losing one-third of her body weight
"The whole team here at Sunderland PDSA is delighted at the transformation in Ruby – we were over the moon when she was named the winner," said Lindsay Atkinson, head veterinary nurse at the Sunderland PDSA PetAid Hospital.
"With the right advice, her dedicated owners reduced the treats, increased her exercise and followed Hill’s Metabolic prescription diet."
Commenting on Ruby's success, Angela added: "We are absolutely delighted with the results and can’t thank PDSA enough for helping Ruby to slim down. Winning the competition is wonderful, but the real prize is seeing Ruby enjoying a new lease of life tearing around the garden and playing with her toys."
The PDSA team helped this year's finalists to lose a total of 57kg. Lindsay said that while this will vastly improve the animals' health, happiness and quality of life, it's not all about weight loss.
She says: "One of our main aims with this competition is to raise awareness of this serious welfare issue among the general public."
To find out more about this year's competition, see the Pet Fit Club video.
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
