NOTE:
The amount of food listed in Kim Danoff's letters is sufficient (per manufacturer)
to feed a 35-40 lb
mature
dog, not a 7 to 17 month pup.
[These
excerpts are from Kim Danoff's letters and are related
to
her idea of feeding Stella.]
From: xxxxxxxx(Kim Danoff)
>Sent: Jan 25, 2007 9:06
PM
>To: xxxxxxxx(Linda)
>Subject: stella
>
>hi linda
>In terms of her weight...please
don't put much more weight on her. It is not in her best interest. I don't try to keep her her current weight-she has
an incredibly high metabolism and keeps herself at this weight despite continuing to increase her food. more than 3
lbs is going to be too much stress on her joints. like i said she eats 2 meals per day and each meal consists of a 12oz
can (or something equivalent), 2-4 several cookies depending on size, sprinkled pieces of dog jerky, 1-2 healthy joint treats,
a Rosie or 2, and sometimes archetype as croutons. then 1-3 raw hides per day. it really comes to a lot of food.
Then she gets a multi-vitamin and glucosamine/chondroitan.
>>
>kim
>
>
>
>Kim Danoff, DVM
>Certified in Canine Rehabilitation,
>Veterinary Acupuncture, Reiki
>
_________________________________________________________
[Excerpt from Kim Danoff letter]
1/30/07
Dear D.A.R.E. Board Members,
Just as an FYI…I am well versed in canine
weight management (although I am not a nutritionist by any means). I have taken classes and done extensive reading on
this subject; offer weight management consults in my office; have Purina’s body condition scoring on the walls in my
office and grade every patient by this system that enters my office; I have been asked by the Hope Center to start offering
this service to their clients and we are in the process of working out those arrangements.
In terms of her weight, Stella’s
body condition score ranks at a 4/9. She currently eats a large amount of food, more than the average dog
her size should eat. However, she has a high metabolism and will be challenging to put weight on her.
Increasing her weight, needs to be done with care, due to her joint problems, as it is not always easy to get off a dog with
mobility issues. In addition, some animals will always remain thin regardless of the quantity of food they eat, and
this does not mean that the animal is nutritionally deficient. More is not always better. Reassessing her body
weight and mobility with a few extra pounds should be done on a routine basis. Being thin at this age is a blessing
to her physical condition, as one day her weight will catch up with her, as it does with all of us.
Diet and Supplement
Stella is fed a high quality diet (the best foods on
the market) and include Honest Kitchen Force, Embark, and Preference; Wysong All Meat; Archetype, Aunt Jeni’s raw and
cooked; Country Dog, Wellness canned; Wysong Healthy Joint Treats; Jerky Treats; Rosies; and some fresh organic human meats
on occasion. She is fed a large amount of food 2 times per day in elevated food dishes. (She may not look like
she eats a lot but it is not easy putting weight on her; she has a tremendous metabolism). She receives a multi-vitamin
and glucosamine/chondroitan. We have started her young on glucosamine, because dogs with this deformity usually have
arthritis by the age of 1 year. Stella also has a luxated left elbow that also goes along with this deformity.
Sincerely,
Kim Danoff , DVM and Charles
________________________________________________________
[Excerpt from DAR&E's 'Stella
Q&A']
From DAR&E Board Member Shannon xxxxx
--- xxxxxxxx(Shannon) wrote:
To: dare@yahoogroups.com
From: xxxxxxxx(Shannon)
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:55:08 -0500
Subject: [DAR&E]
Volunteer Questions & Answers
Previously we requested folks submit questions for
the Board of Directors
regarding Stella. In
response to those questions and concerns about
Stella and the board's decision
to approve Kim's
adoption of Stella, we have posted a Q&A document
and additional documentation in a folder
titled
"Stella" in our DAR&E yahoogroups Files section.
If you have questions
or require clarification,
please email any board member privately, or send to
darefeedback@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Shannon
|
Question 5: I know some information
came about changes Kim is to make for Stella's benefit. For clarification, could your restate what those changes are?
Are these recommendations or required; that is, what happens if one is not met?
Answer: The Following is the
addendum created for KimĒs contract. If any items are not met, DAR&E has the option
to repossess Stella, as we do with any adoption contract for which requirements are not met.
[In addition to the terms and conditions outlined in
the adoption contracts, the following clauses will apply to the adoption of Stella:
Stella
will be placed on a consistent diet of high quality kibble. This diet will not be varied on a daily basis. While
variety is acceptable for treats or diet augmentation, basic daily meals (twice per day, same amount each feeding) are required
to be consistent.
Stella
needs to maintain an appropriate weight to her frame, only the last rib should be easily visible.
A basic obedience class must be scheduled prior to
adoption and the obedience classes should commence within five weeks of the date of adoption. The obedience classes
will be conducted with Veronica xxxxx and other dogs may or may not be in attendance. It is understood that the goals
of the training are for Kim and Stella to master the Canine Good Citizenship exercises.
DAR&E volunteers will schedule periodic visits
to assess StellaĒs weight gain and to ensure that she is maintaining her weight. These visits will continue for an indeterminate
period of time.] |
____________________________________________________
NOTE: Compare the pictures
of Stella to the chart that
Kim Danoff uses. Now compare a
picture of
Charles (her other dog) to Stella.
[From Kim Danoff's site]
http://vetrehab.org/inside/rehab/weight.html
How to determine if your pet is overweight?
· Run your hands along the sides of your pet's
chest. The ribs should be easily felt with only a small amount of fat covering.
· View your pet from the side. The abdomen should
be tucked up behind the ribs.
· View your pet from above. There should be a
slight hour-glass shape to your pet's waist.
____________________________________________________________
Purina Body Condition Scoring
Chart
(from Purina's site) 
