Annika Bram, a UC Davis veterinary student, worked on a tough case with Frannie, an 8-year-old golden retriever that was overweight and had trouble moving around. Frannie’s illness had a big effect on her quality of life. This story details Annika’s special care for Frannie, which shows how important it is to deal with pet obesity and how helpful veterinary knowledge can be.
Frannie’s initial condition
Frannie had a terrible case of fat. She weighed an unbelievable 125 pounds, which is too much for her breed. It was hard for her to move or stand because this stressed her body. Her health was getting worse; She had less energy and was in more pain. Her metabolism was already very slow because of hypothyroidism, making it very hard for her to lose weight. To make her life better, Frannie immediately needed help from someone who knew what they were doing.
Annika Bram’s determination
Vet student Annika Bram met Frannie soon after Georgia, her dog, died. Even though Annika was sad, she cared about Frannie and was determined to improve her life. Annika cared deeply about Frannie’s health and created a personalized diet and exercise plan while closely monitoring her progress. Annika created the Instagram account @frannies.fight to share Frannie’s story and help others. With more than 300,000 fans, she tracks Frannie’s progress and helps pet owners who are going through the same things.
The weight loss journey
1. Custom diet
Frannie’s personalized diet was based on healthy, well-balanced foods and fewer calories to lose weight. It included healthy fats, high-quality proteins, necessary nutrients, and controlled carbohydrates to meet energy needs without causing weight gain.
Controlling portions and eating a healthy diet were important parts of Frannie’s plan to lose weight slowly. By watching how much she ate, she made sure she got enough minerals without eating too much, which was good for her health and gave her more energy. This method gave Frannie the nutrients she needed for health, energy, and muscle repair, which was key to losing weight and improving her quality of life.
2. Physical therapy
Frannie’s physical therapy goal was to improve her general health, mobility, and strength. Gentle moves, hydrotherapy, and massage can help reduce pain and improve flexibility. It was difficult to help an overweight dog like Frannie get around again because her joints and muscles were hurting, she was at risk for inflammation and arthritis, and she had less energy. Frannie’s mobility and quality of life improved with a structured rehab plan and physical training focused on her needs.
3. Notable strides
Frannie lost 31 pounds, which made it easier for her to walk up to 500 yards. This growth gave her more energy and a happier mood, which improved her quality of life and showed how well her support was working.
4. Emotional impact
Annika was so happy for Frannie when she did little things like taking her first steps or getting excited about playing. It made their bond stronger and kept them going. Frannie’s story became popular on social media, and Annika’s Instagram account, @frannies.fight, got a lot of support. Sharing Frannie’s story on this platform became a way to get support and give hope to others going through similar problems with their pets. The outpouring of support made Frannie feel better and showed how social media can bring people together to show compassion and love.
How can you help your pet lose weight
Consult your veterinarian
Talk to your vet before you change your pet’s food or exercise routine. They’ll check your health, give you a target weight based on your breed and age, and give you personalized tips on making safe and healthy changes.
Calculate daily caloric needs
Use this method to determine how many calories your pet needs daily: How many calories do they need daily? = Your ideal weight ÷ 30 + 70. To determine how much food they need, consider their size and activity. Change based on health, age, and breed. You can be sure your pet is getting the right nutrition by talking to your vet.
Choose high-quality food
Pick high-quality food that meets your pet’s nutritional needs and has enough protein to keep its muscles healthy. Avoid fillers and artificial ingredients that are too high in quantity and don’t provide digestive health and important nutrients. If you feed your pet good food, it will stay healthy and grow. Ask your vet for suggestions.
Frannie’s journey to renewed health
Frannie’s change shows how to deal with pet obesity and get help from a professional. Her growth shows how important it is to take care of your pet by ensuring they get enough food, exercise, and regular visits to the vet for their long-term health and happiness.
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