Platinum Performance Helps Big Dogs Shed Pounds

    SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to
 optimum health for our animal companions, excess pounds are dangerous, says
 veterinary neurologist Dr. Anne Chauvet of Veterinary Neuro Services and
 Pet Rehab & Performance Center in Sarasota, Florida.
     Inspired by the inspirational reality television series "The Biggest
 Loser," which offered severely overweight participants the opportunity to
 undergo a radical physical makeover without any kind of surgery, Dr.
 Chauvet organized the first-ever weight loss competition for dogs, calling
 it "Big Dog/Big Loser." From January 18 to April 12 2007, 10 obese dogs
 from Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida competed for a $2,000 top
 prize a year's supply of dog food. Each dog entered in the competition had
 to be a minimum of 40 percent overweight. The winner was the dog that lost
 the most weight and inches in proportion to its breed class.
     Platinum Performance, Inc. was a co-sponsor of the event, providing
 Platinum Performance Canine Wellness Formula for the dieting pooches.
     The winner was a 10-year-old Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle mix) named
 Winnie. She lost 7 pounds, along with 4 inches from her chest and 7 inches
 from her waist to clinch the top prize in the 12-week competition. Winnie's
 humans are Bonnie and Larry Rauch of Greenfield Plantation, Fla.
     According to Karissa Mayer, a certified veterinary technician at VNS,
 Winnie also experienced a significant reduction in her triglycerides.
 Schnauzers, she explains, are prone to idiopathic hypertrigliceridemia.
 Veterinarians generally prescribe a high-fiber diet with added omega-3s to
 treat it. Winnie was on a prescription high-fiber diet. Once she was
 accepted into the contest, AVP vets switched her to a calorie-controlled,
 high-protein diet, and started her on Platinum Performance Canine Wellness
 Formula and the exercise program. "Her triglycerides went from a high count
 of 827 at the start to 106 at the finish," says Mayer.
     "Winnie's like a brand new dog," says Bonnie Rauch. "She loves Platinum
 Performance Canine Wellness Formula. When we first started this contest,
 she had little bumps on her backside (which I called hot spots) and since
 being on the Platinum (*Platinum Performance Canine Wellness Formula)
 they've disappeared. She also has unbelievable energy. We plan to continue
 to supplement with Platinum Performance Canine Wellness Formula."
     Tinmook, a Huskey, took second place, and third went to Dudley, a
 beagle.
     The dogs competed to achieve the biggest weight and size loss by
 reducing the amount of food they ate, supplementing with Platinum
 Performance Canine Wellness Formula, and exercising three times a week on
 an underwater treadmill (in addition to daily walks). They also
 participated in obedience classes, which helped them burn calories and
 increase muscle mass. Their human companions attended lectures on
 everything from basic canine behavior and nutrition to obesity and advanced
 nutrition, including the benefits of therapeutic and dietary supplements
 for dogs.
     Platinum Performance President and Co-founder Mark Herthel presented a
 lecture on all-natural nutrition supplements and their effectiveness in
 therapeutic treatments, and overall wellness and health maintenance
 programs for dogs.
     Exercise was a big problem for second-place winner, Tinmook who was
 impeded by a serious hind knee injury and a naturally thick heavy coat. He
 spent extra time on the underwater treadmill and loved it, says Mayer.
     "The contest was great," says Tinmook's human, Debbrah Conn, also from
 the Sarasota, Fla., area. "It not only helped him take off the pounds, but
 it showed us ways to make sure he gets his exercise in the hot Florida
 summers. Since Tinmook was a puppy, we've been giving him vitamins. We
 never knew if what we had ordered were the correct ones for Tinmook or not.
 Platinum Performance Canine Wellness Formula made it very easy. Our vet
 said it had everything that Tinmook needed, and it was easy to give him.
 Just put it over his food, and he seems to really like it. We plan to keep
 him on it."
     Stay tuned for a national level Big Dog/Big Loser contest, which
 Platinum Performance, Inc. also looks forward to participating in.
     Founded in 1996, Platinum Performance Inc. manufactures highly
 effective preventive, sports medicine and therapeutic nutritional products
 for companion animals, horses and humans. To order products or learn more,
 call 866/553-2400 or visit www.platinumperformance.com.
 
 

SOURCE Platinum Performance Inc.