Wigan dog Ollie is slimming success story thanks to help from experts

Ollie the pug has been slimming down, with help from experts at the University of Liverpool’s Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic.

The state-of-the-art pet obesity clinic, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, has helped nearly 500 cats and dogs to shed almost two tonnes of their body weight since it opened.

On average, pets managed through the clinic lose 20 per cent of their body weight - but Ollie exceeded all expectations and shed over a third of his weight in just 10 months.

He is now just 500g from his target weight and is unrecognisable from his former self. Ollie used to weigh 14.8kg (32.6lbs), but after being referred to the clinic, he has lost 36 per cent of his body weight and weighs a much healthier 9.4kg (20.7lbs).

His owner John Glascott, from Ince, said: “Before Ollie would spend much of his day sleeping, whereas now he loves playtime and exercise and runs during walks, which is a first! He now loves being active and can keep up during playtime with children or longer walks off the lead.

“Ollie’s breathing is now perfect, even during hotter weather and his allergies are also completely under control.

“We are incredibly grateful to Georgia and the clinic for supporting us and helping Ollie lose 5.4kg, which has made him feel so much better and healthier.”

The pet obesity clinic is based at the university’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital and was the first of its kind in Europe when it opened in 2005.

Alex German, Royal Canin professor of small animal medicine, said: “Over the last 15 years, we have learnt a lot about obesity in dogs and cats - what causes it, the health problems it brings and how best to manage it. We are delighted at how our insights have helped veterinary professionals to achieve success in managing obesity in the pets that they care for.

“However, above all we have loved sharing the journeys of the many pets and owners in reaching their goals and seeing for ourselves the improvements in quality of life that this brings.”

Nurse Georgia Woods said: “Obesity care can be challenging at times, but I have immensely enjoyed helping and guiding pet owners and their pets to success. I am also hugely proud of the education we have been able to provide to other vets and nurses across many countries.”

The clinic has helped nearly 70 different breeds of dogs to lose weight. Those referred to them most often are: labradors, cavalier King Charles spaniels, cross breeds, pugs, golden retrievers, border collies, dachshunds, Yorkshire terriers, bulldogs and cocker spaniels.