RUSTY WEIGHS IN

Rusty, the obese chocolate Labrador, who hit the headlines a year ago when his owners were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, has reached his target weight.

Rusty weighed 74.2kgs, more than twice his ideal weight, when he was removed from his owners in March 2006. Between March 2006 and January 2007, Rusty lost 24.6kgs in RSPCA care. He was retur ned to his owners in January 2007 on condition that he did not put the weight back on and remained under the treatment of his vet Alex Wylie of Eastgate Veterinary Group in Bury St Edumunds.

In December, Rusty finally reached his target weight of 40kgs after receiving a special Royal Canin diet.

Rusty had also been suffering from untreated arthritic conditions, which have eased since his weight loss and he is receiving arthritis medication, donated by Meriel Animal Health Limited.

Alex Wylie said: "Rusty has made huge progress.We can now feel his ribs and he has a waistline at last. He is a much happier and healthier dog now, his pain is well-controlled and he walks much better than he could before. He can stand for long periods of time and doesn't tire as easily.

"Prior to his treatment and weight loss Rusty was the most disabled dog I have ever seen in practice. However, he now has a proper life again.

"I honestly think that without the help of the RSPCA, Meriel’s donation and Royal Canin, Rusty would have been put to sleep by now," she concludes.