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Black Country bulldog cuts out McFlurries to slim down in competition

A bulldog from the Black Country with a love of McFlurry ice cream has finished second in a pet slimming competition.

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Missi the bulldog before and after.

Eight-year-old Missi, who weighed-in at 43.80kg (6st 13lb), has slimmed down to a healthier 33.50kg (5st 4lb) after undergoing a training regime.

It came after vets said the dog was at serious risk from the excess weight – with the ideal weight being 25kg (3st 13lb).

Missi, who slimmed down six inches around her waist, previously ate human food and ice-cream which caused her to pile on the pounds before her owner put her forward for the PDSA Pet Fit Club.

The diet and exercise challenge is specially tailored to help pups slim down.

Owner Gemma Slattery, aged 24, said: "Missi is a completely different dog now. She’s like a puppy again and has so much energy. She has a new-found love for her toys and will spend hours playing with them, it’s amazing to see.

"We’ve changed our routine and we go on long daily walks without fail, which she absolutely loves. She no longer waddles along, it’s a gallop.

"One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in her is her ability to climb the stairs. She couldn’t do this before and meant we had to wash her in the paddling pool outside. But now climbing the stairs is easy for her, and she loves a bath in the tub!

"She used to constantly bite her paws due to the pain her excess weight caused, but she’s stopped doing this since losing weight. She also suffered from joint problems and I know that the weight-loss has helped reduce the pain and inflammation.

"To know she’s healthier now is the best thing of all."

But despite the bulldog's weight loss, she has more weight to lose to reach the ideal 25kg figure.

Missi’s programme has been supervised by PDSA Vet Nurse, Kay Brough, at Wolverhampton PDSA Pet Hospital.

She said: "The change I have seen in Missi has been remarkable. She looks like a completely different dog to the one that first came here six months ago.

"Every month we’ve seen the big changes in her as the weight has come off.

"Her owner Gemma has been very dedicated, she has stuck to the diet and it has paid off in a big way.

"Any owners who are worried about their pet’s weight should seek advice from their vet, who can work with them to get them on the right diet and safely increase their pet’s exercise levels."

The winner of the competition was Luigi – a once-bulging beagle from Cardiff – who went from 29.10kg (4st 8lb) to 20.40kg ((3st 3lb).

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