WVC Vegas 2026 Education - Obesity: Uniting Care and Control

The Curious Case of Felix’s Triple Dip Dining
– DVM’s Reflection on a Vet Tech’s Insight

In veterinary practice, it's easy to get wrapped up in the medical charts, diagnostics, and procedures. Oftentimes, it's the conversations outside the exam room after observations are made by our veterinary technicians that help shift a patient’s entire course of care.

One such case was Felix.

Felix was a charming little cat. Come to find out, a little too charming. It was his annual dental cleaning visit. Easy peasy, straight forward, right? Well, it wasn’t until my vet tech’s detective work and increased knowledge she had gained at a recent veterinary conference that Felix’s clever ruse was about to be revealed...

A Routine Visit, Turns Revealing

My veterinary technician had entered the exam and found a warm, attentive, and clearly loving family. It was obvious that Felix was well taken care of. She weighed him and immediately red flags were raised. Felix had gained nearly three pounds since his last visit, a significant increase for a cat his age & size.

At first, his family hadn’t noticed Felix was getting… well… rounder. Each member thought they were the only one slipping him a few extra treats here and there. No biggie, right?

My tech started to ask the right questions and discovered Felix had mastered what we call “Triple Dip Dining". 

Felix would begin begging Dad early in the morning, bat his eyes at the teenager at noon, and dramatically plead with Mom before dinner. Each family member would give in to his charming ways and thought they were the only one. Felix had become a mastermind playing his humans perfectly, and it was paying off in snacks.

The Risks Beneath the Surface

When my tech brought this to my attention, I shifted gears. This was no longer just about teeth, it was about Felix’s overall health and, more urgently, his safety under anesthesia.

Obesity in cats complicates sedation. It can impair lung function, slow recovery times, make IV catheter placement more difficult, and increase stress on his heart. My tech and I sat down with Felix’s family to walk through these concerns. It wasn’t about shaming, it was about understanding that this weight gain, while gradual and unintentional, posed real risks for Felix.

What impressed me most was how my technician stepped in to help. It wasn’t just with data, but with solutions. She’d just returned from a veterinary conference and was brimming with fresh knowledge on enrichment, obesity management, and family-centered care strategies.

When Education Meets Practice

At the conference, she attended a track series focused on obesity, anesthesia, and enrichment for small animals. She shared insights on how boredom, not just overfeeding, can drive weight gain in cats and dogs. She introduced the idea of enrichment-based weight management. Introducing things like puzzle feeders, vertical climbing spaces, and interactive play to help address both physical and mental stimulation.

Even more importantly, she emphasized the need for family-wide consistency. Her takeaway? Weight management doesn’t work unless everyone in the household is on the same page. That message resonated with Felix’s family, who admitted they had never really talked about their individual feeding habits.

Thanks to her guidance, we helped them develop a feeding schedule, reduce free-access treats, and introduce a few enrichment tools to keep Felix engaged and active between meals.

A Stronger Care Team, A Healthier Patient

As a veterinarian, I rely on my technicians to be my eyes, ears, and often bridge to the client. In this case, my vet tech’s ability to apply what she learned at the conference transformed a routine dental visit into a critical turning point for Felix’s long-term health.

The dental procedure itself? It went smoothly. We adjusted our anesthetic protocol and increased our monitoring due to Felix’s added pounds. But more importantly at his next visit, we saw a shift in the family’s engagement and routine. They had become a team, working together to ensure Felix had fun stimulation activities and a consistent feeding… & treat… schedule.

And that’s exactly what we aim for in modern veterinary care.

Final Thoughts from the Vet's Chair

Obesity in pets is often underestimated. It’s not just a cosmetic issue. It complicates anesthesia, increases the risk of chronic disease, and affects an animal’s quality of life. But with proactive conversations, compassionate guidance, and team-based education, we can make a real impact.

I’m grateful every day for technicians who bring back practical, actionable knowledge from conferences. Their curiosity and commitment don’t just enrich their own careers, they directly improve patient care.

Join Us at WVC Vegas 2026 for a 3-Part Obesity Learning Series

If you’re a veterinary professional, especially a DVM, encourage your technicians to invest in their continued education. The difference they can make in cases like Felix’s is undeniable.

Coming up at WVC Vegas 2026, the 3-Part Obesity Learning Series includes sessions like my tech attended, offering knowledge and insights that bridge the gap between enrichment, obesity management, and anesthetic safety.

Veterinary technicians are invited to join us at WVC Vegas 2026 covering:

• The Skinny on Obese Patients Under Anesthesia
• Healthy Cats, Happy Lives: Enrichment-Driven Approaches to Combat Feline Obesity
• Fighting the Fat: Practical Strategies for Canine & Feline Weight Management

I highly recommend all veterinary technicians attend these upcoming sessions!

Join Us at WVC Vegas 2026

Ready to empower your techs, improve patient outcomes, and reduce stress around anesthetic procedures?

Registration is now open - don’t miss early bird pricing and hotel selection.