Obese dachshund's weight loss journey

Obie is a dachshund from Washington state who at his heaviest weighed 77 pounds in August, 2012. His original owners were elderly, and showered him with treats until he became obese.

Keep clicking to find out more about Obie's weight loss journey...

Nora Vanatta from Portland, Ore. decided to take in Obie and help him lose weight. Vanatta had studied animal science at Colorado State University. She documented the dachshund's progress on the Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition Facebook page.

Vanatta had studied nutrition and animal behavior, so she thought she was up for the challenge of getting Obie healthy.

Vanatta was expecting to see an overweight basset hound. She couldn't believe that a dachshund had reached more than 70 pounds.

Obie gets powder on his stomach to prevent infections and rubbing.

Obie was put on a special diet to help him shed the excess weight.

Eventually, Obie started an exercise routine including swim therapy and treadmill work.

Because his stomach skin rubbed on so many different things, Obie needed baths every few days to prevent infection.

Obie's other family includes dachshund named Noggin (pictured here) and a black lab named Hunter (not pictured), both who live active lifestyles.

Obie (left) and Noggin take in some sun.

Obie rests on the bed.

Obie relaxes with his fellow dog friends.

(Left to right) Obie, Hunter and Noggin pose for a family picture.

Dr. Alon Kramer -- who later would perform surgery on Obie's excess skin -- examines the dog. In December 2012, Obie weighed 49 pounds.

Obie's shows off his sleeker body shape during his bath.

Obie gives his godmother Peggy Scearce some kisses on his seventh birthday.

Daily walks are necessary to maintain Obie's health, but sometimes he needs to take a break.

Obie takes a rest during his daily walk.

After a short rest, Obie resumes his walk.

Obie attends a symposium in Seattle, Wash.

Obie visits the veterinary technicians at Sanford-Brown College to teach them about pet obesity.

Obie's rib cage is slightly visible in this picture, but the excess skin as a result of his weight loss remains.

Obie goes on his first hike.

Obie weighed in at 37 pounds and 4 ounces on the day of his surgery in April, 2013. He lost a remarkable 44 pounds in eight months.

Because Obie had so much excess skin after losing 44 pounds, the skin folds were putting him at constant risk of infection.

He needed a bath every few days to ward of infection between the skin folds. Obie also had to use a special medicated shampoo to help heal any wounds.

Obie is sedated and ready for his procedure.

Obie is prepped for surgery. The skin removal procedure was medically necessary, and not done for cosmetic purposes.

Warning: The following four pictures of Obie's surgery may contain graphic imagery that some viewers may not want to look at.

Doctors pull on the excess skin during Obie's surgery.

Doctors work to remove the excess skin that appeared after Obie's incredible weight loss.

Doctors at Oregon Expert Vets stitch Obie up. The dog's procedure is complete.

In total, 2.5 pounds of excess skin was removed from the dachshund.

Doctors at Oregon Expert Vets who completed the procedure show off Obie's skinner physique.

Obie gets some well-deserved rest at the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin after the excess skin from his stomach was removed.

Obie opens his eyes after his procedure.

Obie stretches his paws after his tummy tuck procedure.

Post-operative Obie is in a playful mood.

Owner Nora Vanatta snaps a picture of Obie's first post-op pee. He's wearing a little plastic ball called a Jackson Pratt drain to collect all the extra fluid from the surgery site.

Obie catches up with Noggin.

Post-surgery Obie goes on a scouting mission with his friend Noggin.