Is your hound round? Too much flab on your Lab? Is your husky, well, husky? A new drug may provide some help.
The government approved the first drug for obese canines on Friday. Called Slentrol, the Pfizer Inc. drug is aimed at helping fat Fidos shed extra pounds.
"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing," said Stephen Sundlof, director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration.
A dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight is considered obese. That takes in about 5 percent of the nearly 62 million dogs in the United States. An additional 20 percent to 30 percent are considered overweight.
The liquid drug appears to reduce the amount of fat a dog can absorb. It also seems to trigger a feeling of satiety or fullness, according to the FDA.
The prescription drug also can produce some unfortunate side effects, including loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.
And it's not for dog owners. The FDA discourages the drug's use in humans and lists a litany of side effects should anyone ignore that advice. Nor is Slentrol, also called dirlotapide, for use in cats.
Instead of resorting to drugs, reduce your dogs eating and give them some exercise and this will help them lose weight. Remember your dog can not tell you what this drug is actually doing to them. As you read above, the side effects are not worth it. Do them a favor – feed them a natural diet dog food and get some exercise. A simple short walk a day and getting your dog on a natural weight loss food will keep both of you healthier!
Lastly, watch the amount of treats you give your dog. By giving them high calorie treats you are sabatoging their weight. While you may not think that 5 or 6 treats a day add up, they do – especially if your dog is smaller. A great weight loss dog treat is Wholesome Hearts Low Fat Dog Treat.
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