Diet Pills for Fido?

On Jan. 5, the FDA approved a new diet pill for dogs called Slentrol.

I always knew something like this was bound to be developed. In fact, my sister Keesha had been secretly hoping for a magic bullet that would help slim down her rather corpulent physique. : ) Little did she know that all she needed was more exercise and less food! I once overheard my mom having a heart-to-heart talk with Keesha about the dangers of canine obesity. When a mild knee and hip joint disorder started to affect Keesha at such a young age, she and my mom knew that it was time to take things seriously. Keesha has since trimmed down her waistline and settled in at 77 pounds - - eight pound lighter than her heaviest weight. Keesha acheived her goals through diet and exercise - - the way most people do if they want long term results. Going on walks and hikes with mom and me, as well as eating V-Dogfood and fresh veggies as snacks, definitely did wonders for Keesha!

There are some instances when diet and exercise alone won't help one's weight loss efforts. I have heard about this happening with humans, so naturally it could happen with dogs! In instances such as this, I would agree that Slentrol is useful.

Below is an article about Slentrol that was just published today by the ASPCA. I hope you enjoy!

P.S. If your dog needs a little extra help and motivation to get out and get moving, I highly suggest signing up for a regular dog walking program. It did wonders for Keesha and will do wonders for your dog(s) too!


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ASPCA WEIGHS IN ON NEW DOGGY DIET DRUG

The ASPCA celebrates advances in veterinary science that have led to the creation of Slentrol, a “diet drug” for dogs approved January 5 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and expected to be available with a vet’s prescription this spring. Of course, we’d like to remind pet parents that no drug should replace regular diet and exercise programs, and that it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to determine if your pet would be an appropriate candidate for this treatment.

“Slentrol works by reducing a dog’s appetite and fat absorption,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the premier animal poison control center in North America. “As with any weight reduction program, Slentrol should be used as part of an overall weight loss and exercise program monitored by your veterinarian. Slentrol will typically be prescribed for three months, and dogs should be re-examined at that point.”

Dogs are defined as obese if they are 20 percent over their ideal weight. Surveys estimate that five percent of American dogs are obese, and another 20 to 30 percent are overweight. Just as in humans, obesity in dogs can lead to health problems, including joint disorders and diabetes.
“Pet obesity is a growing problem that needs to be addressed,” says ASPCA President, Ed Sayres. “However, we want to make it clear that the ASPCA does not consider medication a substitute for proper diet and exercise. This treatment should be considered only for seriously obese dogs, and only if diet and exercise programs have failed and a pet’s weight is endangering its life.”

Pet parents should be fully informed of Slentrol’s potential side effects and work closely with their vets when administering this medicine. Pet parents should also resist the temptation to pop a few Slentrol themselves, as the drug has been deemed dangerous for humans.