Health

FDA approves diet pill for obese dogs

by Victoria Revay | January 5, 2007 at 11:33 am

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North Americans -- humans that is -- are NOT the only ones increasing their girth in alarming widths. So are dogs, so much so that the FDA today announced approval of Slentrol, a prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs. A vetenarian will decide if the dog is overweight enough to get the pill. They have to be 20 percent over their ideal weight. One Texas woman has the right idea of this. She recently opened a diet day center for plump pooches. For $600 a month, her program puts dogs on a strict diet and exercise plan.

Check out our beautiful slide-show:

Adverse reactions associated with treatment with Slentrol include vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite.

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Actual News Geezer

at 11:41 on January 5th, 2007

Many thanks, RV

sbaden

at 15:01 on January 5th, 2007

Fat dogs belong to fat people. I feel sorry for the animal for having to live a fat life style forced upon it by its owner. The dogs just want to run and play but are forced to sit in 700 sq. ft. apartments all day.

Diet pills to the rescue. When are people going to realize that diets and pills don't work. God forbid people get off their lazy rears, excercise and eat right. By the way, eating right doesn't include diet soda.

Victoria Revay

at 15:05 on January 5th, 2007

I think what is so alarming is that eve our animals have to go on diets. We just have too much food, not enough restraint and not enought exercise.

ljcurlies

at 02:21 on January 7th, 2007

It is upsetting that people would even consider a diet pill for their dog! There is no reason for a dog to be overweight, most dogs are overweight because their owners either overfeed them, don't exercise them enough or they have medical reasons, such as thyroid conditions, and aren't being treated for them. Many dogs are fed poor quality food, and because it is poor quality, they have to eat a lot more of it to get the nutrition that they need. Good quality food doesn't have the fillers that cheap stuff has, you feed less of it, and the dog gets proper nutrition. If the dog is still "hungry", just give the dog some green beans in its diet and the dog will feel more full without the calories!

I show dogs, and do not have any problems with them being oveweight, even after they have been spayed/neutered. Proper care, health checks, and decent food make a big difference in the dog's metabolizm and general health!