Fat fido: U.S. approves first drug for obese dogs
By Idlewild
@Idlewild (6090)
United States
January 6, 2007 3:30pm CST
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug for obese dogs on Friday. It's called Slentrol, and it's meant for dogs that can be considered obese, which is more than 20% above their ideal weight. Approximately 5% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight, according to an article by the Associated Press.
The article notes that the liquid drug "can produce some unfortunate side effects, including loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite."
If you have a pudgy pooch, would you consider giving this drug?
2 people like this
2 responses
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
6 Jan 07
I think that's just crazy talk! Do people really walk around going, man, my dog really needs to lose weight! I hope not, because I had a fat dog when I was a kid and I think it helped him because I'd always tackle him when my parents weren't around lol! I think kids abuse animals the most (sorry for the tangent)...
1 person likes this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
7 Jan 07
It's only for obese dogs, not ones that are just chubby. If the dog has some kind of medical problem that causes them to add weight unnaturally (like some people), I can see it being useful--a dog that's obese will, like a human, develop all kinds of other health problems.
But if the dog is obese because he's getting fed to me, he just needs an ower who shows more restraint with the chow bowl.
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
7 Jan 07
Ahhh, I see, it's only for extreme cases... I think I'd try to find an alternate rout to helpind my obese dog lose weight. Is there such a thing as liposucktion for them?
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
6 Jan 07
No I would not. They also said not to be used for humans.
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