In the NEWS

[Kim in SD]

Updated: 07:34 AM EST

Government Approves Drug for Fat Pooches
By ANDREW BRIDGES, AP

WASHINGTON (Jan. 5) - Is your hound round? Too much flab on your Lab? Is your husky, well, husky? A new drug may provide some help.



AP
The new drug Slentrol helps obese dogs lose weight by restricting fat absorption - but it can also cause loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.

More: AOL Pets
Talk About It: Post Thoughts


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.

What next...lol...

[K9Klips]

Gosh the side effects don't sound very appealing. Now people will give their dogs the drugs and let them eat whatever table scraps they want thinking it is okay. Personally, my dogs get nothing but dry food and treats sometimes and I've never had a problem with them being too heavy. That's the best treatment as far as I am concerned.

[plushpuppy]

This was also on our local news in Seattle... I groom a few dogs that could benefit from this

[diamienono]

UH, if it is anything like the drugs that are out there for people, look out when the dog farts. It will be a wet one.

[toomuchfunbnme]

Medicated dogs

Wow, I'm sure that there may be a few instances where weight loss drugs can help some obese dogs who have special issues, but it seems like a healthy diet and propper exercise should take care of the majority of problems.

[pamperedpups]

Exactly, toomuchfun. But, some people are just toooo lazy! They want to pop a pill and be "cured"...

[Kim in SD]

ugh.. yea, I can't wait to groom my first dog thats on this drug..YUK!! I was thniking, wouldn't it be easier to just cut down the food intake? Maybe this is for the dogs that know how to work the refrigerator door...

[Chicken]

I heard about this too, and my first reaction was how ridiculous this is. Obviously for dogs with true medical conditions, this might be a blessing. But this is going to be overused by people who stuff their dog every day because "oh, Fluffenbutt would be so sad without her 40 pounds of Old Roy!"

It breaks my heart when these morbidly obese young dogs come in. They can't breathe, can't stand, can't walk, run, or play. People don't care that they're killing them. If we want to over feed ourselves, that's one thing - but we have a responsibility to maintain our pet's health & not allow them to overeat like this.

My father had an Irish Terrier that died at age 8 because it was so fat. He would feed it Wonder Bread because "Buster would just die if I didn't give him his Wonder Bread". Well, Buster died alright - FROM the Wonder Bread. Grrr!!!

[toomuchfunbnme]

How Sad!

(This does not apply to pets who truly need a med like this, but...) I'm sure that all the people that get this med for their dogs because they are too lazy to feed their pets a healthy diet, and give them adequate exercise, will be able to pay for the meds with all the money that they save by buying Ole Roy!

[lbboop99]

I have a lot of these overweight dogs that come in too. It was on Jay Leno last night. He said "how about picking up the bowl of dog food?" Duh! Unbelievable.

[diamienono]

ugh.. yea, I can't wait to groom my first dog thats on this drug..YUK!! I was thniking, wouldn't it be easier to just cut down the food intake? Maybe this is for the dogs that know how to work the refrigerator door...

The easiest way to drop weight on a dog without it feeling "starved" is to cut the food in half. Replace half with plain cooked pasta, then gradually cut down the pasta. Most will start shedding the fat rather quickly.

[irish23]

What will they think of next? Gastric bypass for dogs too??
I am going to have to tell my client who I groom her father inlaws 80 yes 80 lb cocker spaniel. It literally looks like a weeble dog. Poor thing is only 4. Her father in law feeds her viena fingers and toast!!
Not my favorite to groom.. when they get that fat.. when those vienna fingers come out there is no where to go, if you know what I mean.
Gross! I am gagging just thinking about it.
Poor thing she really is a sweet dog, just more of her to love...