Fat Fido: Pharmaceutical help for obese dogs on the horizon

[TribalRats]

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By GEORGIA KOHART

crescent@crescent-news.com

Every dog owner knows the routine: pleading eyes, drooling, begging. Man's best friend wants to snack when man does. As a result, the same lack of exercise and intake of excess calories that is widening human waist-

lines has their canine counterparts experiencing an increase in girth, too. Pharma-ceutical help for obese dogs is on the horizon.

Slentrol, developed by Pfizer for the

management of canine obesity, was given approval Jan. 5 by the Food and Drug Administration. The new drug will work as an appetite suppressant by promoting a feeling of fullness in addition to affecting the amount the dog's body absorbs. The new drug will be on the market in spring at a cost of $1-$2 a day.

In general, a dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight is considered obese. Veterinary Forum magazine reports that recent research places about 35 percent of dogs and cats in the U.S. as overweight or obese.

According to local veterinarians, the new medication will not be a magic pill for pudgy pets. While all the veterinarians agreed they have seen an increase in animal obesity, it is not a new problem and the solution isn't new either. Each stated that behavior modification -- of the dog owner -- is the most important first step, with the possible addition of the new drug in some cases.

"Slentrol is not going to be the only answer," said Jim Raimonde, DVM, of the Defiance Area Animal Hospital. "It will have to be used in combination with exercise and limiting calorie intake."

Doug Burgei, DVM, of Napoleon Veterinary Clinic, agrees. "I might prescribe it in an 'all else has failed' situation, but I would try other things first," he said. "Just like humans, it would also require an increase in exercise and diet modification."

"I'm anxious to see how it works," said Don VanVlerah, DVM, of Defiance Veterinary Clinic. "I'm afraid dog owners will think giving a pill will be all they have to do. It's the same for humans -- for weight problems we want the easy way out."

Some breeds, such as Labrador retrievers and dachshunds, have a genetic predisposition to gain weight. Spayed and neutered animals may have a slightly higher propensity for putting on a couple extra pounds. However, as to what is behind the widening of canine behinds, the main culprit is too much of a good thing.

Higher-calorie pet and human foods also contribute to the problem.

"Pet foods today are palatable, they really taste good," said Darcy Adams, DVM, of Fountain City Veterinary Hospital in Bryan. "Some dogs will just eat and eat no matter how much you put in front of them. It's difficult if the owner perceives that the dog is hungry. It needs to be a positive change."

As part of owner behavior modification, Adams encourages clients to make substitutes in what they give their pets, such as Cheerios instead of steak or that last bite of toast. "It's too hard to do if it feels negative to change the pattern," she said.

"We have a lot of good prescription diets for weight loss and maintenance available," Burgei said. "It's not so much the treat, it's that it should be two treats a day, not seven or eight."

While there is reason to be concerned about the upward swing in pet obesity, Raimonde cautions owners. "Let the vet tell you if the dog is fat," he said. "There are some medical problems that can be the cause of weight gain. The dog needs a checkup before radically changing his diet. You cannot just take food away because it can cause an animal to go into starvation mode."

Raimonde suggested splitting a single large feeding into two smaller ones and supplementing with fresh vegetables such carrots instead of high-calorie treats.

High caloric intact is not the only culprit, however. More dogs living inside and a sedentary lifestyle are a couple more reasons American dogs are turning into couch kibbles.

Both Burgei and VanVlerah noted during their years of practice that they have seen an increase in the number of indoor dogs. According to Veterinary Forum, which places the rate of overweight middle-aged American dogs at 50 percent, dogs naturally spend up to 70 percent of their day lying down. Like their human counterparts, they don't have to work for their food like their ancestors did, and this has led to a largely sedentary lifestyle.

Too many calories and not enough activity sound monotonously familiar, but canine obesity is not cute or funny, according to Van Vlerah. And Adams listed the conditions for which overweight dogs are at risk: cardiovascular and respiratory and liver disease, diabetes, orthopedic and neurological disorders.

"It's that psychological bond," VanVlerah continued. "People just love to overindulge their pets. We love to see our animals eat because it makes us feel good, like we are taking good care of them. We just can't say no."

[GSD]

I have an even better solution, its called exercise. It's free, its fun, and you can do it anytime of the day.

[KennelMom]

Originally Posted by GSD

I have an even better solution, its called exercise. It's free, its fun, and you can do it anytime of the day.

You took the words right out of my mouth!