Help for Pudgy Pooches
Reported March 13, 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — We all know most Americans overeat and don’t exercise enough. But statistics show we’re bringing our pets with us! Four out of every 10 dogs are overweight, and it’s no laughing matter. Those extra pounds can lead to arthritis, heart disease and breathing trouble.
“Food is love. People love their pets, so they feed their pets,” says Robert Buzzetti, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Imperial Point Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Your pooch is too pudgy if he weighs 20 percent or more than his ideal body weight. And just a couple of pounds make a big difference. An extra seven pounds in a dog that normally weighs 35 pounds is like an extra 30 pounds in a person who should weigh 150!
Diet and exercise are the best ways to slim down, but if they fail, veterinarians can now offer another option: Slentrol — the first FDA-approved weight loss drug for dogs.
“The biggest benefit is it causes a release of hormones that go to the brain that tell the animal that they are full,” Dr. Buzzetti says.
It also blocks fat absorption. In a study of 141 dogs, more than half lost 12-percent of their body weight in just four months. That’s what Jane vonRutenberg is hoping for her two-year-old Maltese, Coco, who should weigh about eight pounds.
“I think she got up to about 12 or 13 pounds. Almost 14 pounds. I thought something is wrong here,” vonRutenberg says.
Coco’s twin sister, Kate, is a healthy seven pounds, even though they eat and exercise the same.
“Finally, I said, ‘Isn’t there something we could do? She shouldn’t be this heavy,'” vonRutenberg says.
So, she started Coco on Slentrol. Coco started at 13.9 pounds. Today, she’s down to 11.13 pounds. She has a little more to lose, but she’s headed in the right direction.
Side effects of the drug are rare but include vomiting and diarrhea. The cost depends on the weight of the dog, but typically runs between one and two dollars a day. Dr. Buzzetti says Slentrol is not intended for long-term use. It’s usually stopped after four months once dogs reach their target weight. If you’re wondering, no, Slentrol is not safe for human use … or for cats!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dr. Bob Buzzetti
Imperial Point Animal Hospital
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
(954) 771-0156
[email protected]
http://www.mypethospital.com
