The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is announcing the approval of Slentrol (dirlotapide), a prescription drug for the management of obesity in dogs. Slentrol reduces appetite and fat absorption to produce weight loss. A veterinarian will determine whether the dog should be treated, based on the dog's weight and general health.

"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing," said Stephen Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Veterinarians are well aware that overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing various health problems, from cardiovascular conditions to diabetes to joint problems."

Veterinarians generally define a dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight as obese. Surveys have found that approximately 5 percent of dogs in the United States are obese, and another 20-30 percent are overweight.

Slentrol is a new chemical entity, called a selective microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, which blocks the assembly and release of lipoproteins into the bloodstream. The mechanism for producing weight loss is not completely understood, but seems to result from reduced fat absorption and a satiety signal from lipid-filled cells lining the intestine.

The drug is given to the dog in varying amounts over the course of the treatment. The dog is given an initial dose for the first 14 days. After that, the veterinarian will assess the dog's progress at monthly intervals, adjusting the dose depending on the dog's weight loss. After the dog has achieved the goal weight, the drug's manufacturer recommends continued use of the drug during a three-month period, while the veterinarian and dog owner establish the optimal level of food intake and physical activity needed to maintain the dog's weight.

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

To discourage human use, the label of Slentrol includes the standard warning, "Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children," and cites adverse reactions associated with human use, including abdominal distention, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Slentrol is manufactured by Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y.

For more information on Slentrol, please seewww.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/2006-141-260-fois001.pdf and www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/2006-141-260-fois001.pdf.

Editor's Note:

As with humans, proper weight loss cannot be achieved through a "magic pill." Remember the problems with the human weight-loss drug Fen-Phen (Wyeth) many years ago and the thousands of women who were allegedly harmed and/or killed by this drug.

This editor feels this is yet another get-rich-quick scheme by the pharmaceutical companies, but this time they're going to use our pets as test subjects, with, she fears, disasterous results.

Please, folks, use your head. Your vet is NOT an expert on your pet. You are! Vets rely on the words of the drug manufacturer reps. Our vets are too busy to research each and every drug they are exposed to. They are trained to care for our animals, not to undertake exhaustive research studies.

As with ALL drugs, human and otherwise, be VERY wary of any new drug placed on the market. In 2002, this editor lost two of her three dogs to a new, supposedly "safe" veterinary drug on the market known as "ProHeart 6." Over four years later, her third dog remains on medication to regulate his immune system. www.thepetguardian.com was formed to alert other pet guardians about the potential dangers of drugs and vaccines so they wouldn't/won't find themselves where she once was. This editor is ignorant no more, but after finding out the hard and extremely painful way, by losing her beloved dogs to a drug that was anything but "safe," a drug that harmed and/or killed thousands of dogs, as reported to the FDA and as appeared in many media markets. 17 pages of adverse reactions to this supposedly "safe"drug appeared in the FDA database.

Obesity in our pets can be prevented. An obese animal can be brought back to a normal, healthy weight. Optimum nutrition can be achieved by choosing the proper foods. And sorry, but we have to stop "loving our pets to death" by feeding them calorie-dense treats and poor-quality "food." It is up to us as guardians to make sure our pets are eating what they're supposed to. They don't get fat on their own. Use some restraint!

There are many excellent sources to consult on how to feed your pet. Seek out a pet nutrition class offered at many quality pet boutiques/shops. Ask your HOLISTIC vet for a nutrition consult. Pick up a book or view a DVD on nutrition and educate yourself. What's the payoff? A long, healthy life for your pet and significantly decreased and/or nonexistent vet bills for you.

The health of your beloved pet is in your hands. Please don't jump on the bandwagon and take the easy way out. Don't live the rest of your life regretting a decision you made because you wouldn't listen to your gut instinct and take the time to become educated first.

The Pet Guardian