US obese dogs to get diet pills

[BoyBach]

The world's first weight-loss drug for dogs has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Slentrol, made by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is intended to significantly reduce the appetite and increase fat absorption in canines.

The FDA's head of veterinary medicine said the drug was a welcome addition to animal therapies because of an apparent increase in dog obesity in the US.

...

The drug will appeal to dog owners who want a fast and simple way to slim down their canine pets, Bonnie Beaver, a professor in veterinary medicine told AFP news agency.

"It's easy to say we will feed them less and exercise them more. Well, we know how well that works for us," she said.

- BBC

 

[Leareth]

Very very sad world we live in when even our pets need diet pills.

 

[leekohler]

I saw this in the news last night. F***ed up. Hello? Why not quit feeding the dog so much? Why not walk or run with the dog regularly? This is so typical of US attitudes. It makes me ill.

 

[Queso]

There was a TV programme on here a few months ago where a dog owner regularly fed her chihuahua curry. As a result, a dog that is supposed to only weigh 5-8kg weighed 18kg. And she honestly thought doing this proved she loved the dog

My belief that humans are the stupidest animals on the planet is reinforced.

 

[phungy]

This is hilarious!

 

[MacNut]

Richard Simmons should release some workout tapes for pets.

 

[thedude110]

Let's be fair. Individual dogs have predispositions toward obesity just as individual humans do -- it's not always as easy as "feed the dog less" or "exercise the dog more." For those particular dogs, this is a wonderful, long term, life prolonging, pain reducing thing.

Granted that y'all are likely right and this is going to become a cop-out for lazy dog owners (read -- people who shouldn't have a dog, anyway). Note the side effects, though ... loose stool/diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy.

Just imagine the phone calls vets are going to have to deal with -- "You gave my dog his diet pills and now he keeps pooping and vomiting on my floor!"

Delicious vicious circles ...