Weight Loss Pill
07/10/08

Keeping your pet lean is the most cost effective health care advice I give. It’s likely among the most common health care advice I give as well as the vast majority of our pets are overweight. Now there is a pill that will very likely help you win the battle of the Bowser bulge. This wonder drug is called Slentrol^®.

There is some evidence that suggests that fat begins to act as an independent organ in the bodies of overweight dogs in that the fat itself secretes hormones that slow metabolism and lead to more weight gain. This may explain why some dogs just won’t lose weight even when you carefully follow your vet’s advice as for as what and how much to feed. At our clinic we always make sure an overweight dog doesn’t have underlying disease that contributes to weight gain and try dietary management first. I have been skeptical of the “weight loss pill”. As a society we likely are far too quick to reach for a problem solving pill than we should be. However, Slentrol^® has now been on the market for approximately a year and thousands of doses have been given without significant health risks or side effects. Furthermore, it appears to work fairly consistently. 

Slentrol^® works by suppressing your dog’s appetite and, less importantly, blocking some fat absorption. It is not yet available for cats. If your overweight dog is an aggressive eater and a relentless dinner table beggar and you’ve tried to significantly reduce the volume of food (and treats) you are giving without successful weight loss then this product may be a good choice. Overweight dogs live an average of 2 years shorter life spans and develop numerous diseases at far higher rates and earlier in life than lean dogs. Studies have determined and quantified what we all already knew. Lean is healthier. The health risks of being overweight may well justify the expense and effort of using the “weight loss pill”. The expense will be offset somewhat by the fact that your dog will eat less dog food and you will likely eliminate or at least delay the expense of treating arthritis and other old age degenerative diseases. More importantly, your dog’s quality and quantity of life will be improved.