Alli for dogs... Seriously

[Guest guest]

My sister's dog is on this drug however, her dog does not burn fat normally as in other dogs due to a variety of bizarre problems. But now Pfizer has a drug for your fat dog. Makes one wonder if there are diapers for dogs leaking orange goo... Now, I don't know if this is the same drug my sister's dog is on, but her dog is on the doggy version of Alli. And btw, the dog does indeed pooh orange goo and barfs all the time too. But due to problems the dog is absolutely unable to lose weight regardless of caloric intake and exercise and the pooch is on the verge of dying without weight loss. It's a pretty extreme and unusual problem.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/94203.phpDog owners, who would like a slimmer, healthier pet, shouldn't despair

just because diet and exercise have failed to have the desired effect.

At last UK veterinary surgeons have access to new pharmaceutical

options that can help increase the chances of successfully shedding

those extra pounds long-term.

A new drug which has already been used successfully in the US is now

approved for use by European vets. It works mainly by altering the way

the body handles fat in the diet, so the dog feels full earlier and may

beg less, thus making it easier for the owner to implement and commit

to a weight loss programme long-term. It has been developed

specifically for use in dogs and is not approved for use in any other

animals or humans. When used in combination with a controlled diet and

exercise programme, the new treatment can dramatically increase the

chances of long-term success.

Experts estimate that between 25-40% of Europe's dogs are overweight or

obese and are therefore at risk of long-term health problems1. Research

has shown that overweight dogs may live up to two years less than those

that are at normal weight2 and the list of serious health problems

linked to obesity include heart disease3, diabetes4 and

osteoarthritis5.

Being overweight also reduces the quality of life of many dogs, as they

are unable to exercise without becoming too tired, out of breath or too

hot. This in turn reduces the amount of fun that owners can have with

their pet, and potentially damages the pet/owner relationship.

According to Dr German, who runs Europe's first companion animal

weight management referral clinic at the University of Liverpool (http://www.pet-slimmers.com),

the rise in dog obesity has a number of basic causes: " Our modern,

work-oriented lifestyles mean that many pets do not get the exercise

that they should. Instead of forging the owner/pet bond with the

experience of shared exercise and play, many owners use treats as a way

of showing their love for their dog. "

The combination of too many calories taken in and not enough calories

burnt off, is the basic reason why our pets are putting on weight, says

Dr German.

" Of course, prevention is better than cure, " he says, " and getting into

good habits when you first get a new dog is the best strategy. But in

cases where the dog has become overweight, the answer is to follow a

diet and exercise plan devised by a veterinarian. " However,

owners often find it difficult to stick to a weight loss programme,

especially if their pet seems to be continually hungry.

" The new drug option means that vets now have an extra tool that can

help owners to follow and be successful with a weight loss plan, " says

Dr German.

The new treatment is being marketed by Pfizer Animal Health as an

integral part of a weight loss programme alongside dietary and exercise

modification and is available only from veterinary surgeons. The drug

comes in liquid form and can be either added to the dog's food once a

day or put directly into the dog's mouth using a syringe. A course of

treatment may last up to 12 months, and the dose is adjusted regularly

to maintain a healthy, gradual and tailor-made weight loss.

" This is not a cure for obesity, nor is it meant to be used as the sole

method of weight loss, " says Dr German. " For long term success, owners

still have to be motivated to follow an integrated weight loss

programme, which includes other elements such as modified diet and/or

exercise. However, it can help owners to succeed with getting their

dogs to lose weight successfully. "