posted on January 5, 2007 03:33:46 PM
...DOGS!
Just when I thought diet food for dogs was the most stupid thing ever invented to rip off over-zealous pet owners.....
here comes a drug people will use and not just for that "abused by fattening" dog...
FDA Approves 1st Drug for Obese Dogs
Updated 6:03 PM ET January 5, 2007
By ANDREW BRIDGES
WASHINGTON (AP) - Is your hound round? Too much flab on your Lab? Is your husky, well, husky? A new drug may provide some help.
The government approved the first drug for obese canines on Friday. Called Slentrol, the Pfizer Inc. drug is aimed at helping fat Fidos shed extra pounds.
"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing," said Stephen Sundlof, director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration.
A dog that weighs 20 percent more than its ideal weight is considered obese. That takes in about 5 percent of the nearly 62 million dogs in the United States. An additional 20 percent to 30 percent are considered overweight.
The liquid drug appears to reduce the amount of fat a dog can absorb. It also seems to trigger a feeling of satiety or fullness, according to the FDA.
The prescription drug also can produce some unfortunate side effects, including loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.
And it's not for dog owners. The FDA discourages the drug's use in humans and lists a litany of side effects should anyone ignore that advice. Nor is Slentrol, also called dirlotapide, for use in cats.
In general, dogs need a far fattier diet than humans do to thrive. Fat is an essential source of calories for dogs and is necessary for growth, development, reproduction and healthy skin, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Like all diet drugs, Slentrol is meant to be part of an overall weight management program that includes a complete and balanced diet and exercise, according to its label. Slentrol is not a cure for obesity; its effects cease within a day or two of stopping treatment.""""
""""The prescription drug also can produce some unfortunate side effects, including loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.""""
All I can say to that is if you abused your dog by overfeeding and lack of adequate exercise then you deserve those lovely side-effects
posted on January 5, 2007 03:58:27 PM
Actually that has been out for years Hillbillymo.
And it isn't a bad thing in my opinion. Having had two little Yorkies who needed the equivalent to knee replacement surgery and the other had to have ear canal reconstruction, not to mention bladder surgery and eye surgery, insurance is a very wise thing to have these days...
posted on January 5, 2007 04:25:05 PM
I am aware that it has been available for some time now. You will soon see the lives of pets extended beyond usefulness, just because it can be done and generates revenue. The problems experienced with the U.S. healthcare system will be mirrored in pet insurance system. It is all about the money! I understand that on the surface it would appear to be a windfall for pets. However, the cost will soon become prohibitive for many as it is for the populace.
posted on January 5, 2007 04:59:39 PMYou will soon see the lives of pets extended beyond usefulness, just because it can be done and generates revenue.
What an asinine thing to say.. lives extended beyond usefulness.. The Care and love of one's pet is not judged on it's usefulness. If your puppy became lame, and surgery could correct the problem, wouldn't you have the surgery done? Or is the puppy no longer useful since it is no longer perfect.. so throw it away.. Dumb ass, friggin dumb ass...stupid idiotic stuff..sh!t like that makes me sick..
posted on January 5, 2007 05:10:18 PMIt won't be long before a pet owner will need heath insurance for their pet.
If only we could claim them as a dependant and put them on the health insurance provided by work
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on January 5, 2007 05:56:51 PM
Bebeboom sorry that you feel that way. However, If a pet had major brain trauma and was in vegetative state with a poor prognosis of recovery. Do you think it should be kept alive by artificial means indefinitely on the chance of recovery?
posted on January 5, 2007 07:09:24 PM
bebeboom, you jumped to an incorrect conclusion in regards to my earlier statement. What made you think that I would deprive an animal of basic care that could restore health or mobility. I am speaking of medical procedure such as chemotherapy, radiation and other radical intervention to extend life, regardless if the remaining life is of any quality or not. If there remains a difficulty in you understanding that, you should consider a living will for your pets, but then again, they can't express to you what they want. So you're on your own.
Have a nice day!
[ edited by hillbillymo on Jan 5, 2007 07:10 PM ]
posted on January 5, 2007 07:19:18 PM
My thoughts on the topic are that the drug, like diet dog food, is totally unnecessary and it will be abused by humans.
Giving an animal proper health care, the right amount of food and exercise, IS loving the animal.
Making it obese is abuse and drugging it because of the OWNER'S lack of control is also abuse.
posted on January 5, 2007 07:20:55 PM
Hillbillymo.. I think I understand what you said completely.. and I would opt for radiation and chemotherapy when it would give my pet a chance at a better quality of life even for a short time.. I have no problem understanding that you are a moron and not a pet friendly person.. so save your "Have a Nice day" and stick it where the sun don't shine..
[ edited by bebeboom on Jan 5, 2007 07:22 PM ]
posted on January 5, 2007 07:28:36 PM
Sorry, bebe, but putting a poor animal through something as tough as chemo or radiation treatment, prolonging their suffering, is loving yourself more than your little friend.
Hillbillymo sounds very kind.
posted on January 5, 2007 07:44:49 PM
There are lots of people who will not do the humane thing for their pets and end their suffering when the time comes because they just can't bear to let them go. this is the height of selfishness, to keep a suffering animal around for your own sake is sickening.
I don't think you're one of those people bebe, but I do think you misunderstood hillbillymo.
posted on January 5, 2007 08:05:56 PM
No.. I did not misunderstand.. I would never prolong suffering or pain. What I said is if for instance the dog has a tumor in 2nd stage and your vet says with chemo or radiation there is a good chance to cure the cancer..then I would go for it.
I think you people know me enough to know I would never let my pet suffer for my benefit..
I had to put my two yorkies down last year because I didn't want them to suffer one minute and there was no cure for their problems. So don't you dare call me selfish!!!
