pet connection

I have struggled with obesity all my life, a struggle that eased dramatically with gastric bypass surgery in 2000. I have been overweight since the age of 9, and before surgery was more than 430 pounds. Yes, you read that right. 430.

Now, although I am not “thin,” I am reasonably sized and capable of living life pretty much as I want to. Gastric bypass surgery changed my life, no lie. In humans, obesity is a complex issue, complicated by the fact that we here in the United States can pretty much hop into our car and eat 24/7. I can’t do that now, and I’m happy for it.

But guess what? In my whole life, I have never had a chronically fat dog.

It’s easy to keep your dog slim. Far, far easier than working the same magic on your own fine self. It’s easy because your dog can’t open the refrigerator, call in a pizza order or hit the drive-through or supermarket. Your dog is dependent on you for his meals.

And if you don’t overfeed him and give him some exercise — ideally, a brisk daily walk, which is good for you, too — your dog will not be fat.

As I said: Easy.

Seems it’s not easy enough, since a drug company has now jumped through all the hoops to get a canine anti-obesity drug approved. From the FDA:

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.

[...]

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.

[...]

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

The side affects are even worse for people, by the way, so don’t get any ideas. And Slentrol is not approved for cats.

Food is not love. Feed your pets a measured amount (your veterinarian can help you decide what that is), don’t hand out treats all day and take your dog for a walk. That’s all you need do to take control of this problem.

Update: Speaking to the New York Times, an executive at Pfizer:

“This is not a passport to abandon exercise or diets,” said George J. Fennell, Pfizer’s vice president in the United States for companion animal health. But Mr. Fennell said the drug would be a big help for dog owners who find it difficult to cut back on doggy treats.

“You hear pet owners say: ‘The dog really wags his tail when I give him a treat. It’s hard to hold back,’ ” Mr. Fennell said.

The NYT piece also notes the product will cost $1 to $2 per day.

Is it hard to hold back from stuffing crap down your pet’s throat? Tough. If you love your dogs, you will put (as Dr. Marty says) less food down their throat and more miles on their feet.