BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- How do
Americans treat their obese dogs? Run with them and exercise
overtime or give them a good diet control? Yes. But now the
Americans have more choice: just some pills for their dogs.
The United States, media reported Friday,
has approved the first prescription weight-loss drug to treat plump dogs.
"This is a welcome addition to animal therapies
because dog obesity appears to be increasing," said the FDA's Center for
Veterinary Medicine.
The drug, Pfizer Inc.'s Slentrol, decreases appetite
and fat absorption to help obese dogs lose weight, the FDA said.
However, the medicine can also cause various side
effects, including vomiting, loose stools, diarrhea and lethargy.
The drug will be available this spring and will be
given orally at various doses.
Pfizer recommended using the drug for three months,
but said dogs taking the drug were studied for up to 10 months, and the
"duration will depend on the amount of weight loss needed."
Americans own 65 million dogs, according to
statistics cited by the Humane Society of the United States, and about 39
percent of U.S. households have at least one.
Veterinarians generally consider dogs that weigh 20
percent more than their ideal weight obese, the FDA said.
Roughly 5 percent of U.S. dogs are obese and another
20 percent to 30 percent are overweight.
Like their human counterparts, overweight dogs are
also at risk for developing diabetes, heart trouble, joint problems and other
complications, the FDA said.
(Agencies)
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