Doggy weight loss drug?

[FruitsAlive]

The vet recommended that I put my obese basset on a weight loss drug that just came out. I think it's called Slentrol. Does anyone have any experience with this? I know it's FDA approved, but I'm afraid of taking them myself...not sure I'd want to make my ten year old dog take it as well.

[sparrowgrass]

Why don't you just feed him less?

My dogs are getting heavy right now, because it is too hot to go outside and do all the running they like to do in the cooler weather.

So, they get less food. They are not allowed to beg at table, though they do get food treats as a training reward.

My dogs also love veggies, but be careful with that--it can cause digestive upsets. (Never feed my boys all the brussels sprouts they want, not unless they are spending a week or so outside. Phewy.)

(Dang, that feeding less might even work on me. Too bad I know how to open the fridge.)

[KristiB]

(Dang, that feeding less might even work on me. Too bad I know how to open the fridge.)

LOL. I knew a guy who trained his dog to go fetch a beer from the fridge on command. He had a towel tied to the handle so the dog could open the door. I always wondered if the dog would ever think to snoop around in there.

[Grace]

Yes I agree with Sparrowgrass. I wonder why a dog would need a drug when they can't feed themselves. I would only ever turn to drugs as a complete last resort since there are so many potential side effects we don't know about.

[FruitsAlive]

She's actually lost twenty pounds since I got her in february. I feed her the amount recommended for a dog in the lower end of her target range, but she just can't seem to lose those final fifteen pounds. Kinda like me :rolleyes:
She gets her daily walks and as much exercise as she can muster. She's just a little slow and tired. I had actually stopped worrying about her weight so much because she really seems like a whole new dog. Now the vet has me thinking I've been a bad mommy.

[Laurielee]

some of those drugs make me nervous. I think 20# since Feb is great. I had the same problem with my lab, I was practically starving him and no weight was coming off. I switched him to a all protein raw meat diet, which I think did it. I am not suggesting this but you might try a higher protein diet less carb food. My vet said many dogs cant assimilate carbs and their bodies.

Also on your other post over overgrowth of bacteria. Ask your vet about putting your dogs on probiotics, it does wonders for these types of problems and other ailments like skin and ear problems.

here is a great site in this informations www.nzymes.com

I give my dogs 1/4 cup of all natural yogurt morning and night in their food along with an enzyme supplement

good luck

Laurie

[JJeannette]

Before I resorted to a weight loss med for her, I'd have her thyroid checked to be sure it's functioning properly---as a dog ages many breeds have a thyroid problem and even if the tests show levels in the low-normal range, a low dose of thyroid med will help them lose weight.(And they don't have to have a bunch of other symptoms to have a problem).

I would also find a basset board and see what breeders and other long-time owners recommend in the way of amounts to feed. (I have shelties and if I fed the amounts recommended on the dog food bags, they would be waddling around like ducks!) You could also reduce the amount of kibble and add some salt-free canned green beans (or frozen ones) to increase bulk and supplement with a multi-vitamin--.