Veterinarian Nominated for Homeland Security Medal

Credited for discovering the scientific breakthrough that identified the cause for the nationwide pet food recall in 2007, Dr. Renate Reimschuessel is a finalist for the 2008 Homeland Security Medal. The medal is part of Service to America Medals, awarded annually to recognize and celebrate excellence in our federal civil service. Congratulations to Dr. Reimschuessel and the other finalists. Good luck!

Slentrol ... Weight Loss Drug for Dogs

Update 11/27/2009: No compensation was received for this post. Please see our Disclaimers and Disclosures for details.

Slentrol (dirlotapide) is the “diet pill” for dogs from Pfizer, Inc. It was the first of its kind to be approved by the FDA in January of 2007.

You can read more about Slentrol here. Dirlotapide belongs to a class of drugs that inhibit microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). The exact mechanism of these MTP inhibitors in weight loss is not fully understood but appears to be from appetite suppression (makes pets feel full and stops them from begging for more food) and decreased fat absorption.

Studies have shown sufficient weight loss results to warrant us keeping Slentrol in our arsenal of weight management strategy. However, it should only be considered after the tried-and-true diet and exercise regimen has failed. A full medical work-up for underlying medical conditions should also be done before reaching for Slentrol.

Side effects reported by the manufacturers and veterinarians who’ve prescribed the drug include:

Vomiting

Soft stool or diarrhea

Lethargy

Poor appetite (although, I would have thought that was the desired effect with this drug?)

Intermittent elevations in liver enzymes

These signs resolve over time or with the discontinuation of the drug.

Studies indicated that approximately 90% of the resulting weight loss was due to enhanced satiety and reduced food intake as opposed to caloric loss due to fat malabsorption. Hence, there seems to be little concern for loss of fat-soluble vitamins as with the lipase inhibitor Orlistat.

Slentrol is intended for intermittent or limited duration use only at this point in time. No long term studies have been done yet. The idea is to use Slentrol as part of the weight management plan. Caregivers learn the normal food portions and dogs learn to stop begging. The effects of Slentrol is gone within days of stopping the drug. Appetite will return and so will the pounds if family members have not learned the lifestyle changes to keep the weight off their dogs.

As with our own weight loss struggles, significant weight (re)gain was noted if caregivers fall off the weight loss plan and return to the pre-Slentrol feeding habits. Without the appetite suppressing effect of Slentrol, the once-fat-but-now-slim dog may easily eat everything that is offered and pack back those pounds.

Your pet’s long-term weight loss success still depends on you and your understanding that, in most cases, you have control over your pet’s diet and exercise. Your dog needs you, not Slentrol, to reach and stay at a healthy weight.

If you still think Slentrol is right for your dog, talk to your family veterinarian. Be prepare with information on the current diet, amount fed, exercise level, etc… to help your family veterinarian assess all weight management options and decide if Slentrol is truly indicated for your dog.

The Human-Animal Bond

"People often ask the veterinarian, 'What would you do if this were your pet?' And I think that's fair - but it's tough. It just really is something that each family has to decide on their own, with their own perspective. Time, finances, family - all those come into play." Dr. Deborah Kochevar, dean of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (as reported by the Boston Globe)

"In other words, realistically, what can or can't you do? Does your pet need substantial hands-on care, but you work long hours away from home? That the quality of life for the pet is inextricably linked to the quality of life of the owner or guardian also plays out in a way that we might not think of: It's important through a medical crisis to be a calming, comforting influence. To even leave room for joy." from Boston Globe article "How Far Should We Go to Save Our Pets?"

Please note, you may need to register for a free account with boston.com to review the complete article.

Local News ... CSULB Feral Cats & Downtown Dog Park

A quick roundup of some local animal-related news from Long Beach, California this past week.
Read about the CSULB feral cats here and plans for the Downtown Dog Park here.

As an aside, the NY Times had a very long and interesting article on the use of psychoactive drugs in pets.

High-Rise Syndrome --- The Other Summer Danger

Heat stroke is usually top on the list of summer dangers to pets. Pets falling out of open windows (or balconies) are also high on that list. It happens so often that it earned the name High-Rise Syndrome.

As summer temperature rises, more people open their windows for some relief from the heat. Those living in condos or apartments are often high above the ground, and may not think twice about leaving the windows open when they are not home. There is less concern about burglary when the windows are 3 or more floors above the street.

Most of these windows do not have screens. There is nothing to keep Fido the Dog or Sylvester the Cat from falling out the windows as they try to follow a bird, butterfly, or even a drifting leaf.

Please do not think it could never happen to your pets. A secured window screen is all it takes to avoid the pain and veterinary expenses associated with high-rise syndrome.

If they are fortunate enough to survive the fall, they may still sustain injuries such as fractured legs, fracture jaw, and/or internal injuries (hernias, lung contusions, internal bleeding).

Some of the injuries are not readily apparent to the untrained eye. Pets who may have suffered high-rise syndrome should be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian.

If you leave the windows open, make sure secured window screens are in place to save you and your pets from needless trauma and expenses.

High-rise syndrome is a preventable accident.

Fireworks and Pets

The first half of 2008 passed and we are looking at July 4th in a few days. Some pets do not handle the festivities well and may need extra care this week. Hopefully, you know how your pets are with fireworks and have already taken precaution and/or started working on their fear earlier in the year. If you have not or did not realize that your pets are terrified of fireworks, here's some last minute information on fireworks phobia.

It may be too late to start desensitizing your pets for this weekend. But it's never too early to start working with them for New Year's celebration --- 2009 will be here before we know it!

Have a safe July 4th.