Pfizer has received FDA approval and veterinary support for a weight-loss pill that we hope you never use. The medication is Slentrol (dirlotapide).
During the period dogs were enrolled in the study and taking this medication, individual dogs developed:
• seizures,
• pancreatitis,
• liver disease,
• constipation,
• corneal ulcers,
• behavior change with inappropriate urination and defecation, and
• excess drinking and urinating (polyuria and polydipsia) which may indicate kidney or adrenal malfunction.
Within one week of stopping the medication a 6-year-old Chihuahua died.
The small print on the back of the Slentrol label acknowledges:
• 25% of dogs in the study had episodes of vomiting.
• 12% had episodes of diarrhea.
• 8% had episodes of anorexia.
There was an increase in drooling, which is a dog’s way of showing it’s upset to its stomach.
While we recognize that obesity is a health problem, we don’t find a medication associated with these health problems is something we can recommend. If the dogs used in the study were ill when the study began and developed these problems coincidentally, we question the validity of results found using sick dogs. If the dogs weren’t sick when the study began but developed the problems because of Slentrol, it certainly is a medication to avoid. Aren’t there much safer, less expensive ways to lose weight?
Based on information available on Slentrol:
1. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to Chihuahuas.
2. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to seizures, such as the Border Collie, Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Yorkie, Doxy, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Lab—to name only a few of the breeds genetically prone to develop seizures.
3. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to liver disease or hyperlipidemia-induced liver disease, including the Bedlington Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Skye Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, and Shetland Sheepdog—to name only a few of the breeds genetically prone to develop liver disease.
4. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to constipation, which is especially common in senior dogs, and dogs with bone or joint disease, hip dysplasia, knee problems or arthritis.
5. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to corneal ulcers, including the Boxer, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, Corgi, English Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, and Shih Tzu—to name only a few of the breeds genetically prone to develop corneal ulcers.
6. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to behavior problems, including separation anxiety, aggression: obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and hallucinations.
7. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to pancreatitis, such as the Miniature Schnauzer, Silky Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.
8. We question the wisdom of giving this medication to dogs prone to kidney or adrenal disease, including the Beagle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Poodle, Doberman Pinscher, Lhasa Apso, Malamute, Samoyed, Shih Tzu, Cairn Terrier, and Westie—to name only a few of the breeds genetically prone to develop kidney or adrenal disease.
The Motives Behind Selling Potentially Dangerous Drugs
Shouldn’t we suspect that veterinary clinics or internet pharmacies promoting Slentrol for weight loss are more interested in making money from your pet’s weight problem than in promoting the health of your pet? Clinics and internet pharmacies that market Slentrol remind me of the school principals that allow vending machines selling Coke because, after all, Coke is a legal product. We can do better for our children in school, and we can do better for our dogs.
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