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CANINE OBESITY AND SLENTROL - THE FACTS

Twenty-five to forty percent of American dogs are overweight or obese. Obesity affects the overall health and well-being of dogs and has been associated with several serious health problems including: osteoarthritis, heart disease, respiratory disease, heat or exercise intolerance, insulin resistance/diabetes, decreased immune system, increased surgical and anesthetic risk, and cruciate ligament rupture.

Research shows that only 8% of owners of overweight dogs succeeded in reducing their dog’s weight. Top three challenges to weight loss reported by owners include begging for food, other people feeding dog, and no time to exercise their dog.

Owners of dogs losing 10% or more of their body weight noticed the following benefits: increase in activity level, excitement when greeting owner, increased willingness to play, increase in overall happiness, increased involvement with family, increased energy level, and increased ability to get up on their own.

Slentrol (dirlotapide) is a Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP) inhibitor. MTP is found in the small intestinal cells (enterocytes); its function is to help form digested lipids into chylomicrons, which are then absorbed into circulation. Slentrol partially inhibits MTP, preventing some of the lipids from being packaged for absorption. The presence of increased lipid accumulations in the small intestine cells (enterocytes) causes the release of a hormone that acts as a satiety signal in the hypothalamus. As a result, the dog eats less at each meal.

With Slentrol, about 90% of weight loss is due to reduced appetite, with the remaining 10% due to reduced lipid absorption. In a four month weight loss study with obese dogs, 97.8% of dogs that completed the study lost weight. Mean weight loss was 11.8% with a maximum body weight loss of 29.5%. One dog lost no weight and two dogs gained weight to a maximum of 1.8%.

Slentrol is safe for use in adult dogs. No fatalities or serious reactions were reported at elevated doses or in studies up to 12 months at labeled dose. Slentrol has been used safely with most commonly prescribed veterinary medications, including NSAIDS, antibiotics, parasiticides, and vaccines. Slentrol is not a stimulant and does not affect the central nervous system. Common adverse side effects can include vomiting (25%), diarrhea, lethargy and anorexia. When vomiting did occur, it usually lasted for only one day and resolved without medical treatment. If any clinical signs persist for more than two days, the dog should be re-evaluated. A small percentage (9.9%) of dogs had mild to moderate elevated liver enzyme values not associated with abnormal clinical signs, decreased as treatment continued, and returned to baseline when treatment was discontinued. No histopathological evidence of liver damage was seen at up to ten times maximum dosage.

Slentrol SHOULD NOT BE USED in cats, dogs receiving long term corticosteroids, or dogs with liver disease. SLENTROL IS NOT FOR USE IN HUMANS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Slentrol is metabolized differently in people and can result in severe abdominal pain and distention,

severe diarrhea and flatulence, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Slentrol is forty times more selective for MTP in dogs than in humans.

Based upon individual history and physical examinations, some blood work may be recommended such as CBC and Chemistry and Thyroid to screen for underlying hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.

WEIGHT LOSS PHASE:

  • Goal is to achieve desired weight at a safe rate of 0.1% per day or 3% per month

  • Continue until desired weight is achieved

  • Monthly weigh-ins to chart progress and to modify dose as needed

  • Feed a nutritionally complete diet

  • Emphasize adequate levels of exercise

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PHASE:

  • Goal is to stabilize at desired weight (within 5%)

  • This phase is designed to help client determine how much food to give their dog

  • Encourage healthier feeding and exercise habits

  • Monthly weigh-ins and dose adjustments continue

  • Recommended for a minimum of 3 months to stabilize desired weight

POST-TREATMENT AFTER SLENTROL IS DISCONTINUED:

  • Goal is to maintain desired weight through diet and exercise

  • Advise owners that appetite will increase after cessation of therapy

  • Lifestyle adjustments concerning food intake and energy output are essential to maintain weight loss

  • Feed appropriate portions of a complete and balanced diet

  • Avoid excessive treats and high-calorie foods

  • Regular exercise and routine weight re-evaluations

Slentrol is a once daily oral solution given directly into the mouth, with a small amount of food, or on a healthy treat. Starting dose is 0.01ml/kg once daily for the first two weeks, then increase to 0.02ml/kg. Any needed dosing adjustments are made based upon monthly weigh-ins. Do not exceed maximum daily dosage of 0.2ml/kg.

Should we suspect that this drug is not being given to your dog and may be abused by a person in the household, Claws and Paws Veterinary Hospital® reserves the right to refuse to continue to prescribe Slentrol for your dog.

SLENTROL IS NOT A CURE FOR OBESITY. IT IS DESIGNED TO BE A PART OF AN OVERALL WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INCORPORATING A COMPLETE AND BALANCED NUTRITIONAL DIET WITH PHYSICAL EXERCISE.

Note: This article is provided by Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® for informational purposes only.