Obesity pill for dogs

Updated 21.16 Thu Mar 01 2007

Keywords: pills, Obesity, dogs

The world's first weight loss drug for dogs has been launched to help overweight canines.

Yarvitan is added to the dog's food to reduce the amount of fat being absorbed into the stomach - helping it to lose weight.

"We are going to rely on diet and exercise and hopefully a change in owner habits and so-on, to continue the process" - Grant Petrie

Obesity in dogs can cause massive amounts of pain and even broken bones, as they are unable to hold their own bodyweight.

Dog owner Cassie says the drug has been a great help to her pet: "She was 43 kilos and she's gone down to 35 kilos so that's 8 kilos she's lost over about three months.

"It's nice for us to see her like it, therefore we're going to keep it up, because obviously we want her to be healthy and happy."

The drug is not meant as a replacement for a healthy diet and regular walks but instead is meant to kick-start the dog into action.

Vet Grant Petrie says Yarvitan acts as a third dimension: "The treatment is only for a two month period and at the end of that we are going to rely on diet and exercise and hopefully a change in owner habits and so on, to continue the process.

The obesity drug can only be prescribed by a vet and can not be bought over the counter.