Dog - Weight Reduction

Why has my veterinary surgeon prescribed this medicine?

Medicines are available to help reduce weight in dogs. Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe these medicines if your pet is obese or overweight. They must be used as part of an overall weight reduction programme, which includes appropriate dietary changes and exercise. It will take some time for your pet to lose weight. Your veterinary surgeon can advise you on how long the process will take depending on the type and quantity of food given. Low-calorie and appetite suppressant diets are available.

It is important that measures are continued after the treatment course is finished to avoid rebound weight gain.

How do these medicines work?

These medicines block a protein in the intestine that is involved in the absorption of fats in the food ingested. The absorption of fats from the gut is decreased and this change in fat absorption has an appetite suppressant effect.

How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinary surgeon. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY. Your dog’s weight must be monitored regularly during treatment and the dose administered will be adjusted according to weight loss achieved.
• This medicine can be administered with or without food.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
• Wash your hands after handling the medication. This medicine may cause eye irritation. If accidental eye exposure occurs, flush eyes immediately with clean water. In case of accidental ingestion seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or label to the physician.
• DO NOT give your pet more medicine than directed and DO NOT give more often than directed.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.

What if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. DO NOT give your pet two doses at once.

How do I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine out of reach and sight of children. Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature and away from heat and direct sunlight. The product should be used within 3 months of opening the container.

Potential side effects

• Although a drug has potential side effects, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring. Tell your veterinary surgeon if you think your pet may be pregnant or nursing young.
• Before starting a weight control programme, your overweight dog should be examined by a veterinary surgeon to determine if there is an underlying medical condition causing obesity.
• These medicines must not be used in growing animals, animals with liver disease, and animals with other diseases that may cause increased weight gain such as hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism. DO NOT use these medicines in CATS.
• Potential side effects of these medicines include reduced appetite, vomiting, lethargy, anorexia and diarrhoea. Notify your veterinary surgeon if side effects or excessive weight loss appear and remain troublesome.
• Other side effects may occur, if you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinary surgeon.

Possible drug interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinary surgeon what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often your veterinary surgeon may prescribe two different medications, even if a drug interaction may occur. In this case, your veterinary surgeon may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. Although drug interactions may occur, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring.
• Contact your veterinary surgeon if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.