Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dirlotapide helps overweight Labrador retrievers lose weight safely
By Gossellin, J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics·2007·Pfizer Ltd, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of dirlotapide for sustained weight loss in overweight Labrador retrievers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of overweight Labrador Retrievers was treated with a medication called dirlotapide to help them lose weight. Over 52 weeks, the dogs showed significant weight loss, averaging more than 1% per week, while also eating less food. The treatment was safe, and after stopping the medication, the dogs maintained their weight by eating slightly less than they had during treatment. This suggests that dirlotapide can be an effective option for helping overweight dogs achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
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Abstract
The effects of dirlotapide on body weight (BW) reduction were investigated in overweight Labradors in two parallel-design studies. Study A involved 42 dogs randomized to 0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg dirlotapide/kg/day orally for 4 weeks. Study B involved 72 dogs randomized to nine treatments: placebo (24 weeks); dirlotapide (24 weeks) followed by placebo (28 weeks); or dirlotapide (52 weeks); on diets containing 5%, 10% or 15% fat. Dirlotapide dose (initially 0.1 mg/kg) was adjusted monthly during 24-week weight-loss and subsequent 28-week weight-stabilization phases. Food was offered above maintenance energy requirements (MERx 1.1-1.2) based on initial BW. Body composition (body fat, lean tissue and bone mineral content) was monitored using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After treatment, dogs that had received dirlotapide for 52 weeks were fed 90% of quantity consumed at week 52. In study A, BW and food intake decreased asymptotically with dose: mean weekly weight loss exceeded 1% at 0.1-0.4 mg/kg. In study B, dirlotapide resulted in significant mean weekly weight loss (>0.8%) and decreased food intake over 24 weeks compared with placebo (P = 0.0001) for all diets. Food restriction minimized post-treatment weight rebound. Dirlotapide administered daily to dogs for up to 52 weeks was clinically safe and resulted in sustained weight reduction.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17567515/