Brownsville/Lomira Small Animal Clinic LLC & International Canine Semen Bank WI

SLENTROL^TM
(Dirlotapide)

Download Owner Information Sheet

Be sure to read this information before your dog receives Slentrol^TM. You should also review it each time your dog receives a prescription for this treatment.

This information is only a summary. It does not replace what your veterinarian has told you. To learn more about Slentrol^TM, talk to your veterinarian.

: WHAT IS SLENTROL^TM?
Slentrol^TM is a prescription medicine to help obese dogs lose weight. It should be used as part of an overall weight loss program which includes diet and exercise.

: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR MY DOG TO LOSE WEIGHT?
Obesity in dogs is an important medical condition with serious health consequences. Dogs that are obese have more difficulty with their joints (arthritis), breathing and heart problems. They also are more likely than normal weight dogs to get infections on their skin and to have problems with anesthesia and surgery.

Dogs that are obese don’t run and play as much as dogs who carry less extra weight. They seem to have less fun than other dogs because of this. They often have trouble going up stairs, getting into cars and just simply walking down the street.

Managing obesity in your dog is not a matter of “looking good” it’s about managing serious health consequences. Controlling obesity can prevent some serious health consequences and improve your dog’s quality of life.

: HOW DOES SLENTROL^TM WORK?
Slentrol^TM is a medicine called an MTP inhibitor. It works by preventing some of the fat your dog eats from being absorbed into the body. When that happens a message is sent to your dog’s brain that tells him he’s full. In fact, one of the first things you’ll notice is that your dog won’t want to eat as much as before. The weight loss happens because your dog is eating less food.

: HOW IS SLENTROL^TM GIVEN TO MY DOG?
A veterinarian must prescribe Slentrol^TM. It should not be available to you in any other way. Slentrol^TM is available only as clear oil based liquid and comes with an easy-to-use syringe. When giving Slentrol^TM at home, you can give it on a healthy treat, with a small amount of food, or directly in your dog’s mouth. You should always use the syringe that comes with Slentrol^TM. The syringes have been made to help you give the right dose to your dog. The syringes are also made to be used with an oil based liquid. Using other syringes may cause you to give the wrong dose and may react with the liquid medication.

The dose of Slentrol^TM is based on your dog’s current weight, and how fast or slowly your dog loses weight. There are two phases with Slentrol^TM treatment, a Weight Loss phase and a Weight Management phase. Your veterinarian will determine the right dose for your dog every month after a weigh-in. You should expect that the dose will change after some visits and not at others. In the Weight Loss phase the goal is to have your dog lose enough pounds to reach a desired weight. Your dog won’t want to eat as much food and that’s what will cause the weight loss. You won’t have to worry so much about how much food is in the bowl because s/he probably won’t eat it all. During the Weight Management phase the goal is to find out how many calories your dog needs to maintain the desired weight. You’ll be asked by your veterinarian to measure how much your dog eats during this time. Later on after you stop giving Slentrol^TM this will be the amount of food you give to your dog. Only through diet and exercise can you help him/her stay at the healthier weight long term.

Always follow the directions and give this treatment the right way. If you have any questions about giving Slentrol^TM to your dog, ask your veterinarian.

: WHEN SHOULD SLENTROL^TM BE USED IN DOGS?
Many dog owners don’t know their dogs are overweight or obese. In fact some information suggests that as many as 17 million dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Experts tell us that dogs 20% or more over their ideal weight are obese and that obesity in dogs is an important medical condition that has serious health consequences. If your veterinarian determines that your dog is obese, Slentrol^TM may be used as part of an overall weight loss program that includes diet and exercise.

: WILL SLENTROL^TM HELP MY DOG?
Most dogs will lose weight when Slentrol^TM is used. You can expect that your dog will lose weight gradually. Some dogs lose weight quickly and others lose weight very slowly. Your veterinarian will keep track of how much weight your dog is losing and adjust the dose of Slentrol^TM to help reach the desired weight for your dog.Weight loss experts have given guidelines for what is a safe and effective amount of weight for dogs to lose over a period of time. Your veterinarian understands these guidelines and will help you follow them.

Slentrol^TM was specifically designed so that the dose could easily be adjusted for your dog, that’s why it’s important to visit your veterinarian as often as directed. You should not adjust the amount of Slentrol^TM you give your dog without instructions from your veterinarian.

: HOW DO I KNOW THE IDEAL BODY WEIGHT OF MY DOG?
Dogs come in different sizes and shapes so it’s hard to put ideal dog weights on a chart. Your veterinarian can work with you to decide what the desired target is for your dog’s weight loss program. Some veterinarians will prefer to target a specific weight, others will use a percentage of body weight or a body condition score (BCS). Some experts use a dog’s body weight at 1 to 2 years of age a guide for ideal weight. Regardless of the weight loss program or target used, any weight loss in an obese dog is considered good.

: DO I HAVE TO CHANGE MY DOG’S DIET WHILE RECEIVING SLENTROL^TM? WHAT ABOUT TREATS?
You don’t have to change your dog’s diet as long as you are using a nutritionally complete and balanced commercial maintenance diet. Your veterinarian can help you find out if the food you’re using fits this description. Some home-made diets may not have enough vitamins, especially vitamin E so those diets are not recommended. In addition some restriction diets may not be suitable to offer during the weight loss phase. As with any weight loss program only healthy treats should be given to your dog and in reasonable amounts.

: WHEN SHOULD I FEED MY DOG AND GIVE SLENTROL^TM?
Slentrol^TM may be given with or without a meal, but should not be mixed in with a full meal because your dog may not eat all of it. Slentrol^TM may be given in the morning or evening, whichever is best for you and your dog. Pick a schedule so that you can be sure to give the medication once every 24 hours.

: IS THERE ANY FOLLOW-UP I NEED TO DO?
It is important that you follow your veterinarian’s instructions for monthly weigh-ins because the dose of Slentrol^TM will be based on your dog’s rate of weight loss. This will also allow you and your veterinarian to review your dog’s diet and exercise progress and make any necessary adjustments. Some veterinarians may also recommend blood tests during the course of the weight loss program. Be sure to follow these directions as well.

: HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO GIVE SLENTROL^TM TO MY DOG?
You and your veterinarian will decide your dog’s desired weight. Regular monthly monitoring will help you to know when this goal is reached. Once the desired weight has been reached you will keep your dog on Slentrol^TM while you learn how to keep his/her weight at that goal. This phase, called the Weight Management phase is very important. It will help you know how much food and exercise your dog needs daily in order to stay at a healthier weight. While Slentrol^TM is a very effective tool to help you manage your dog’s obesity, keeping your dog healthy over time will depend on finding and sticking to the right balance of diet and exercise.

: WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I STOP GIVING MY DOG SLENTROL^TM?
Slentrol^TM works only while it is being given to your dog. Once you stop Slentrol^TM your dog’s appetite will return to normal within a day or two. Some dogs may even seem hungrier just after they stop getting Slentrol^TM than they did before. Slentrol^TM, or any other method of weight loss, is not a permanent cure for obesity. That’s why it’s important to stick with the program that you develop while using Slentrol^TM in the Weight Management phase.When you are finished with the Weight Management phase you should know how much food your dog needs to maintain his/her desired weight. More often than not this will mean that you will feed your dog a smaller portion of food than s/he used to eat. This is one of the main goals of the program that will help you and your dog be successful in maintaining his/her desired weight in the long run. If you return to the habits that allowed your dog to become obese your dog will gain weight again. A healthier lifestyle includes, but is not limited to, providing your dog a nutritionally-balanced diet, offering only healthy low calorie treats and ensuring that your pet receives enough exercise on a daily basis. Your veterinarian is the best person to help you develop a healthier lifestyle for your dog.

: DOES SLENTROL^TM HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?
Slentrol^TM is generally well tolerated, however side effects have been reported. The most common side effect is vomiting, especially during the first month of treatment and when the dose is increased. Dogs that vomit from Slentrol^TM usually feel good in every other way. Dogs that vomit from Slentrol^TM typically only vomit once or twice and the vomiting goes away on its own while the dog is still taking the medication. Ask your veterinarian about how to manage this if vomiting is a problem for your dog. Some dogs may seem tired, have diarrhea, or lose their appetite completely but these side effects are less likely. You should contact your veterinarian if any of these signs persist for more than 2 days.

Other side effects can include increases in your dog’s liver enzymes. These changes can only be found through blood testing. When caused by Slentrol^TM these liver enzyme increases are temporary and most often return to normal on their own while the dog is taking Slentrol^TM. Some veterinarians may choose to monitor these enzymes while your dog is on Slentrol^TM. Your veterinarian can discuss these blood tests with you.

Call your veterinarian if you notice any unexpected changes in your pet while taking Slentrol.^TM

: CAN SLENTROL^TM BE USED FOR ALL DOGS WHO ARE OBESE?
Before any dog is started on therapy with Slentrol^TM, it is important to try to find out if there are any medical causes of the obesity. While most dogs become obese because they eat too much and exercise too little, some dogs become obese because of another problem like a hormone disorder. If your dog has another problem your veterinarian will want to manage it before starting a weight loss program that includes Slentrol^TM. There are some medicines that your dog shouldn’t take while on Slentrol^TM so be sure to tell your veterinarian about any products you give your dog including prescription and over-the-counter medications.

: WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE SLENTROL^TM? Slentrol^TM is not for use in dogs taking long-term corticosteroids or dogs with liver disease. Slentrol^TM should not be given to young growing dogs, pregnant dogs, or dogs used for breeding. Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your dog is pregnant or nursing, or if you are planning on breeding your dog. Slentrol^TM is not for use in cats as serious liver issues could develop. Slentrol^TM is not for use by humans under any circumstances.

: WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT SLENTROL^TM?
Slentrol^TM is not a cure for obesity. Slentrol^TM should be part of an overall weight loss program that includes diet and exercise. Successful long-term weight management requires behavior changes that last a lifetime. Monitoring your dog’s progress is important.

: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I MISS A DOSE? GIVE TOO MUCH? WHEN DO I RE-DOSE?
You should call your veterinarian if you miss a dose or change the dose from what was recommended.

: HOW SHOULD SLENTROL^TM BE STORED?
Slentrol^TM should be kept in the original container at room temperature (59°-86° F). Do not get water in the bottle of Slentrol^TM as it may cause discoloration and allow bacteria to grow. Keep the syringe dry so that you don’t get water in the bottle.

: NOTE:

Slentrol^TM is for dogs only
Slentrol^TM must be prescribed by a veterinarian
Keep out of reach of children