‘Ozempic for dogs’ could be the next big thing in pet health coming soon
It's not just us humans conscious about trying to shift that winter tire, as apparently, our pets could soon be riding the Ozempic train to those unrealistic summer body ideals.
There continues to be a massive debate about the use of semaglutide injections and how the so-called skinny jabs can help us lose weight. Typically prescribed to deal with type 2 diabetes, these medications have also been dished out by some medical professionals to tackle obesity. The problem is, even though they're only supposed to be prescribed by experts, they've become readily available online.
After President Donald Trump vowed to slash prescription drug prices by up to 80%, there has been a recent development where Novo Nordisk has halved its prices.
Even as some of us spend hundreds of dollars a month on skinny jabs, some could soon be paying even more by adding their pets to a plan.
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As the likes of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro soar in popularity and fluctuate in price, could we soon be injecting our furry friends with Ozempup, Wag-ovy, and Man'sbestfriendjaro?
With people continuing to hype potential beneficial side effects and potential drawbacks in equal measure, the latest innovation could see ‘Ozempic’ being offered to overweight dogs.
Breeds like pugs, beagles, and labradors are notorious for having seemingly bottomless stomachs, but according to the Daily Mail, keeping their weight in check could soon be easier than ever.
The outlet explains how a company called Okava is involved in a trial, with biotech firm Vivani Medical using 'GLP-1 mimics' to create a dog version of the glucagon-like peptide-1s that help humans lose weight.
An implant that's around the size of a standard tracking chip would be placed beneath the skin and release a steady supply of a GLP-1 mimic called OKV-119. The plan is to deliver implants every six months, with OKV-119 already being declared safe in cats.
If successful, the doggy Ozempic could be on the market as early as 2028.
Considering some vets claim obesity in dogs is at a 'crisis' level as they suffer with the same arthritis and heart conditions that overweight humans do, the trial couldn't come at a better time.
The University of Liverpool's Professor Alex German explained: "Having an alternative approach, such as drugs, could be useful for clinicians on the ground to have an extra option."
The dog obesity expert warns that while feeding habits and training are vital to maintaining a healthy weight in dogs, obesity in animals is a much more complex issue.
Whereas current methods involve putting dogs on a 'therapeutic diet' to restrict calorie intake, German reiterates it's a "massive years-long, often life-long challenge" that won't work for every pooch: "There's a massive genetic component that drives the animal to be hungry all the time."
Ironically, this isn't the first time we've been here. In 2007, a weight-loss drug for dogs called Slentrol was released and aimed to suppress their appetites. It was later discontinued due to complaints that pets didn't seem as happy.
Others aren't convinced, with the University of Florida's Dr. Helen Zomer concluding: "We don't have definitive answers whether it would be a good solution or potential consequences.
"Controlled caloric intake through balanced diets and physical activity remains the best solution right now."