WATERLOO - The war on obesity has just expanded to include man's best friend.

Slentrol, a drug that aims to curb an increasing trend toward canine obesity, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The drug, manufactured by Pfizer, will be available this spring.

The new doggy diet pill works by blocking absorption of lipoproteins (fats) into the bloodstream and seems to function as somewhat of an appetite suppressant by making the dog feel full.

Dr. Patrick Broshar, a veterinarian at Logan Animal Hospital Inc., estimates that about 30 to 40 percent of the dogs he sees are overweight or obese. Dr. Jim Taylor of Taylor Veterinary Hospital in Cedar Falls, also said he sees too many pudgy pooches.

"We have a problem, and we're doing it to our own dogs," he said.

Taylor partly blames advertisers for the obesity trend.

"The message in ads on TV is 'If you don't feed your pet treats, you're a bad pet owner.'"

Not true, he said. High-calorie treats are just as bad for dogs as they are for humans. And so is obesity, which can cause diabetes and cardiovascular and joint problems in dogs.

Some dog breeds need a little more waistline attention than others. Breeds prone to obesity include Labrador retrievers, beagles, basset hounds, dachshunds, cocker spaniels and Shetland sheepdogs.

Also, said Dr. Brad Kneeland of Pawsitive Pet Care, owners often want to plump up what may look like a frail pup.

"Dogs that look thin are actually healthy," he said.

A dog with an expanding middle is unhealthy, veterinarians say, and a responsible owner will heed the call.

But before resorting to medication, owners should try dedication.

"The first step is a good faith effort to get the weight off. I'd much rather do it with diet than medication," Brosher said.

All the veterinarians were concerned that putting a dog on diet medication might cause owners to continue to overfeed Fido, which could further damage a canine's health.

"If (Slentrol) blocks fat, overeating is going to lead to too much protein," said Broshar.

Also, as with drug, there is the possibility of side effects. The main side effects of Slentrol are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, constipation and dehydration, and its safety has not been evaluated beyond one year of use.

The veterinarians, as well as information provided by Pfizer, emphasized that the drug is not a quick fix, but should be used as an adjunct therapy along with diet and exercise.

"It's really important for people to realize that there's more to it than just one pill," Kneeland said.

For owners hesitant to administer the pooch pudge pill, prescription and commercial diet foods also are available for overweight or obese dogs.

Ultimately, Taylor said, owner responsibility is vital to canine weight control.

He said owners can unintentionally add calories by feeding their dogs table scraps, chews or treats, and suggested substituting raw veggies for high-calorie treats.

Kneeland added that a small square of cheese for a 10-pound dog is the caloric equivalent of a Big Mac for the average human.

Contact Laura Grevas at (319) 291-1482 or laura.grevas@wcfcourier.com.

Pudge patrol

Local veterinarians offer the following suggestions for doggy weight control

- Cut back on the kibble in the food bowl.

- Try diet dog food.

- Provide opportunities for prolonged exercise several times a week.

- Find Fido a friend to play with - dogs can exercise each other.

- Substitute raw fruits and veggies for doggy treats.

- Carefully monitor other food intake, such as table scraps.