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Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Doggy 'Mounjaro' could be the next solution for treating pudgy pets
A new form of pet health care may be on the horizon as scientists sniff around weight loss drugs for dogs. With many people wanting to lose weight across the globe, drugs such as Mounjaro have become a household name. Helping people manage their weight, those on a health kick along with the medication are able to learn how to eat healthier and have a better lifestyle. Following on from their apparent success, researchers are now turning their view to a different form of clientele that they believe may be in need of a detox. While many of us see our four-legged friends as perfect no matter how they look, it turns out that up to 60 per cent of dogs in the UK are classed as obese or overweight. With this startling stat, some scientists feel like there is room in the market for weight loss drugs for dogs. And it may not be too far on the horizon. San Francisco-based bio-phama company Okava have set their sites on the new frontier of pet health and are planning to run trials of a drug that will mimic the effects of medications like Ozempic. The end goal is to create an implant version of the drug for dogs, which will last for six months at a time. Ozempic is not marketed as a weight loss drug but one to prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients to help manage their condition by controlling blood sugar levels alongside other medications and lifestyle changes. However, it has gained popularity and attention for its potential role in weight loss, which can be a side effect of the drug's appetite-controlling abilities. With hopes of have the canine weight loss drug available as early as 2028 or 2029, the US company estimates the current market for this product could be worth up to $10billion. In terms of the human version, the drugs mimic a natural hormone called GLP-1 which regulates blood sugar and appetite. In Mounjaro is active ingredient is called tirzepatide, whereas Ozempic uses semaglutide. The ultimate goal of these ingredients is to leave users feeling fuller for longer, which will end up reducing their overall food intake. As scientists try to mimic this hormone for dogs, it is hoped that the drug will help reduce the begging behaviour of our furry pals, which many owners find hard to resist. However, researchers will need to make sure they find the right balance with the drug as a lack of appetite in our canine companions is normally associated with being unwell. This isn't the first weight loss drug that has been created for pets, as Slentrol was released in 2007. However, this creation didn't end up selling well, partly due to owners believing their pets seemed ill while on the medication. However, Okava's chief executive Michael Klotsman hopes that any behavioural changes in dogs while using their drug will be quite different. The planned implant by Okava has been named OKV-119 and will contain a GLP-1 mimic called exenatide. Michael told The Guardian: "What owners should expect to see is their pet eating appropriate portions without the previous food obsession – they'll still eat regularly and show interest in meals, just without the excessive begging, scavenging or gulping behaviour." However, not everyone is fully on board with the idea. Many vets are instead advising that overweight dogs, in most cases, are able to lose the extra pounds through more exercise and a restricted diet Caroline Allen, chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA told The Independent: "A healthy diet and exercise is the best way to keep our pets happy and well but we understand that owners can sometimes struggle to manage their pets' weight. "There is currently little information about proposed weight-loss implants or vaccinations for animals, and owners shouldn't rely on them becoming available. "Before resorting to these sorts of interventions, owners should seek help from their vet about how to reduce their pet's weight with a good diet and providing lots of opportunities to exercise and play in ways that their pet will enjoy." She added: "It may be that weight loss jabs or implants may have a role to play in future in very limited circumstances where animals are clinically unwell, but the best thing we can do is set healthy habits from the start so our pets can live the best life possible." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
The Courier
a day ago
- The Courier
'Life-changing' surgery sought for Alyth war hero who has had Parkinson's for a decade
A fundraiser has been launched for a Tayside war hero who has been battling Parkinson's disease for the past decade. Ewan Fleming, 66, from Alyth, served 34 years in the Parachute Regiment of the British Army. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2015, his condition has progressively worsened. Several fundraising efforts have been launched to help Ewan undergo a medical procedure that could restore some of his independence. Ewan joined the armed forces in 1982 and appeared as a young recruit in the BBC documentary The Paras. During his career, he completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a Sergeant Major at the age of 55. A year later, he began to notice his left thumb shaking – an early symptom of Parkinson's. 'As the condition developed, I had to give up my work as an electrician after leaving the Army,' he said. 'I had a fantastic time in the army and I would do it all again tomorrow if I could.' Ewan now serves as chairperson of the Tayside Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association, a Dundee-based social group for veterans. The group's secretary, and Ewan's long-time friend from the Army, Eddie Geissler, has organised one of the fundraising campaigns. Eddie said: 'He's someone who has spent his life standing up for others, never asking for anything in return. 'Now, as he faces the toughest fight of his life, we have the chance – and the duty – to stand up for him.' Ewan needs a procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation, which costs £85,000. His Parkinson's is advancing so quickly that he cannot afford to wait for treatment through the NHS. More than £11,000 has already been raised through a GoFundMe page, as well as donations from SSAFA and Support Our Paras, two armed forces charities. 'It's a huge operation. It's all to do with the brain,' Ewan said. 'They cut your skull open, drill two holes in it, put two probes in it, followed by a wire and a battery pack which gets put on your chest. 'It means if I start shaking really bad in my arms – which I often do – it'll cut that out. 'It'll just be a lot better for me, and I won't have to take so many pills.' Once the fundraising goal is met, Ewan will be able to travel to London next year for the surgery. 'The operation would be absolutely life-changing,' he added. 'I might be able to drive again, might be able to walk without help, just be able to do normal things again. 'It's been truly amazing the help and support from people I don't even know! 'It brings a smile to my face. 'Especially in this age when people are so poor, and someone gives me even £10 – it means so much.' You can support the fundraising appeal here.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Health bosses spend more than £20m on Capital Investment programme
Ambitious capital programme unveiled by NHS Ayrshire and Arran An ambitious Capital Investment Programme of more than £20 million has been unveiled by NHS Ayrshire & Arran for 2025-26. The Core Capital Allocation came to £9.156m, while £1m went towards Foxgrove, the Irvine-based National Secure Inpatient Service. Some £1.6 million went to the Whole System Estates Plan and £441,000 to the National Lab Information Management System, while £200,000 went to the National Treatment Centre and £266,000 to Plant De-carbonisation Slippage. A total of £7.47m went towards a Business Continuity Plan and £1.075m to Sustainability. Funding for Foxgrove and the National Treatment Centre is reimbursed based upon actual expenditure. The National Labs Information System is a national programme. The Building for Better Care and Fleet Decarbonisation funding was brokered from funding in previous years and deferred until 2025-26. The Scottish Government requested new bids for electric vehicle infrastructure and decarbonisation proposals in April and May 2025. The Scottish Government allocated £600,000 to NHS Ayrshire & Arran in 2025-26 for the purposes of installing EV charging infrastructure. The budget is to be spent on those projects included in the bid submitted to Scottish Government. The board are to spend the funding on the back office software costs listed in the bid and the remainder can be spent on the projects in the bid that the Health Board thinks are most appropriate (given that they are not providing funding for the full amount in the bid at this point and as long as the costs are capital. Some £475,000 was allocated to the board in 2025-26 for the purposes of installing LED lighting at Arran War Memorial Hospital and creating decarbonisation pathways for Ayr Hospital and Ayrshire Central Hospital. The budget is to be spent on these projects (estimated costs) and if there are monies unspent from these projects it may be set against some of the other projects in the bid. The Scottish Government require a report at the end of the financial year confirming that funds have been spent within that period.
