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The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘Ozempic for dogs' may be the next big thing in pet health
With the runaway success of drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro effectively helping humans slim down, researchers and biotech firms are now sniffing out a new frontier: weight-loss drugs for dogs. With up to 60 per cent of dogs in the UK estimated to be overweight or obese, the market for such drugs could be considerable. Okava, a San Francisco-based bio-pharma company which specialises in pet health, is planning to run trials for a drug designed to mimic the effects of Ozempic, with the goal to produce an implant-version for dogs, which lasts six-months at a time. According to estimates on the company's website, the current market for such a product could be worth $10bn, and they hope to have a canine weight-loss drug available as early as 2028 or 2029. In human weight-loss drugs, the active ingredient in Mounjaro is called tirzepatide, and in Ozempic, it is semaglutide. Both work in similar ways, mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone regulates blood sugar and appetite, ultimately leading people to feel fuller longer and reducing food intake. The challenge for biotech firms is to reproduce that effect in dogs – a species well-known for practically limitless gorging. The hope is that an Ozempic-style drug may reduce dogs' begging behaviour, which many owners find it difficult to resist rewarding. Often, lack of appetite in dogs is associated with illness, meaning developing an effective drug that doesn't appear to make pets seem unwell is a fine balance. One such drug, named Slentrol, was launched in 2007, but did not sell well, partly due to how owners' perceived their pets behaviour when on the medication. Okava's planned implant, called OKV-119, contains a GLP-1 mimic called exenatide. Michael Klotsman, Okava's chief executive, said he hoped dogs' behavioural changes from OKV-119 would be quite different from illness-related appetite loss. '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,' he told The Guardian. But not all tails are wagging. Vets have suggested that in most cases, dog owners would be better off avoiding obesity in their dogs through more exercise and by restricting their pets' diets. 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.'
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Measles outbreak in Texas is over, say health officials
Texas health officials announced on Monday the official end of a devastating measles outbreak that sickened 762 people and claimed the lives of two young children. The declaration follows more than 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case in the affected counties, meeting the public health threshold for declaring an outbreak over. The last reported case in Texas was on 1 July, according to state data. Beyond the tragic fatalities, the highly contagious virus led to 100 hospitalisations. Cases were linked to outbreaks in Canada and Mexico, subsequently spreading to other US states. Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford noted the outbreak's unusual nature, stating that before its onset, "most doctors in the state hadn't even seen a case of measles because of how uncommon it has become." She attributed the successful containment to "testing, vaccination, monitoring and education." Ms Shuford further commended the efforts of healthcare professionals, stating: "I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses." Measles, a highly contagious virus, causes rash and respiratory symptoms, potentially leading to severe complications or death. It is prevented by the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, recommended for young children before school. State officials will continue monitoring for new cases. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The size of a surprising body part can predict how and when you will die
An unsuspecting part of your body could reveal when you're going to die, according to research. Several studies have found evidence that suggests a person's neck size relative to the rest of their body is a predictor of various health markers, including cardiovascular risk factors, nutritional status, and even mortality. One study by a team at Boston University found that a large neck, thicker than 17 inches for men and 14 inches for women in circumference – was linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the heart's upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and often rapidly, disrupting the normal flow of blood. This can lead to palpitations, fatigue, and an increased risk of stroke and heart failure. Furthermore, the research team said there is evidence that individuals with high neck circumference have increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea, which is also associated with AFib. The long-term study, involving around 4,000 participants, looked at neck circumference compared to the circumference of a person's waist and their BMI. This is because it takes into account both obesity (excess abdominal fat) and muscle mass, making it potentially a better indicator of overall health risks than BMI or waist circumference alone. A healthy neck circumference to waist circumference ratio is generally considered to be less than 0.5; meaning your waist circumference should be less than twice your neck circumference. AFib is associated with an increased risk of death and can potentially shorten lifespan. A 2018 study found people with Afib had an up to four times increased risk of mortality compared to the general population. While modern treatments have improved outcomes, AFib still carries a significant risk, particularly due to complications like stroke and heart failure. For measurement of neck circumference, participants were instructed to stand straight with the measuring tape around the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Both neck and waist circumference were measured to the nearest quarter inch. Standardized protocols were used to measure height and weight. The researchers found that the correlation between neck circumference and increased risk of AFib persisted after taking into account traditional body fat measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, height and weight. Experts say a larger neck circumference is a proxy for excess upper body subcutaneous fat. This type of fat, particularly in the upper body, can be a major source of circulating free fatty acids in the body. Increased levels of free fatty acids are linked with insulin resistance and an imbalance of lipids in the blood, which can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Researchers from Boston University found that the correlation between neck circumference and increased risk of AFib persisted after taking into account traditional body fat measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, height and weight Another study out of Israel in 2019 presented similar findings. The analysis included 302 patients with the average age being around 62 years. After the participants' height was accounted for, they found a high neck circumference 'significantly correlated with poor long-term outcome'. Some of the complaints they found among the subjects with thicker necks included diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. They found the risk of these ailments was 2.3 times higher for those with larger neck circumferences compared to those with slimmer necks. And a 2022 study by researchers based out of Shanghai found that neck circumference was 'significantly associated' with the risk of future cardiovascular events in middle-aged and elderly populations and was a better predictor in men. The researchers enrolled 1,435 participants aged 50 to 80 years from communities in Shanghai. A high neck circumference was defined as more than 15 inches in men and over 13 inches in women. The researchers employed various methods to explore the association between neck circumference and cardiovascular events. During a mean follow-up period of 7.6 years, 148 cardiovascular events occurred. They found that for every one standard deviation increase in neck circumference, individuals in the study population were 1.45 times more likely to experience a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke compared to those with a lower neck circumference. The researchers conclude that neck circumference is 'a new measurement index that is simple, saves time, has little variability, and can reflect upper-body fat content'.
