GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Linked to Scurvy Risk, Veterinary Research Expands to Cats

Researchers at the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle have discovered that weight loss medications like Ozempic are linked to an increased risk of scurvy, marking a new health concern for the widely-used GLP-1 drugs. Data from a poll released by the American Medical Association shows roughly 12% of US adults have used a GLP-1 injectable.

The connection between scurvy and GLP-1 drugs is considered an indirect link. The pills and injectables, including the newly available Wegovy obesity pill, suppress the appetite and slow digestion so that patients eat less. If a patient's diet on GLP-1 drugs doesn't contain enough vital nutrients, fiber, vitamins, or protein, scurvy becomes a risk. Researchers also noticed a pattern in clinical trials of these medications: studies fail to measure what patients are eating.

Scurvy occurs when someone has a severe vitamin C deficiency. Since the body doesn't naturally produce it, the best way to get it is through eating fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is crucial for healthy skin, bones, and connective tissue, such as tendons. Symptoms of scurvy include bleeding gums, bleeding under the skin, and loose teeth. It can also cause extreme fatigue, joint pain, depression, and poor wound healing. If untreated, scurvy is fatal.

This week, study results showed GLP-1 drugs may increase the risk of gout and osteoporosis. More than 3,000 dangerous drug lawsuits involving Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Rybelsus allege manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly failed to warn of the risks of stomach paralysis (gastroparesis), intestinal obstruction, and permanent vision loss. Studies show increased risks of blindness and several gastrointestinal illnesses among patients who used GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic.

Meanwhile, the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is exploring whether GLP-1–based weight loss therapies could help address feline obesity. Veterinary researcher Chen Gilor is leading a pilot study testing a GLP-1 weight management drug called MEOW-1 (ManagEment of OverWeight cats). The study, which began in December 2025, has enrolled approximately 50 obese cats and represents one of the first major efforts to adapt human metabolic drugs into long-acting veterinary weight management therapies.

MEOW-1 is administered through a small subcutaneous implant, slightly larger than a microchip, that slowly releases medication over as long as six months. In the placebo-controlled study, two-thirds of enrolled cats receive the drug and one-third serve as controls. Researchers monitor weight, appetite, and metabolic markers over three months. Owners can elect to extend participation for an additional three months.

In the United States, approximately 600,000 cats are diabetic and nearly 60% of cats are classified as overweight or obese. GLP-1 therapies may be particularly relevant for feline patients because most diabetic cats develop Type 2 diabetes, unlike dogs, which primarily develop Type 1 diabetes. This biological difference makes cats more responsive to insulin-modulating and appetite-regulating therapies.

Some veterinarians urge caution until more safety data are available. Appetite suppression is a major clinical consideration, since cats are prone to hepatic lipidosis if they stop eating. Obesity increases risk for diabetes, orthopedic disease, urinary tract disease, cardiovascular stress, and certain cancers.

Although data are still preliminary, researchers report encouraging early trends. Cats receiving MEOW-1 are showing weight loss, while cats in the placebo group have not experienced similar changes. The research team expects to publish full study results by summer.