FDA-Approved Drug Can Prolong a Dog's Healthy Years

The average life expectancy of a dog depends on its specific breed and weight; however, rarely do dogs live longer than 15 years. Fortunately, scientists at the University of Washington are working on a project that aims to prolong the number of healthy years in a dog’s life by 2 to 5 years, or more.

Thanks to geroscience, a field that studies the relationship between the biology of aging and age-related disease, scientists can now slow aging and extend the healthy lifespan of small mammals. Molecular processes, which can be modified by genetic and environmental factors, are the main causes of aging.

Dietary, or caloric, restriction is one method that is currently used to extend the lifespan of laboratory organisms, from single cell organisms to small rodents. On the other hand, Rapamycin, an FDA approved drug, has the capacity to prolong life in humans and some animals and delay several age-associated diseases, the most obvious of which has been age-related cardiovascular illness. Studies found that cognitive and immune decline, along with cancer have been postponed in lab mice.

The Dog Aging Project is the first large-scale comprehensive study that analyzes aging in dogs. This study follows individual dogs throughout their lives in order to better understand the parameters that make some dogs age and develop chronic diseases, such as cancer, kidney failure and dementia, while others do not. Case studies in humans have uncovered much data regarding chronic diseases, however, these studies take decades longer to perform.The Dog Aging Project promises results in 10 years (5 years, if fully funded), which will be compared to data from human studies. Intervention trials using rapamycin in middle-aged dogs are currently taking place in Seattle, WA. At least 32 dogs over the age of 6 years are to receive low-doses of the drug over the course of 10 weeks. Changes in blood chemistry, the microbiome, and cardiac function will be monitored.

High doses of rapamycin have adverse effects, such as immune suppression and delayed wound healing, however, the aims of the trial (extending longevity) only require low doses of the drug, thus mitigating the potential of these effects. It is further noted that at the doses used in the trials, mild effects of the drug are rare.

Phase II of the trial hopes to enroll a second cohort of middle-aged dogs from around the United States into a longer-term study, using low-dosage rapamycin. Cognitive and heart function, immunity and cancer incidence will be monitored in this cohort.

The Dog Aging Project is currently accepting donations to help with veterinary costs, support recruiting dogs into the study, carry out the exams and procedures, clinical and molecular assays, and bioinformatics analysis of the collected data. Furthermore, if an owner wishes to have their dog participate in Phase II trials, an application is available here.