Colorado pet owners and veterinarians are hopeful they may be able to have more time with their furry friends. There’s a clinical trial underway for a drug that could extend a dog’s lifespan.
Loyal
Medical Director of Goodheart Animal Health Center Alex Robb said, “The thesis and the theory behind this is that dogs, as they age, get some metabolic inefficiencies that can lead to ultimately them not living as long. And in particular, in large breed dogs, we see that potentially happen. So, this drug is intended to address that problem.”
Goodheart Animal Health Center is one of several clinics around the country recruiting dogs to take part in the study.
Coloradan Jenna Dockweiler, whose dog is participating in the trial, is hoping for more time with her best friend.
“Obviously, the worst part of dog ownership is losing them, and their lifespan is never long enough,” she said.
That makes every second priceless for Dockweiler, Eddie Linsler, and their 12-year-old Springer Spaniel, Mason.
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“He’s a retired agility and obedience competitor, so he’s got all sorts of titles and things. He loves to hike, he loves to go to breweries, but really his most important job is keeping the couch from floating away and being our buddy,” Dockweiler said.
Their little buddy is now getting the opportunity to make even more memories. Back in December, Mason joined the STAY clinical study run by the San Francisco based biochemical company Loyal to see if a new drug could extend his life. Dockweiler is not only hopeful for Mason, she hopes the trial can help others have more time with their pets.
“So anything we can do to extend both the quality and the quantity of our dogs’ lives, I think it is really important and we’re just happy to be able to help,” Dockweiler said.
Robb explained, “Once they’re enrolled in the study and assessed to be safe to participate, then they take the medication daily, and they would do that for up to the four years they’re included in the study.”
It’s a double-blind placebo study, meaning neither the patients nor anyone administering the drug knows which dog is receiving the actual drug or not.
Robb said, “When the study is complete and that information is revealed, it really tells us truly does this drug work.”
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It’s unclear how much this drug could extend the life of a dog, but Dockweiler said she wished Mason could live forever.
Robb said they’re still looking for participants to take part in the four-year study. It’s possible, with enough data, Loyal could apply for conditional FDA approval by the end of the year.
Dockweiler said if the drug gets FDA approval, they will consider putting their other dogs on the medication.
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