TRIAD study – the dog aging project.
Study details.
Rapamycin, a medication that affects both the immune system and metabolism, has been shown to increase the lifespan of mice. The primary purpose of this project is to determine whether rapamycin increases the lifespan of companion dogs.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs must have negative heartworm tests, and documented proof of consistent heartworm preventive for the prior six months at the time of enrollment in areas where heartworm infections are common. Owners in low-risk areas must be willing to initiate heartworm preventive at their own cost. Owners must be willing to continue consistent heartworm preventive
- Dogs must be currently vaccinated according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) standard with documentation of vaccination history
- Owners must be willing to bring their dogs to the neurology or internal medicine service of one of the participating veterinary clinical sites for one screening / baseline appointment, and then two scheduled appointments per year for three years. After that, owners must be willing to bring their dogs to their primary care veterinarians once per year for collection of diagnostic samples
- Owners must agree to administer study medications as directed, to report any problems with medications or with their dogs, to use activity monitoring devices with their dogs at home as directed, and to complete periodic questionnaires about their dogs
- Owners must agree not to give their dogs any supplements or nutraceuticals that are intended to extend lifespan
Exclusion criteria:
- Dogs with known or identified systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, kidney disease, liver disease, GI disease, heart disease, lung disease, neurologic disease, cancer, chronic systemic infection, or high blood pressure will be ineligible for participation
- Dogs who require medications will generally be ineligible for participation; certain select medications are permitted
Duration:
- Seven visits over three years
Locations and contacts:
- Midtown, NY: Dr. Sarah Stephan at 212.767.0099
- Overland Park, KS: Dr. Carmen Yeamans-McGee at 913.642.9563
- North Dallas, TX: Dr. Barbara Lindsay at 972.820.7099
- Sandy Springs, GA: Dr. Jennifer Parkes at 404.459.0903
Covered costs.
All costs associated with the study are covered by the sponsor.
