Researchers In Washington Find A Pill That Can Add Years To Your Dog’s Life

A family dog’s death can be devastating. But, consider a simple drug that might lengthen the life of your dog by three years, if not longer.

Researchers at the University of Washington believe they have discovered a medicine that could extend the life of man’s best friend by many years. Rapamycin is the name of the drug. According to the researchers, early testing in rats, mice, and dogs reveals that the medicine slows the aging process.

Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, the co-founder of the Dog Aging Project at the University of Washington, explained, “So you can take an old heart or an old immune system and treat a mouse with rapamycin for eight weeks and see that function improve.”

Dr. Kaeberlein is also a dog owner. He’s now in charge of a huge research project involving approximately 600 dogs from all over the country.

Kevin Medved has enlisted the help of his dog Stormy in the research. He’s not sure if his chocolate Labrador puppy will get a placebo or the real thing.

The Dog Aging Project has undertaken a bigger investigation to find out how dogs age, why some dogs get dementia, and other topics, in addition to the rapamycin study. You may learn more about the study and submit a nomination for your dog here. Dogs of all types and ages are welcome to attend.

The rapamycin study, according to the researchers, could have ramifications for human longevity as well. That’s because dogs age similarly to people in some ways, suffering from many of the same ailments.

Rapamycin has previously been licensed for use in humans by the Food and Drug Administration. It’s an anti-rejection medication for organ transplant recipients.