It’s a dog’s life … but one pill can make it last longer! Medications can prolong a puppy’s life expectancy by up to a third, according to research
- Rapamycin may prolong the average life expectancy of dogs, according to US researchers
- A new study shows that the life of pets can be extended by a third
- Previous experiments with mice have found that it can extend life by up to 30 percent
- The project is part of a larger dog aging project that examines life expectancy
The death of a dog can feel as tragic as the loss of a family member.
But there is hope for dog owners thanks to a potentially life-prolonging pill.
U.S. researchers believe a drug called rapamycin can extend a dog’s life expectancy by up to a third.
Previous experiments with mice have found that it can extend life by up to 30 percent.
Matt Kaeberline, a professor at the University of Washington who is involved in the project, told The Daily Telegraph: “We don’t know if these effects will be similar in absolute or relative terms in dogs, but I think it’s possible.”
The experiment focuses on large breeds, such as Labradors, that live up to ten to 12 years.
A drug called Rapamycin may prolong the average life expectancy of dogs, according to US researchers (image)
Prof. Kaeberlein added: “Our study is able to find a life expectancy of nine percent or more.”
The project, called the Triad (Rapamycin Test in Aging Dogs), is part of a larger dog aging project (DAP) that will examine various aspects of a dog’s life.
Interestingly, the owners can also be thrown to the bone by the project.
DAP looks at how dog life expectancy and aging can be translated into humans.
Advertising