by Karen Dugan Holman, B.S., B.S.E., M.S.
Photos courtesy of Corinna Tressler, D.V.M.
Corinna Tressler, D.V.M., owner of Green Country Veterinary Hospital, has partnered with Loyal, an animal-health biotech company developing medications intended to help dogs live longer and maintain their quality of life as they age. Green Country Veterinary Hospital is one of 55 sites nationwide selected to help Loyal conduct a clinical study for its LOY-002 medication, a chewable, flavored daily tablet. Loyal is looking for dogs and owners interested in participating in the study, known as the STAY study.
Aging is the most significant modifiable risk factor for most degenerative and chronic diseases in adult dogs. Targeting the ways dogs age and decline over time might be one of the most effective and practical ways for veterinarians to increase the healthy life spans of canine patients.
What Is Aging Like in Dogs?
Aging impacts dogs in multiple ways, which can cause a reduction in life span and quality of life. Dogs might experience diminished physical health and function; increased susceptibility to disability and disease; changes in behavior and social functioning; graying fur; thinning of hair; muscle loss; clouding of eyes; a decrease in activity and difficulty in mobility; limping or other signs of pain; or a decrease of enthusiasm and energy.
We can usually tell when a dog is “old” by what we are seeing, but what we are seeing is the biological age, not the years the dog has lived. Larger breeds age physically earlier than smaller breeds.
Not all physical changes are visible. Some changes involve the structure and function of internal organs, which are much harder to detect. Some old dogs might have less energy; less strength; less tolerance for exercise; less tolerance for stress, such as intense activity, heat, or cold; less resistance to disease; changes in behaviors (barking, inappropriate elimination, confusion, changes in sleep patterns, anxiety, or fear); or loss of appetite. Chronic health problems such as arthritis and other inflammatory disease, kidney disease, and heart disease can degrade the quality of life.
An exciting aspect of longevity medicine is that by targeting general aging changes, it might be possible to prevent many kinds of health problems at once instead of targeting the specific mechanisms behind each disease separately.
It isn’t possible to eliminate all the adverse effects of aging (such as pain, disease, or decreased physical function), but the hope of this scientific investigation is to understand the mechanisms of aging so an intervention will help preserve health and quality of life for our canine companions.
The STAY Study
The STAY study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy study intended to assess the effect of LOY-002 on life span and health span in treated dogs. The study will be conducted over four years. About 1,000 companion dogs 10 years and older and between 14 and 179 pounds will participate. The first dog was enrolled in December 2023.
Participants will receive the LOY-002 or the placebo, and extensive data on health, quality of life, and life span will be collected. Owners will provide documentation of a dog’s birth. Suitable examples include veterinary records, registration papers, breeding records, adoption papers, and rabies certificates.
A dog that participates in the study will receive regular wellness visits and associated laboratory work at no cost for the duration of the study. There will be six visits for the first year and two visits each year for the remainder of the study. Another incentive is that owners will receive a $100 credit with every health survey completed and free lab work and exams associated with the study.
The results of the study will be part of the application for full Federal Drug Administration approval for the drug and will be shared with veterinarians.
How To Enroll
To enroll your dog in the STAY study, contact Green Country Veterinary Hospital, 12126 South Yukon, Glenpool, Oklahoma 74033, telephone (918) 298-4085, myfamilypetvetok.com.
Tressler is a 2000 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at the University of Nebraska and her master of science degree in reproductive physiology at the University of Arkansas. She is an active cyclist with the Tulsa Divas.
In Closing
My family has provided a home for many frosty-faced older dogs. They have all been members of our family, and we poured our hearts into theirs, knowing their years were shorter. Old dogs are absolutely the best. I encourage people to not overlook older dogs. They bring a wisdom, warmth, and softness. They have a deep gratitude for the love and care you provide. In return, they bring companionship and loyalty. We can only hope that the same will be done for us as we age. Adopt a senior pet and experience a mystical connection and bond you will never regret.
What promise a new medication could bring to many senior dogs, giving them an improved quality of life and life span! Helping old dogs live longer with greater quality of life is a blessing. Thank you, Dr. Tressler, for giving Oklahomans the opportunity to help.
Happy Tails, Karen
Three Oaks Animal Behavior
Counseling LLC
