MEDIA ALERT: DENVER/January 23, 2025 – Aging is a normal process but as our bodies age, changes occur that can impact health and quality of life. As dogs live longer lives, their health challenges also change – gone are some of the problems that affect younger dogs, but new issues begin to surface that can impact the golden years of our dog friends. Osteoarthritis, cancer, cognitive declines and other problems can diminish quality of life, decrease longevity and place both emotional and financial strain on families.
The Foundation recognized this trend and made senior dog health the focus of our October call for research proposals. We received great proposals from all over the world and after review we selected eight for funding. The proposals cover a wide range of topics and are slated to begin in early 2025.
The new studies focused on senior dog health are:
- Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Colorado State University — Researchers will work on developing a new type of gene therapy to treat osteoarthritis.
- Dr. Craig Coon, Four Rivers Kennel — The team will look at the influence of the oral microbiome on periodontal disease in senior dogs.
- Dr. Péter Pongrácz, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary — Researchers will study how a dog’s lifetime activity influences cognitive decline.
- Dr. Audrey Ruple, Virginia Tech — The team will investigate how the loss of a companion affects cognitive decline in dogs.
- Dr. Isabel Boutet, University of Ottawa, Canada – Researchers will develop educational tools for veterinarians to use to teach their clients about healthy aging in dogs.
- Dr. Nicole Riddle, University of Alabama, Birmingham – Researchers will test to see if a common blood test marker of red blood cell width can predict lifespan in dogs.
- Dr. Andria Beal, EpiPaws – This team will look at DNA patterns to identify new biomarkers associated with obesity and age-related disease in Golden Retriever Lifetime Study samples.
The studies cover a wide range of health topics of concern to veterinarians and pet owners. Two of the studies are focused on drivers of cognitive decline and are unique in scope.
The first study, based at the world-renown ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, is looking at the long-term effect of a dog’s activity on later cognitive declines. In this project, the research team will investigate whether the various working dog breeds show similar signs of aging. There is a chance that independent workers (such as terriers, or sled pulling dogs) age differently compared to the cooperative breeds (such as herding dogs or retrievers). Another important detail is whether the dogs have performed sports activities throughout their lifetime or not. The team will also compare the behavior between older dogs who were active in sports with those who lived without organized activities. They predict that not only the activity a dog is provided with, but the type of sport, will affect the dogs’ old age condition. There is a chance that particular dog breeds benefit differently from sport activities, depending on how appropriate the given activity is to the original purpose of that particular breed. Their findings could provide new insights into the relationship between activity and later mental declines, which in turn could inform guidelines for pet owners.
The Virginia Tech team also is studying cognitive decline but they’re taking a closer look at how the loss of a companion, human or animal, influences cognitive function. In this project, the research team will investigate if and when such a bond is broken, the effect on cognition. Using data from the Dog Aging Project, the team will analyze this information to look at whether the loss of a companion (human, dog, or another animal) affects dogs’ mental health as they age, and how dog owners and their veterinary care team can be more aware when these changes occur.
These two studies are just a small sampling of the newly funded grants. Finding ways to keep our older dogs happy and healthy is a top priority for the Foundation. Learn more about these studies and all of our active senior dog health projects!
Science to Save Animals Starts with YOU!
Innovative animal health research takes vision as well as financial investment. That’s why Morris Animal Foundation, with the generous support of our donors, continues to fund this important work to change the odds for animals suffering from diseases and painful health conditions. DONATE TODAY and support critical science to save the animals you love!
