Analyzing a Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Canine Aging

SUMMARY: Researchers will determine if red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a marker of health and lifespan.

THE PROBLEM: As dogs age, they experience many of the same health problems as their owners. They tend to be less active, they are more susceptible to disease, and they experience more health problems. When older dogs experience health problems, it can be difficult to determine how they will respond to an intervention. The medical tests used to make care decisions for dogs tend to be expensive, and dogs often are uninsured. Thus, better ways to determine how likely dogs are to recover from a medical problem are needed.

THE PROJECT: RDW is a blood test that is commonly collected in both humans and animals as part of regular blood work. In humans, high RDW is associated with poor prognosis, and individuals with high RDW have a shorter lifespan than individuals with RDW in the normal range. A similar relationship between RDW and lifespan has been found in mice. Seeing a relationship between RDW and lifespan in two mammalian species suggests that this might also occur in other mammals such as dogs. In this pilot study, researchers will investigate if RDW can predict lifespan in dogs and if it helps to predict if an animal will recover from a health problem. The team will use data collected by the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) and the Dog Aging Project (DAP) to answer this question.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: If the study is successful, RDW could be an inexpensive tool for veterinarians and dog owners to make care decisions for aged dogs

Projected End Date: 2/28/2026