Extending the life of big dogs

[George K]

Good.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-radical-new-drug-is-poised-to-extend-the-life-of-dogs

A new drug is currently in the works that could one day extend the lifespan of some large canine breeds.

The medicine has been developed by the veterinary biotech company, Loyal for Dogs, and while it still needs to undergo clinical trials, officials at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have said in a letter to the company that its initial data is "sufficient" to show "a reasonable expectation of effectiveness," according to a copy of the letter supplied to The New York Times.

"Today, I'm so proud to announce that Loyal has earned what we believe to be the FDA's first-ever formal acceptance that a drug can be developed and approved to extend lifespan," writes Loyal's founder and CEO Celine Halioua in a press release on November 28.

"In regulatory parlance, we have completed the technical effectiveness portion of our conditional approval application for LOY-001's use in large dog lifespan extension."

LOY-001 is the name of the first version of the drug, which is targeted at dogs 7 years of age and older, weighing at least 40 pounds (18 kilograms). It comes as an injection that can be given to dogs every three to six months by vets.

[George K]

BTW: I've never had a big dog. Our two dogs were <20 lb each.

I would love to have had a big dog - but the short lifespan gives pause.

Actually, I'd love to have a dog now (we're baby-sitting D3's dog tonight). But I'm in no mood for taking a dog for walks, etc.

[Jolly]

Right now, a 20 pound sheltie, a 45 pound pot-licker and a 68 pound lab/border collie cross.

Years ago, I had a silver and black German Shepherd that went 100 pounds. That was the biggest dog I ever had.

[Mik]

Love Danes, but the short lifespan.