A new study on a pill capable of extending dogs’ lives has revealed some interesting findings about canine aging.
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Dr. Christopher Chapman, CEO of Telomir Pharmaceuticals, and Dr. Michael Roizen from Cleveland Clinic, have worked together to test a new drug aimed at extending the telomere caps (DNA sequence) in human stem cells, potentially slowing down or even reversing the aging process.
“If you can extend the telomeres, you can replicate stem cells and keep repairing things so you can literally become younger,” Dr. Roizen told ABC7, adding that preclinical data from the drug in a previous study observing human cells in vitro indicated that it extended telomeres by 200%.
With this in mind, a shelter in Florida was granted permission to use the pill on two of its elderly dogs facing health issues. One of them is Zeus, a 12-year-old German Shepherd who was in a delicate state of health, according to his caretaker, Marsha Panuce from the NGO Donte’s Den.
After a visit to the veterinarian, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Even after surgery to remove his spleen, his prognosis was not good. However, after starting the pill, Panuce saw results quickly.
“We watched him get better and better. We are very happy because we saved this dog,” she said, adding that in a recent examination, it was possible to see that the cancer in Zeus’ body had completely disappeared.
After this, Panuce was allowed to try the pill on another of her dogs, Benson, a 12-year-old Newfoundland dog, who could barely walk due to severe arthritis. Notably, within a week, she explained that he was able to stand up by himself.
“I think any way we can resolve a very terrible situation and turn it around, I am totally in favor of,” Panuce said. The study of the pill in dogs is ongoing, involving 10 pets, and results will be presented for review in early 2025.
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