Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Place of Geroprotective Agents in Life Quality and Longevity of Companion Animals

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Molecular Basis and Emerging Strategies for Anti-aging Interventions

Abstract

Aging is a series of progressive degenerative body changes associated with decreased physiological functionality and a decline in the ability to adapt to metabolic stress. Geroscience particularly focuses on understanding the mechanisms of aging and multiple genetic and pharmacological therapies which have been developed in order to modulate the pace of natural aging and to prevent the age-related disorders such as cancer, kidney diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and many others; these geroprotective and senolytic interventions have shown to be beneficial for extending the life span and delaying age-related functional declines in rodents. Recent developments in geroscience also contributed to the improvement of quality of life and the extension of expected life span of cats and dogs. Like in humans, the life expectancy of cats and dogs varies significantly based on racial disparities; breed is an important determinant of life expectancy in pets. Other factors such as gender, genetics, environment, and stressors also play an important role throughout the aging process. Use of geroprotective agents by veterinarians is becoming more common day by day, extending the life span of pets and contributing to the establishment of a more peaceful home environment by decreasing the disease burden. This chapter will focus on the use of these geroprotective and senolytic agents and their overall impact on the prevention of age-related degenerative changes and disorders in companion animals: cats and dogs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams B, Chan A, Callahan H et al (2000) The canine as a model of human cognitive aging: recent developments. Prog Neuro-Psychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 24:675–692

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ademowo OS, Dias HKI, Burton DGA et al (2017) Lipid (per) oxidation in dogs in Sweden from 1995 to 2002. Prev Vet Med 69(1–2):109–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Akdogan Kaymaz A, Ulgen S, Yanar K et al (2014) Oxidant status according to azotemia levels in cats. In: Proceedings 39th WSAVA Congres

    Google Scholar 

  • Albert RE, Benjamin SA, Shukla R (1994) Life span and cancer mortality in the beagle dog and humans. Mech Ageing Dev 74:149–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd LM, Langston C, Thompson K et al (2008) Survival in cats with naturally occurring chronic kidney disease (2000–2002). J Vet Intern Med 22:1111–1117

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bybee SN, Scorza AV, Lappin MR (2011) Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter. J Vet Intern Med 25:856–860

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cakatay U, Kayalı R (2005) Plasma protein oxidation in aging rats after alpha-lipoic acid administration. Biogerontology 6(2):87–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castillo-Quan JI, Blackwell TK (2016) Metformin: restraining nucleocytoplasmic shuttling to fight cancer and aging. Cell 167(7):1670–1671

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chapagain D, Range F, Huber L et al (2017) Cognitive aging in dogs. Gerontology. https://doi.org/10.1159/000481621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chase K, Jones P, Martin A et al (2009) Genetic mapping of fixed phenotypes: disease frequency as a breed. J Hered 100(Supplement 1):37–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chastain CB (2004) The endocrine and metabolic system. In: Hoskins JD (ed) Geriatrics & gerontology of dog and cat. Saunders, St. Louis, pp 271–302

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chew BP, Park JS (2004) Carotenoid action on the immune response. J Nutr 134(1):257S–261S

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chung HY, Cesari M, Anton S et al (2009) Molecular inflammation: underpinnings of aging and age-related diseases. Ageing Res Rev 8:18–30

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Comfort A (1956) Maximum ages reached by domestic cats. J Mammal 37(1):118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comfort A (1960) Longevity and mortality in dogs of four breeds. J Gerontol 15(2):126–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Courcier E, Thomson R, Mellor D, et al (2009) Canine obesity: do owners see what you see? In: Proceedings. Br Sm Anim Vet Cong

    Google Scholar 

  • Cozzi B, Ballarin C, Mantovani R, Rota A (2017) Aging and veterinary care of cats, dogs, and horses through the records of three university veterinary hospitals. Front Vet Sci 4:14

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies M (2012) Geriatric screening in first opinion practice-results from 45 dogs. J Small Anim Pract 53:507–513

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis PR, Head E (2014) Prevention approaches in a preclinical canine model of Alzheimer’s disease: benefits and challenges. Front Pharmacol 5:47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Cerbo A, Morales-Medina JC, Palmieri B et al (2017) Functional foods in pet nutrition: focus on dogs and cats. Res Vet Sci 112:161–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiBartola SP, Broome MR, Stein BS et al (1996) Effect of treatment of hyperthyroidism on renal function in cats. JAVMA 208(6):875–878

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diez M, Nguyen P (2006) The epidemiology of canine and feline obesity. Waltham Focus 16:2–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobson JM, Samuel S, Milstein H et al (2002) Canine neoplasia in the UK: estimates of incidence rates from a population of insured dogs. JSAP 43(6):240–246

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dzanis DA (2004) Nutritional requirements and dietary management. In: Hoskins JD (ed) Geriatrics & gerontology of dog and cat. Saunders, St. Louis, pp 18–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Edney ATB, Smith PM (1986) Study of obesity in dogs visiting veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. Vet Rec 118:391–396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eichelberg H, Seine R (1996) Life expectancy and cause of death in dogs. I. The situation in mixed breeds and various dog breeds. Berl Munch Tierarztl 109:292–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Egenvall A, Bonnett BN, Öhagena P et al (2005) Incidence of and survival after mammary tumors in a population of over 80,000 insured female dogs in Sweden from 1995 to 2002. Prev Vet Med 69(1–2):109–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egenvall A, Nodvedt A, Haggstrom J et al (2009) Mortality of life-insured Swedish cats during 1999–2006: age, breed, sex, and diagnosis. J Vet Intern Med 23:1175–1183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fahnestock M, Marchese M, Head E et al (2012) BDNF increases with behavioral enrichment and an antioxidant diet in the aged dog. Neurobiol Aging 33(3):546–554

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming JM, Creevy KE, Promislow DEL (2011) Mortality in North American dogs from 1984 to 2004: an investigation into age-, size-, and breed-related causes of death. J Vet Intern Med 25(2):187–198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fortney WD (2004) Geriatrics and aging. In: Hoskins JD (ed) Geriatrics & gerontology of dog and cat. Saunders, St. Louis, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman LM (2012) Cachexia and sarcopenia: emerging syndromes of importance in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med 26:3–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • German AJ (2006) The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr 136:1940S–1946S

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • German AJ (2015) Style over substance: what can parenting styles tell us about ownership styles and obesity in companion animals? Br J Nutr 113:S72–S77

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godfrey DR (2005) Osteoarthritis in cats: a retrospective radiological study. JSAP 46(9):425–429

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Golini L, Colangeli R, Tranquillo V et al (2009) Association between neurologic and cognitive dysfunction signs in a sample of aging dogs. J Vet Behavior 4(1):25–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gossellin J, Wren JA, Sunderland SL (2007) Canine obesity: an overview. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 30(Suppl 1):1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grant RW, Vester Boler BM, Ridge TK et al (2011) Adipose tissue transcriptome changes during obesity development in female dogs. Physiol Genomics 43(6):295–307

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greer KA, Canterberry SC, Murphy KE (2007) Statistical analysis regarding the effects of height and weight on life span of the domestic dog. Res Vet Sci 82(2):208–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greer KA, Hughes LM, Masternak MM (2011) Connecting serum IGF-1, body size, and age in the domestic dog. Age 33(3):475–483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grimm D (2015) Why we outlive our pets. Science 350(6265):1182–1185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gunn-Moore D, Moffat K, Christie EA et al (2007) Cognitive dysfunction and the neurobiology of ageing in cats. JSAP 48:546–553

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Head E (2013) A canine model of human aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Biochim Biophys Acta (BBA) – Mol Basis Dis 1832(9):1384–1389

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Head E, Nukala VN, Fenoglio KA et al (2009) Effects of age, dietary, and behavioral enrichment on brain mitochondria in a canine model of human aging. Exp Neurol 220(1):171–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henegar JR, Bigler SA, Henegar LK et al (2001) Functional and structural changes in the kidney in the early stages of obesity. J Am Soc Nephrol 12:1211–1217

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herstad HK, Nesheim BB, L’ Abée-Lund T et al (2010) Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis – a controlled clinical trial. J Small Anim Pract 51:34–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hesta M, Ottermans C, Krammer-Lukas S et al (2006) The effect of vitamin C supplementation in healthy dogs on antioxidative capacity and immune parameters. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 93(2009):26–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuberger R, Wakshlag J (2011) The relationship of feeding patterns and obesity in dogs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 95(1):98–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hideki H, Yoshiro O, Masuo O, Kazuo F (1988) Epidemiological studies on the expectation of life for dogs computed from animal cemetery records. Jpn J Vet Sci 50(5):1003–1008

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoenig M (2014) Comparative aspects of human, canine, and feline obesity and factors predicting progression to diabetes. Vet Sci 1:121–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoenig M, Wilkins C, Holson JC et al (2003) Effects of obesity on lipid profiles in neutered male and female cats. Am J Ver Res 64(3):299–303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houpt KA, Beaver B (1981) Behavioral problems of geriatric dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 11(4):643–652

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaso-Friedmann L, Leary JH, Praveen K et al (2008) The effects of obesity and fatty acids on the feline immune system. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 122(1–2):146–152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaeberlein M, Creevy KE, Promislow DEL (2016) The Dog Aging Project: translational geroscience in companion animals. Mamm Genome 27:279–288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley RL, Minikhiem D, Kiely B et al (2009) Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with acute idiopathic diarrhea. Vet Ther 10:121–130

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim HW, Chew BP, Wong TS et al (2000) Modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses by dietary lutein in cats. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 73(3–4):331–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkland JL (2013) Inflammation and cellular senescence: potential contribution to chronic diseases and disabilities with aging. Public Policy Aging Report 23(4):12–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laflamme DP (2005) Nutrition for aging cats and dogs and the importance of body condition. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 35(3):713–742

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laflamme DP (2012) Companion animals symposium: obesity in dogs and cats: what is wrong with being fat? JAS 90(5):1653–1662

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landsberg GM, Araujo JA (2005) Behavior problems in geriatric pets. Vet Clin Small Anim 35:675–698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landsberg GM, Malamed R (2017) Clinical picture of canine and feline cognitive impairment. In: Landsberg G, Maďari A, Žilka N (eds) Canine and feline dementia. Springer, Cham

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Landsberg GM, Nichol J, Araujo JA (2012) Cognitive dysfunction syndrome: a disease of canine and feline brain aging. Small Anim Pract 42(4):749–768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson JC, Allstadt SD, Fan TM et al (2016) Pharmacokinetics of orally administered low-dose rapamycin in healthy dogs. AVMA 77(1):65–71

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lascelles BD, Robertson SA (2010) DJD-associated pain in cats. What can we do to promote patient comfort? J Feline Med Surg 12(3):200–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenox CE, Bauer JE (2013) Potential adverse effects of omega-3 fatty acids in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med 27(2):217–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Deeb B, Pendergrass W, Wolf N (1996) Cellular proliferative capacity and life span in small and large dogs. J Gerontol Ser A Biol Med Sci 51A(6):B403–B408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Otin et al (2013) The hallmarks of aging. Cell 2013 Jun 6 153(6):1194–1217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2013.05.039

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Manteca X (2011) Nutrition and behavior in senior dogs. Top Companion Anim Med 26(1):33–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merlo DF, Rossi L, Pellegrino C et al (2008) Cancer incidence in pet dogs: findings of the animal tumor registry of Genoa, Italy. J Vet Intern Med 22:976–984

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michell AR (1999) Longevit of British breeds of dog and its relationships with-sex, size, cardiovascular variables and disease. Vet Rec 145(22):625–629

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller MS, Tilley LP, Smith FW Jr (1989) Cardiopulmonary disease in the geriatric dog and cat. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 19(1):87–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Montoya-Alonso JA, Bautista-Castaño I, Peña C (2017) Prevalence of canine obesity, obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, and relationship with owner obesity in an obesogenic region of Spain. Front Vet Sci 4:59. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00059

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Muir WW, Wiese AJ, ThomasBS et al (2004) Prevalence and characteristics of pain in dogs and cats examined as outpatients at a veterinary teaching hospital. JAVMA 224(9):1459–1463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy M, Lusby AL, Bartges JW et al (2011) Size of food bowl and scoop affects amount of food owners feed their dogs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 96(2):237–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neiger R (2004) In: Hoskins JD (ed) Geriatrics and gerontology of the dog and cat. Saunders, St. Louis

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson RW, Reusch CE (2014) Anımal models of disease: classification and etiology of diabetes in dogs and cats. J Endocrinol 222:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan J, Loskutovaa E, Howardb AN et al (2014) Macular pigment, visual function, and macular disease among subjects with Alzheimer’s disease: an exploratory study. J Alzheimer Dis 42:1191–1202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill DG (2016) Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus among 193,435 cats attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. J Vet Intern Med 30:964–972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill DG, Church DB, McGreevy PD et al (2013) Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England. Vet J 198:638–643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill GD, Church DB, McGreevy PD et al (2015) Longevity and mortality of cats attending primary care veterinary practices in England. J Feline Med Surg 17:125–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osto M, Lutz TA (2015) Translational value of animal models of obesity—focus on dogs and cats. Eu J Pharmacol 759:240–252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patronek GJ, Waters DJ, Glickman LT (1997) Comparative longevity of pet dogs and humans: implications for gerontology research. J Gerontol Ser A Biol Med Sci 52A(3):B171–B178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitt JN, Kaeberlein M (2015) Why is aging conserved and what can we do about it? PLoS Biol 13(5):e1002176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proschowsky HF, Rugbjerg H, Ersbøll AK (2003) Mortality of purebred and mixed-breed dogs in Denmark. Prev Vet Med 58(1-2):63–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quimby JM, Maranon DG, Battaglia CLR et al (2013) Feline chronic kidney disease is associated with shortened telomeres and increased cellular senescence. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 305(3):F295–F303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Radin MJ, Sharkey LC, Holycross J (2009) Adipokines: a review of biological and analytical principles and an update in dogs, cats, and horses. Vet Clin Pathol 38(2):136–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raffan E (2013) The big problem: battling companion animal obesity. Vet Rec 173:287–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds CA, Oyama MA, Rush JE et al (2010) Perceptions of quality of life and priorities of owners of cats with heart disease. J Vet Med 24:1421–1426

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slingerland LI, Fazilova VV, Plantinga EA et al (2009) Indoor confinement and physical inactivity rather than the proportion of dry food are risk factors in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vet J 179:247–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snigdha S, de Riverab C, Milgram NW et al (2015) Effect of mitochondrial cofactors and antioxidants supplementation on cognition in the aged canine. Neurobiol Aging 37:171–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spain CV, Scarlett JM, Houpt KA (2004) Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. JAVMA 224(3):380–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector WS (1956) Handbook of biological data. Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Strain GM (2017) Hearing disorders in cats. J Feline Med Surg 19(3):276–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutter NB, Bustamente CD, Chase K et al (2007) A single IFF1 allele is a majör determinant of small size in dogs. Science 316:112–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanner AE, Martin J, Saker KE (2007) Oxidative stress and ınflammatory state ınduced by obesity in the healthy feline. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 91(3–4):163–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulgen S, Bayrakal A, Sargın E et al (2014) The changing patterns in referral rates of geriatric cats and dogs to an university clinic. J Fac Vet Med Istanbul Univ 41(2):232–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Urfer SR, Kaeberlein TL, Mailheau S, Bergman PJ, Creevy KE, Promislow DEL, Kaeberlein M (2017) A randomized controlled trial to establish effects of short-term rapamycin treatment in 24 middle-aged companion dogs. GeroScience 39(2):117–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Hagen MA, Ducro BJ, van den Broek J et al (2005) Incidence, risk factors, and hereditability estimates of hind limb lameness caused by hip dysplasia in a birth cohort of boxers. Am J Vet Res 66:307–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Hoek I, Daminet S (2009) Interactions between thyroid and kidney function in pathological conditions of these organ systems: a review. Gen Comp Endocrinol 160(3):205–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weese JS, Arroyo L (2003) Bacteriological evaluation of dog and cat diets that claim to contain probiotics. Can Vet J 44(3):212–215

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Williams TL, Peak KJ, Brodbelt D et al (2010) Survival and the development of azotemia after treatment of hyperthyroid cats. J Vet Intern Med 24(4):863–869

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams TL, Elliott J, Syme HM (2014) Effect on renal function of restoration of euthyroidism in hyperthyroid cats with iatrogenic hypothyroidism. J Vet Intern Med 28(4):1251–1255

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams D, Fitchie A, Colitz C (2015) An oral antioxidant formulation delaying and potentially reversing. Int J Diabetes Clin Res 2(1):1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wonisch W, Falk A, Sundl I et al (2012) Oxidative stress increases continuously with BMI and age with unfavourable profiles in males. Aging Male 15(3):159–165. https://doi.org/10.3109/13685538.2012.669436

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wren JA, King VL, Campbell SL et al (2007) Biologic activity of dirlotapide, a novel microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, for weight loss in obese dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 30(Suppl 1):33–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zoran D (2010) Obesity in dogs and cats; a metabolic and endocrine disorder. Vet Clin Small Anim 40:221–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Alev Akdoğan Kaymaz

Authors
  1. Alev Akdoğan Kaymaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Syed Ibrahim Rizvi

  2. Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ufuk Çakatay

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Akdoğan Kaymaz, A. (2018). The Place of Geroprotective Agents in Life Quality and Longevity of Companion Animals. In: Rizvi, S., Çakatay, U. (eds) Molecular Basis and Emerging Strategies for Anti-aging Interventions. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1699-9_24

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation