Medicine
Healthy ageing and the science of longevity in dogs. Part I: is grey the new gold?
Vicki Jean Adams; David Mark Morgan; Penny Watson
Published Online:10 Jan 2018https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2018.23.1.12
Abstract
While we are all familiar with the phrase ‘ageing is not a disease’, what do we really mean by ‘healthy ageing’? In this first of a two-part article on the science of longevity we explore what ageing is, starting with some important definitions used in the field of gerontology. There are three broad factors that are thought to influence how long an individual dog lives: the genetic make-up of the individual, the environment, and the occurrence of disease. Longevity depends on an individual experiencing the ideal for these three factors. The complex interactions between a dog's genetic make-up, subsequent environmental stimuli, disease risk and longevity are considered further in the second part of this article to help us better understand how to meet the aim for a healthy, happy, old dog, not just a long lifespan. We conclude that healthy ageing is a life-long concept referring to the preservation of optimal physical, mental and social well-being in older adult dogs and is characterised by a long healthspan during which an individual is generally healthy and free from serious disease. This is most likely to be achieved through promotion of health and wellbeing via the use of veterinary services to prevent or minimise disease.
Further reading
The Jackson Laboratory . 2017. Life span as a biomarker [Internet]. [cited 11 Jan 2017 ]. Available from https://www.jax.org/research-and-faculty/research-labs/the-harri-son-lab/gerontology/life-span-as-a-biomarker# Google ScholarMax-Planck-Gesellschaft . Individual lifespans are becoming more similar: Scientists discover a novel regularity for vastly different human societies and epochs [Internet]. [Cited 11/01/2017 ] ScienceDaily, 21 November 2016. Available from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161121162537.htm Google Scholar
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