- Joined
- Apr 20, 2021
- Messages
- 38
Probably few on here have escaped the pain of losing a loved old dog. They do not last long enough. My canine partner in my own homestead died almost a couple years ago and I was broken to lose him. Not only his loss, but then the raccoons moved in and were picking off the chickens. The breeder from whom I got him originally, bless her, gave me his almost 8 year old son to stop the raccoons. He did. Both dogs are Pyr/Maremma cross livestock guardians. So then I have Toby, age 8 which is already old and he limped a little. Arthritis is inflammation's favorite ailment. From my decades of investigation I know the best anti-inflammatory in the world is Omega 3 oil, so first thing Toby got krill oil. He stopped limping and perked up a little. I changed his diet to meat instead of Old Roy dog food. But he is still an old dog. At least not in pain with Krill oil, and diet is not contributing to inflammation, now. But over the last 18 months, Toby spent more and more time sleeping on his bed, barking less, noticing things less and not guarding much if he could help it. The writing is on the wall.
Some time ago I read about a study done at the Univ of WA with companion dogs and a drug called rapamycin. I'd already been looking into it because it's getting a lot of press in the anti-aging field so the drug was not new to me but this was an interesting study. Only 10 weeks. But even so., great things were happening for these dogs, particularly in heart function. Old dogs are prone to heart stuff and cancer. Google it for yourself.
Finally I secured some rapamycin for Toby. It was not easy and it's not cheap. I did a lot of investigation and my education was in biology so I read all the studies of what they're looking at with rapamycin. If you google "Rapamycin and ______" fill in any known disease and someone is looking into it. It prevents disease because it prevents or at lease slows aging. Big subject.
Toby has been taking rapamycin for 4 months. He's back to patrolling not only my acre but he senses what's going on all around the neighbors, too. He hardly spends any time in his bed. He runs. He barks at everything. I love it because it indicates he is acting like a young dog again. Will it extend his life? I don't know. Will it prevent cancer for him? I do not know. I'm pretty sure it has improved his heart function just from his improved activity level. His birthday is coming up and he'll be 10. And never looked or acted better. I'll report on progress as we go along.
Some time ago I read about a study done at the Univ of WA with companion dogs and a drug called rapamycin. I'd already been looking into it because it's getting a lot of press in the anti-aging field so the drug was not new to me but this was an interesting study. Only 10 weeks. But even so., great things were happening for these dogs, particularly in heart function. Old dogs are prone to heart stuff and cancer. Google it for yourself.
Finally I secured some rapamycin for Toby. It was not easy and it's not cheap. I did a lot of investigation and my education was in biology so I read all the studies of what they're looking at with rapamycin. If you google "Rapamycin and ______" fill in any known disease and someone is looking into it. It prevents disease because it prevents or at lease slows aging. Big subject.
Toby has been taking rapamycin for 4 months. He's back to patrolling not only my acre but he senses what's going on all around the neighbors, too. He hardly spends any time in his bed. He runs. He barks at everything. I love it because it indicates he is acting like a young dog again. Will it extend his life? I don't know. Will it prevent cancer for him? I do not know. I'm pretty sure it has improved his heart function just from his improved activity level. His birthday is coming up and he'll be 10. And never looked or acted better. I'll report on progress as we go along.