Canine Lifetime Health Project: A groundbreaking long-term study

Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs, and in 2011 the Morris Animal Foundation begins an ambitious long-term study to identify the risk factors for the development of cancer and other diseases in dogs. The Canine Lifetime Health Project, a 13-year longitudinal and observational study, seeks to enroll 2,500 golden retrievers between 2 and 7 years of age. Pet owners and veterinarians who participate will provide lifelong follow-up data on the dogs based on surveys and information collected at veterinary examinations.

Hill's Pet Nutrition, Pfizer Animal Health, and other animal health companies have committed support for the study, which Wayne Jensen, DVM, PhD, MBA, chief scientific officer of Morris Animal Foundation, compares to the landmark Framingham Heart Study in people. Speaking at the project's announcement at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 15, Dr. Jensen said that the study aims to identify the incidence and prevalence of exposure to genetic, nutritional, and environmental risk factors for developing cancer, identify potential biomarkers of cancer and other diseases, and ultimately help veterinary clinicians develop guidelines for cancer screening and prevention in dogs.

To learn more about participating in this study, visit http://www.caninelifetimehealth.org.