The Journal of Veterinary Science (JVS), published by the Korean Society of Veterinary Science, has released a special October issue. This marks the first special issue in 8 years since 2017, when infectious diseases and One Health were featured.
This special issue focuses on 'The Science of Longevity in Dogs & Cats,' noting that companion animal aging is a global trend, including in Korea.
Prof. Han Ho-jae of Seoul National University, who led the planning and publication of this special issue while serving as President of the Korean Society of Veterinary Science, emphasized in the editorial, "Recently, the lifespan of dogs and cats has reached 20 years. This reflects not only advances in diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, and welfare, but also the recognition of companion animals as family members and applying the same scientific rigor as for humans."
He pointed out that companion animal aging leads to the same challenges facing human medicine, such as age-related diseases, organ function decline, and cognitive impairment. The veterinary paradigm is shifting from simply treating diseases after they occur to proactive health management and quality of life throughout the life cycle.
This special issue features 11 papers covering ▲the scientific principles of longevity and the biology of aging ▲age-related diseases and management in dogs and cats ▲new strategies for lifespan extension and anti-aging. Thirteen renowned domestic and international scholars conducting related research and treating animals in clinical practice participated.
Prof. Baek Seung-joon's team at Seoul National University examines genetic characteristics that can provide clues to companion animal aging and health from long-lived mammals such as elephants, bats, and whales (Genetic insights from long-lived mammals: lessons for companion animal aging and health).
Prof. Shin Seung-kwan's team at Seoul National University analyzes weight, genetic factors, environment, and epigenetic factors affecting dog lifespan, which shows significant breed variation ranging from 7 to 17 years (Diverse breeds, diverse lifespans: understanding longevity in domestic dogs).
Prof. Audrey Ruple's team at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine comprehensively addresses genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors affecting dog lifespan, analyzing the effects of weight, obesity, neutering, and breed on longevity (Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors influencing dog lifespan: a systematic review).
Dr. Oh Won-seok's team at Hwanggeum Animal Hospital analyzes the pathophysiology of geriatric diseases in dogs and cats (Pathophysiology of geriatric diseases in dogs and cats: a foundation for geriatric care), followed by an examination of nutritional management to maintain health in aging dogs and cats (Nutrition and aging in dogs and cats: assessment and dietary strategies).
Prof. Park Hee-myung's team at Konkuk University focuses on cognitive dysfunction syndrome in aging dogs and cats, which has been gaining increasing attention. They introduce diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and management strategies for cognitive dysfunction syndrome (Cognitive dysfunction in aging dogs and cats: diagnosis and management perspectives).
Prof. Sroisuda Chotimanukul's team at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand addresses age-related infertility and reproductive disorders in dogs (Age-related canine reproductive health: impact on fertility and disorders).
Prof. Jane Armstrong's team at the University of Minnesota presents an integrated approach from the mechanisms of aging science in dogs and cats to clinical applications. They introduce major related cohorts such as the Dog Aging Project (DAP) and Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) while presenting aging response strategies including nutrition, medications, and lifestyle (Geroscience and aging interventions in dogs and cats: from mechanisms to clinical care).
Prof. Amanda Coleman's team at the University of Georgia focuses on Rapamycin as a methodology to promote longevity and extend lifespan in dogs. They introduce a large-scale study evaluating the health and lifespan-enhancing effects of administering low-dose rapamycin to healthy middle-aged dogs (Rapamycin as a potential intervention to promote longevity and extend healthspan in companion dogs).
Prof. Han Ho-jae's team at Seoul National University examines the present and future of anti-aging strategies for dogs, including senolytic therapy (Anti-aging strategies for dogs: current insights and future directions).
The special issue concludes with Prof. Han Ho-jae, Prof. Jane Armstrong, and Dr. Oh Won-seok jointly analyzing factors affecting aging and healthspan in dogs and cats, including nutrition, physical activity, stress and environment, and the microbiome (Lifestyle factors affecting aging and healthspan in dogs and cats).
Prof. Han Ho-jae of Seoul National University, who led the publication of the JVS special issue
Citing healthy lifespan extension for companion animals as one of the tasks that veterinary scientists of the current era should focus on, Prof. Han said, "We must pioneer a new paradigm that goes beyond simply extending lifespan to increasing the time animals live happily and with dignity."
If it is the veterinarian's mission to give animals longer lives, then ensuring those lives are comfortable and dignified is also an ethical obligation.
"This special issue invited experts in companion animal aging as authors and made efforts to compile the latest knowledge from fundamentals to lifestyle patterns based on approximately 1,500 research papers," Prof. Han emphasized. "It embodies the Korean Society of Veterinary Science's commitment to deepening academic discourse on healthy longevity for companion animals and contributing to practical animal welfare."
The JVS special issue 'The Science of Longevity in Dogs & Cats' is available on the JVS website.
Source: DailyVet
The Journal of Veterinary Science (JVS), published by the Korean Society of Veterinary Science, has released a special October issue. This marks the first special issue in 8 years since 2017, when infectious diseases and One Health were featured.
This special issue focuses on 'The Science of Longevity in Dogs & Cats,' noting that companion animal aging is a global trend, including in Korea.
Prof. Han Ho-jae of Seoul National University, who led the planning and publication of this special issue while serving as President of the Korean Society of Veterinary Science, emphasized in the editorial, "Recently, the lifespan of dogs and cats has reached 20 years. This reflects not only advances in diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, and welfare, but also the recognition of companion animals as family members and applying the same scientific rigor as for humans."
He pointed out that companion animal aging leads to the same challenges facing human medicine, such as age-related diseases, organ function decline, and cognitive impairment. The veterinary paradigm is shifting from simply treating diseases after they occur to proactive health management and quality of life throughout the life cycle.
This special issue features 11 papers covering ▲the scientific principles of longevity and the biology of aging ▲age-related diseases and management in dogs and cats ▲new strategies for lifespan extension and anti-aging. Thirteen renowned domestic and international scholars conducting related research and treating animals in clinical practice participated.
Prof. Baek Seung-joon's team at Seoul National University examines genetic characteristics that can provide clues to companion animal aging and health from long-lived mammals such as elephants, bats, and whales (Genetic insights from long-lived mammals: lessons for companion animal aging and health).
Prof. Shin Seung-kwan's team at Seoul National University analyzes weight, genetic factors, environment, and epigenetic factors affecting dog lifespan, which shows significant breed variation ranging from 7 to 17 years (Diverse breeds, diverse lifespans: understanding longevity in domestic dogs).
Prof. Audrey Ruple's team at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine comprehensively addresses genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors affecting dog lifespan, analyzing the effects of weight, obesity, neutering, and breed on longevity (Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors influencing dog lifespan: a systematic review).
Dr. Oh Won-seok's team at Hwanggeum Animal Hospital analyzes the pathophysiology of geriatric diseases in dogs and cats (Pathophysiology of geriatric diseases in dogs and cats: a foundation for geriatric care), followed by an examination of nutritional management to maintain health in aging dogs and cats (Nutrition and aging in dogs and cats: assessment and dietary strategies).
Prof. Park Hee-myung's team at Konkuk University focuses on cognitive dysfunction syndrome in aging dogs and cats, which has been gaining increasing attention. They introduce diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and management strategies for cognitive dysfunction syndrome (Cognitive dysfunction in aging dogs and cats: diagnosis and management perspectives).
Prof. Sroisuda Chotimanukul's team at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand addresses age-related infertility and reproductive disorders in dogs (Age-related canine reproductive health: impact on fertility and disorders).
Prof. Jane Armstrong's team at the University of Minnesota presents an integrated approach from the mechanisms of aging science in dogs and cats to clinical applications. They introduce major related cohorts such as the Dog Aging Project (DAP) and Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) while presenting aging response strategies including nutrition, medications, and lifestyle (Geroscience and aging interventions in dogs and cats: from mechanisms to clinical care).
Prof. Amanda Coleman's team at the University of Georgia focuses on Rapamycin as a methodology to promote longevity and extend lifespan in dogs. They introduce a large-scale study evaluating the health and lifespan-enhancing effects of administering low-dose rapamycin to healthy middle-aged dogs (Rapamycin as a potential intervention to promote longevity and extend healthspan in companion dogs).
Prof. Han Ho-jae's team at Seoul National University examines the present and future of anti-aging strategies for dogs, including senolytic therapy (Anti-aging strategies for dogs: current insights and future directions).
The special issue concludes with Prof. Han Ho-jae, Prof. Jane Armstrong, and Dr. Oh Won-seok jointly analyzing factors affecting aging and healthspan in dogs and cats, including nutrition, physical activity, stress and environment, and the microbiome (Lifestyle factors affecting aging and healthspan in dogs and cats).
Citing healthy lifespan extension for companion animals as one of the tasks that veterinary scientists of the current era should focus on, Prof. Han said, "We must pioneer a new paradigm that goes beyond simply extending lifespan to increasing the time animals live happily and with dignity."
If it is the veterinarian's mission to give animals longer lives, then ensuring those lives are comfortable and dignified is also an ethical obligation.
"This special issue invited experts in companion animal aging as authors and made efforts to compile the latest knowledge from fundamentals to lifestyle patterns based on approximately 1,500 research papers," Prof. Han emphasized. "It embodies the Korean Society of Veterinary Science's commitment to deepening academic discourse on healthy longevity for companion animals and contributing to practical animal welfare."
The JVS special issue 'The Science of Longevity in Dogs & Cats' is available on the JVS website.
Source: DailyVet