Boo, the first patient in the STAY clinical trial to receive a dose of LOY-002. (

The first patient—an 11-year-old Whippet named Boo—has been dosed in a clinical trial for a developmental drug that aims to extend the healthy lifespan of senior dogs of most sizes. The LOY-002 product is being studied for use with the exception of the smallest senior canines by the startup biotech company Loyal.

“We are working to develop multiple dog longevity products,” said Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, in an interview with 

Notably, the company is also working to bring to market LOY-001, a longevity drug for large and giant breed dogs. LOY-001 

received support from the FDA in November 2023

, when the agency approved the Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness section in Loyal’s application for conditional drug approval, following a review of clinical data, study results and scientific argument provided by the company.

Loyal developed LOY-001 by first looking at the underlying mechanisms of aging. The drug works by reducing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a key biomarker hormone that drives cell growth and is believed to reduce the lifespan of large dogs.

 LOY-002 is being developed to extend healthy lifespan by improving dogs’ metabolic health to delay the onset and reduce the impact of age-associated diseases.

“LOY-002 is a slightly different mechanism [than LOY-001] for senior lifespan extension. It’s a little bit more of a 

 mechanism. It’s not going to make a 10-year-old dog a puppy, but we’ve seen a rescuing in age-related functional decline in dogs that have been treated with this drug,” said Halioua, in the interview.

The new STAY study for LOY-002 is expected to last 4 years and include 1000 enrolled dogs, working in partnership with more than 50 independent veterinary clinics from across the country.

 “It will be one of the largest veterinary clinical studies that, as far as we know, has ever been run,” said Halioua.

Boo was enrolled at the Animal Hospital of Dauphin County in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Coby Rudakewiz, DVM, an associate veterinarian, is a STAY study investigator. “I’m genuinely excited to be able to share what we’ve seen as a life-changing product to dogs of all sizes,” said Rudakewiz, in an organizational release.

 “This is what it’s all about—keeping dogs feeling their best to enjoy a long life with their owners who love them.”

“The launch of this study brings us one step closer to helping senior dogs have more, healthier years with their families…The scale and complexity of STAY reflect Loyal’s commitment to creating demonstrably effective and safe products,” Halioua added in the release.

 “This is a massive undertaking that wouldn’t be possible without the partnership of the many veterinarians and technicians operating the study in their clinics, and the participating dogs and owners helping advance therapies for all dogs.”

The STAY study is designed to provide pivotal effectiveness and field safety data in support of the company’s application for FDA approval. The drug will be prescribed by veterinarians and administered as a daily beef-flavored pill to dogs age 10 years or older and weighing at least 14 pounds. Over the span of the study, Loyal will collect data on the drug’s potential impact on the lifespan and quality of life of dogs receiving LOY-002, compared to those receiving a placebo, as well as any adverse effects reported in the study population. The study results will be shared with the FDA as part of the company’s application for full approval to market the drug for lifespan extension.

In the meantime, Loyal is also pursuing conditional approval for the drug, which would allow it to begin offering LOY-002 through veterinarians as soon as early 2025, while continuing to run this lifespan extension study in parallel. LOY-001 is being anticipated by Loyal to be brought to the veterinary pharmaceutical market in 2026, pending appropriate approvals.

Loyal is also building a longitudinal biobank of saliva and blood samples from dogs participating in the STAY study. The biobank aims to facilitate the development of future products and further support the company’s research into improving longevity in dogs and, ultimately, in humans, too.

Despite his age, Boo still competes in a canine sport called "scent work" and seems to love having something stimulating to do. “That’s one of the reasons I enrolled him,” said Deb Hanna, Boo’s owner, in the release.

 “It could help other dogs, including my younger dogs someday. It’s very important. I think anybody that has an older dog that could participate would jump at the chance.”

Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals participating in the STAY study will begin enrolling additional dogs over the coming months. Dog owners interested in enrolling their senior dogs in STAY can learn more on the study’s website at https://loyalfordogs.com/clinical-trials.

Loyal launches nationwide, 1,000-dog clinical trial for drug to extend healthy lifespan in senior dogs. News release. Loyal. February 1, 2024

Coppock K. FDA determines drug for lifespan extension in large dogs to have a Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness. 

. November 28, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/fda-determines-drug-for-lifespan-extension-in-large-dogs-to-have-a-reasonable-expectation-of-effectiveness

Articles

The first canine patient has been dosed in the study that aims to demonstrate an increase in longevity and quality of life in dogs treated with LOY-002 

A clinical trial is launched for a novel drug that could extend healthy lifespan in senior dogs 

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: Denise S. Rollings, AAS, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)

What's that Smell? Understanding Periodontal Disease Part 2

Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy: What You Need to Know

: Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD; and Valerie A. Fadok, DVM, PhD Diplomate, ACVD

Frustrating Otitis Cases Got You Shaking Your Head?

Implementing Appropriate Topical Therapy Into the Multimodal Approach of your Allergic Patients

Ophytrium® in Dermatology: When, Where and Whys of Using Douxo® S3 Topical Therapies

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Feeding the Equine Immune System: The Good and Bad Gut and Immune Health Connection

Implementation and Interpretation of Canine Genetic Screening in General Practice

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The Key to a Successful Chronic Kidney Disease Cat: Managing the Two A's

Identification of Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Regenerative Therapy Options

Canine Osteoarthritis: What'sNew, What works and What is the Science?

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Maximizing the Minimum Database: Diagnostics With a Twist in the Tail

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Flex Forecast: February 2024

It is not often that a veterinary surgeon is performing spay and neuters on patients. It happens, but probably not as much as general practitioners, leaving a majority of the responsibility to them. However, when issues that could be life-threatening, such as pyometra, occur in patients, general practitioners may be looking for tips and tricks to help avoid pyometra. 

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Shadi Ireifej, DVM, DACVS, shares 5 tips that general practitioners can implement at their practice to help clinics possibly see fewer pyometra cases with our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA. 

 One of the pearls I like to stress when I give pyometra talks is surgical exposure. It's all too often that very experienced, well-intentioned general practitioners will try to create as small an incision as possible for their spay. And it looks impressive, it's quicker surgery because less closing time, the pet owner loves the tiny incision which means [their pet] is not going to be in that much pain postoperatively, [and] less chance of complications. However, if you are trying to operate on a large breed dog or a deep-chested dog, and you're working in those caverns, you need to not be shy about making a larger incision in order to get access to the ovarian tissue and that uterus. You don't need to overdo it, you should be adequate. You can always make your incision longer if you need to start small and go longer, but that's point No. 1. 

Point No. 2 is retraction. So I'm fortunate as a boarded surgeon, that usually I have all the bells and whistles. I got all the toys, I can have 3 assistants in there if I want to right to retract stuff and hold things. That's  me. Most spays are done by general practitioners. They're not going to have the staffing for that, nor the toys. So you need to have not only a big incision, as seems realistic for that dog that size a dog but also need to retract either have somebody, or something, push those organs aside, you can actually visualize the ovaries in that gutter or self-retracting Balfour retractors. Great solution. 

Podcasts

Learn how to have precision without the fuss and pus from Shadi Ireifej, DVM, DACVS, on this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast 

5 hacks to the Pyometra

Three men were detained Saturday morning after an anonymous tip led the Miami-Dade Police Department to an illegal veterinary clinic, with 2 of the men being taken into custody. The tip allegedly came from a pet owner who had brought their dog to the illegal clinic for a procedure. The dog developed an infection related to the procedure and was taken to a different veterinary clinic, where a licensed veterinarian had to amputate its tail. Miami-Dade Police Department’s Medical Crimes Unit worked in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Animal Services and The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to execute a search warrant.

“A warrant was served on this property, and what our investigators encountered was a line of vehicles, and animals and patients ready to be seen by these unlicensed veterinarians,” said Andre Martin, Miami-Date Police Department Public Information Officer.

Two men were arrested and identified as David Blondin, 68, and Robert Hernandez Ferra, 48. They are now accused of practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Officers on the scene disclosed that there were 8 patients outside of the home waiting for veterinary care. When the men were detained and later taken into custody, no animals were being held within the home, and were all returned to their owners safely.

According to local reporting, the third detainee, who was also the homeowner where the illegal clinic was being run, was a licensed veterinarian who allegedly used his credentials to obtain prescription drugs for the unlicensed individuals. However, Blodin and Ferra were running the day-to-day operations within the clinic. Investigators at this time could not confirm how much the homeowner was involved in the illegal clinic, but he was home at the time the search warrant was executed.

Martin told CBS News that the illegal clinic had been operating for many years with its clients hearing about it from word of mouth.

 The clinic was also a cash-only business, which is speculated to be a way for the business to fly under the radar. To local police, this case should be a warning to pet owners to be careful where they are bringing their pets and to make sure it is safe.

“Whenever you're going to take your pet to a veterinary clinic, our pets are like our family members, they're like our children for some people, they're members of our family, they're very important to all of us and we should do everything in our power to make sure that they're getting the best care possible by people who are licensed," Martin disclosed.

"If you walk into a business, a veterinary clinic, a veterinary hospital or emergency room, you should feel good about where you're taking your animal[s]. If you see things that are unsanitary, such as this operation that was being operated out of an efficacy, out of a home, that's probably not the place to take your pet," Martin concluded.

At this time, no one was officially charged, but the 2 men taken into custody could face felony charges and the homeowner could have his veterinary license revoked. Local police are asking local pet owners who may have brought their pets to the clinic, or know of any other illegal veterinary practice, to reach out to the Miami-Dade Police Department. If they prefer to remain anonymous, tipsters can call the Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

Morejon L, Weddle C, Mackey R. Police: 2 arrested after being accused of running illegal veterinary clinic in southwest Miami-Dade. WPLG Local 10. Published January 27, 2024. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/01/27/police-3-detained-after-being-accused-of-running-illegal-veterinary-clinic-in-southwest-miami-dade/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wplg10

Jaquith O. Miami-Dade Police arrest two men accused of running unlicensed veterinary clinic. NBC 6 South Florida. Published January 27, 2024. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-dade-police-arrest-two-men-over-unlicensed-veterinary-clinic/3217841/

Geisel H. 3 detained, 2 arrested and charged with operating unlicensed veterinary clinic in Southwest Miami-Dade. CBS Miami. Published January 27, 2024. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/3-detained-2-in-custody-for-allegedly-operating-illegal-veterinary-clinic-in-southwest-miami-dade/ 

Three men were detained after an anonymous tip was received that they were running an animal health clinic without a license

Unlicensed veterinary clinic shut down in Florida 

a deep dive with dr andrew rosenberg

In this segment of dvm360 Live!™, Andrew Rosenberg, DVM, DACVD, talks about the challenges of balancing multiple roles as a veterinarian, father of twins, husband, and mentor. He also shares his passion for veterinary dermatology and the joy he finds in teaching and mentoring the next generation. In addition, he and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, highlight the importance of cytology in diagnostics and treatment planning for dermatology cases.

Below is a partial transcript. Check out the full video above for more: 

: I had pretty severe allergies and asthma as a kid, and I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I was in vet school and we started learning immunology and the immunologic basis for allergy and other issues, I really had such an interest in it...And I wanted to...not just to learn about it, but to help animals that were suffering with something similar.

Videos

Learn how Dr Rosenberg balances multiple roles as a veterinarian

A deep dive with Dr Andrew Rosenberg

Interview with Andrew Rosenberg, dvm, dacvd

Examining antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary dermatology

On this segment of dvm360 Live!™, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Andrew Rosenberg, DVM, DACVD, discuss antimicrobial stewardship and the practice of responsibly using antimicrobials. By adhering to principles of antimicrobial stewardship, veterinarians can minimize the risk of resistance development, protect the health of their animal patients, and contribute to the broader effort to safeguard the effectiveness of these essential medications for current and future generations.

Below is a partial transcript. Check out the full video above for more:

: One of the hottest topics we've ever seen around antimicrobial resistance right now is this idea of biofilm. Biofilms are when groups of bacteria or yeast can conglomerate together on the surface of the skin or even inside the ear, and they embed themselves in this slime layer. When they're embedded in that slime layer, they're resistant to lots of different antibiotics, physical stresses, [and] chemical stresses. When we think about these biofilms, you want to think about products that can actually disrupt these biofilms and make it easier to kill those microorganisms.

Discussing how bacteria can form biofilm and the products that can disrupt this layer