THE STAGES of the Institute’s veterinary research correspond with those outlined in Current Projects.
Early-stage veterinary projects include compromised cognition in dogs and separation anxiety in dogs.
- As a consequence of aging, cognition in dogs often becomes compromised. As such, dogs become less alert, mentally dysfunctional, and display characteristics similar to older humans who are losing contact with their environment.
- Highlighting the value of Institute formulations regarding cost effectiveness in research and development, the agent to treat separation anxiety in dogs is similar to the one being developed to treat depression and anxiety in humans.
Mid-stage projects include the treatment of equine heaves, kennel cough in dogs, periglandular fibrosis in horses, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in young horses and pigs.
- Consistent anecdotal data from private veterinary practices shows efficacy in the treatment of both equine heaves and canine kennel cough and now justifies a formal evaluation with placebo-controlled trials.
- Periglandular fibrosis is a condition which prevents mares from conceiving or carrying a fetus to term. Seven out of ten horses receiving treatment were bred and they carried five foals to term. Pre- and post-treatment biopsies on ten additional mares demonstrated proof-of-concept as they revealed a significant reduction in scar tissue.
- A blinded trial has been successfully completed and licensing negotiations have begun for an agent to treat horses and pigs with OCD, a defect in connective tissue of young animals that compromises their athletic performance or their ability to stand, and thus may significantly decrease an animal’s value.
A late-stage project includes collaborative work with Milkhaus Veterinary Products, Inc., for the development of LDI-100, the agent for the treatment of malignancies.
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