
Exceptional
Longevity Database:
Tracking the Oldest-old Dogs
We
hope you will take advantage of this
unique opportunity – the chance for you
and your Rottweiler to participate in
trailblazing research to better understand
the process of aging ... in pets and in
people.
An
Aging Research Initiative by The Center
for Exceptional Longevity Studies, Gerald
P. Murphy Cancer Foundation and The Center
on Aging and Life Course, Purdue
University West Lafayette, Indiana
INVESTIGATORS: Seema S. Kengeri,
MPH, Database Coordinator; Deborah
Schlittler, DMV, Study Coordinator; David
J. Waters, Principal Investigator, DVM,
PhD
GOAL
Investigators at the Center for
Exceptional Longevity Studies of the
Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation are
building the first nationwide database of
exceptionally old dogs. We are honored to
include your dog as a part of this unique
effort – to better understand aging and
the factors that influence exceptional
longevity in dogs and humans. Initially,
the database will include only
Rottweilers, but we expect that, in the
near future, long-lived dogs of other
breeds will be included.
RATIONALE
What factors contribute to exceptional
longevity? How can we combat the aging
process? Researchers at the Gerald P.
Murphy Cancer Foundation and Purdue
University's Center on Aging and the Life
Course are trying to answer these
questions. And now veterinarians at the
Murphy Foundation's Center for Exceptional
Longevity Studies are seeking your help in
putting Rottweilers to work to solve the
puzzle of aging. We are testing a new idea
– that the secrets to successful aging
in humans can be found by carefully
studying the oldest-old dogs. To
accomplish this, we are establishing The
Exceptional Longevity Database that will
gather information and then track the
oldest-old dogs living among us.
CRITERIA
FOR ELIGIBILITY : 13 YEARS IS THE LUCKY
NUMBER!
If you now own or have ever owned a
Rottweiler who has reached 13 years of
age, we want to know all about your
dog.... because your dog has lived as long
as a 100 year old person! We will use a
questionnaire to collect information about
diet, physical activity, body weight, and
medical conditions of your dog. We will
request that you complete one
questionnaire for each eligible Rottweiler
that has reached at least 13 years of age.
Then each "centenarian
Rottweiler" will be followed closely
by investigators to see how long he/she
lives.
HOW
TO OBTAIN A QUESTIONNAIRE
If your dog's longevity qualifies
him/her to be included in The Exceptional
Longevity Database, please download a one page informational sheet entitled
"Lucky Number 13: Rottweilers as
Guide Dogs to the Fountain of Youth".
Once you print this form out, please
return the completed form to the study's
coordinator, Seema S, Kengeri, by mail or
fax to:
The
Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies
Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation
3000 Kent Avenue, Suite E2-100
West Lafayette, IN 47906
fax: (765) 775-1006
email: seema@gpmcf.org
As
another option, you may wish to e-mail this information to
us. Please send the comp Then we will provide you
with the questionnaire to complete so
important information about your dog's
life history can be analyzed.
All
information collected by investigators at
the Center for Exceptional Longevity
Studies will be kept confidential.
Your name will be kept anonymous and
separate from the information you provide
to us. The success of this research
depends directly upon your cooperation and
the accuracy of the information you
provide.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, contact
Seema S. Kengeri, MPH, Coordinator of The
Exceptional Longevity Database, at seema@gpmcf.org
or call (765) 775-1032.
Thank
you for your interest in this important
research study on aging in Rottweiler
dogs.
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