Dog days: The experience of a clinical trial for a dog and his family
On a ski day in Winter Park in 2024, Tara and Jason Rowe were riding a chairlift when they ran into their neighbor, Steph. The chairlift chat soon turned to Ralph, the couple’s 13-year-old mixed-breed rescue dog. Normally comfortable on ski trips, Ralph had been restless and anxious – pacing, panting, forgetting he had dinner. Just not himself.
Coincidentally, their neighbor was Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a Colorado State University veterinarian specializing in neurology. As the Rowes described their dog’s symptoms, McGrath began to think Ralph might be developing dementia; she told the Rowes about a study she was leading at the CSU Veterinary Hospital into canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. A month later, Ralph joined the clinical trial.
The Rowes, both CSU alumni, have had Ralph for more than a decade, and he has been part of nearly every family adventure. They’ve shared countless camping trips and everyday moments with Ralph by their side. But over the last few years, the Rowes have noticed changes as Ralph has aged; his behavior on the ski trip made it clear something serious might be happening.
Read the full article here.
Authors: Brooke Garcia
Source: https://source.colostate.edu
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