Animal research benefits animals. Animal health and care continue to advance as a result of biomedical research. Dog and cat longevity and health are enhanced by medicines and vaccines. Research contributes to farm animal welfare and techniques to save endangered species.

Most human diseases exist in at least one other animal species. Veterinary treatments for diabetes, cancer and arthritis are based on corresponding therapies for people developed through animal research. Nearly 90% of the veterinary medicines that are used to treat animals are the same as, or very similar to, those developed to treat human patients.

Additional animal benefits include:

• Vaccines against distemper, rabies, feline leukemia virus, and parvovirus
• Treatments for cancer
• New techniques for traumas and surgery
• Antibiotics to treat infections
• Bioengineering advances (pacemakers, hip replacements, imaging technology, prosthetic paws and legs, etc.)
• Prevention and treatment for dog heartworm
• Breeding programs for endangered species

 

The “Boomerang Effect"

Scientists often develop breakthroughs for human conditions that later translate to innovative care for pets, livestock, and wildlife. Some examples of the “boomerang effect" include organ transplants, seizure medications, cardiac pacemakers, eye surgery, diabetes control, laser treatment, heart disease management, advanced dentistry, pain management, vaccines, antibiotics, ultrasound, MRI, CAT scan, physical rehabilitation and thyroid treatments among many other examples.

 

Unexpected Benefits

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections are major causes of death in cats in the US. However, a vaccine is available to prevent these diseases. In 1978, there was a sudden outbreak of a virus affecting dogs that caused bloody vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and frequently, death in 91% of dogs. This disease is called canine parvovirus. Because of work already done with cat parvovirus, a vaccine for canine parvovirus was developed, tested, and made available for use within just a year. This is now recognized as one of the most significant success stories in modern veterinary science.

 

For more information and a much longer list of animal health and vaccine benefits, please see the AnimalResearch.info pages on Veterinary Medicine.

 

Examples of Medical Research that Benefits Animals

ANIMALS

Vaccine Development  Anthrax Blue Tongue in Sheep Brucellosis in Cattle Chlamydia in Cats Distemper in Dogs and Cats E.coli Infections in Pigs Equine Encephalitis Equine Rhino Virus Equine Influenza Feline Leukemia Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle Hog Cholera Infectious Bronchitis in Birds Infectious Hepatitis in Dogs Kennel Cough Lyme Disease Newcastle Disease in Poultry Parvo Virus in Dogs Pneumonia Complex in Cats Potomac Horse Fever Rabies Tetanus

Treatments  Antibiotics Artificial Joints for Dogs Blood Transfusions Cancer Cataracts Glaucoma Heart Disease Hip Dysplasia Kidney Transplants Lameness in Horses Orthopedic Surgery Pacemakers Pet Cancer Vitamin Deficiency Disease Parasites: Giardiasis Heartworm Hookworm Leptospirosis External Parasites: fleas lice mites ticks

Research   Allergies Artificial Insemination Cancer Embryo Transfer Techniques Epilepsy Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Improved Pain Killers Inherited Diseases Pet Food Nutrition Prosthetic Limbs Tooth and Gum Disease

For more information and a much longer list of animal health and vaccine benefits, please see the AnimalResearch.info pages on Veterinary Medicine.

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