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Exploratory evaluation of equine placental extract supplementation on ageing indicators in geriatric dogs: a single-arm pre-post study.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recent advances in preventive veterinary healthcare, nutritional management, and owner engagement have extended the longevity of domestic dogs. However, this increased lifespan has led to a higher prevalence of age-associated physiological and functional decline. Equine placental extract contains a variety of bioactive constituents, with reported antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Although the use of equine placental extract in veterinary practice is expanding, empirical evidence supporting its effects on ageing-related clinical outcomes in dogs remains limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 28 days of oral equine placental extract supplementation on ageing status, vitality, appetite, and safety in geriatric dogs using a single-group pre–post design. Accordingly, 20 client-owned geriatric dogs aged > 11 years received daily oral equine placental extract supplementation; and longitudinal changes in clinical ageing scores, owner-assessed vitality and appetite, haematological and biochemical parameters, and safety outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Daily equine placental extract supplementation significantly reduced ageing-level assessment scores, with the median (interquartile range) values decreasing from 24.0 (15.0–29.0) at Day 0 to 21.5 (12.0–23.0) at Day 14 and 18.0 (10.5–21.5) at Day 28. Vitality and appetite, assessed using a 10-point visual analogue scale, increased from 5.0 ± 1.2 to 6.7 ± 1.5 and 7.5 ± 2.0, and from 5.3 ± 1.5 to 7.1 ± 1.3 and 8.4 ± 1.7, respectively, across the same timepoints. No significant changes were observed in body weight, rectal temperature, or haematological and biochemical parameters. Two adverse events occurred—one episode of haematuria occurring prior to the intervention and one fatality suspected to be attributable to rodenticide ingestion. Neither was considered related to the intervention. Exploratory physical activity monitoring was conducted; however, no statistical analysis was performed due to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Oral equine placental extract supplementation for 28 days was associated with improvements in ageing-related clinical scores, vitality, and appetite in geriatric dogs. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating, and do not establish efficacy. Equine placental extract may have potential as a supportive intervention for age-associated decline; however, further controlled studies are required. Adequately powered, controlled trials are required to confirm its efficacy and clarify underlying mechanisms.
Publication Date: 2026-04-15 PubMed ID: 41987225PubMed Central: PMC13202951DOI: 10.1186/s12917-026-05475-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study explored the effects of 28 days of oral equine placental extract supplementation on ageing signs, vitality, appetite, and safety in older dogs aged over 11 years.
- The research used a single-group pre-post design and found improvements in clinical ageing scores, increased vitality and appetite, with no major safety concerns reported.
Background and Rationale
- Longevity of domestic dogs has increased due to advances in veterinary healthcare and nutrition, leading to more age-related physiological and functional declines.
- Equine placental extract contains biologically active compounds with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help mitigate ageing-related declines.
- Despite growing veterinary use, there is limited scientific evidence about its effects on ageing outcomes in dogs.
- The study aimed to provide preliminary data on the impact of this supplement on ageing indicators in geriatric dogs.
Study Design and Methods
- A single-arm (no control group) pre-post design was used, meaning all 20 dogs acted as their own controls, measuring changes before and after supplementation.
- Participants were 20 client-owned dogs older than 11 years, reflecting a geriatric population.
- Dogs received daily oral equine placental extract supplementation over 28 days.
- Measurements collected included:
- Clinical ageing scores (objective assessments of ageing-related symptoms)
- Owner-assessed vitality and appetite via a 10-point visual analogue scale
- Body weight and rectal temperature
- Haematological and biochemical blood parameters
- Safety outcomes, including monitoring for adverse events.
- Physical activity was monitored but not statistically analyzed due to a small sample size.
Key Findings
- Ageing scores improved significantly over the study period:
- Median ageing score decreased from 24.0 at baseline to 21.5 at Day 14 and 18.0 at Day 28, indicating less severe ageing signs.
- Owner-assessed vitality increased:
- Scores rose from an average of 5.0 at baseline to 6.7 at Day 14 and 7.5 at Day 28.
- Appetite also improved significantly:
- Averaged 5.3 at baseline, increasing to 7.1 at Day 14 and 8.4 at Day 28.
- No significant changes were observed in body weight, rectal temperature, or blood parameters, suggesting supplementation was safe and well tolerated.
- Two adverse events occurred in the study period:
- One haematuria episode occurred before starting supplementation and was unrelated to the intervention.
- One death was suspected due to accidental rodenticide poisoning, not linked to the supplement.
Interpretation and Conclusions
- The supplementation was associated with improvements in some ageing-related clinical outcomes, vitality, and appetite in older dogs.
- The open-label, single-group pre-post study design limits the ability to definitively attribute improvements to the supplement, as placebo effects or natural variation cannot be excluded.
- Results are preliminary and should be viewed as hypothesis-generating rather than confirming efficacy.
- Further research, especially randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, is necessary to confirm these findings and understand mechanisms of action.
- The safety profile appeared favorable over 28 days of supplementation.
- Physical activity data were collected but insufficient for analysis, suggesting future studies could explore this dimension more robustly.
Implications for Veterinary Practice and Future Research
- Equine placental extract shows potential as a supportive nutritional intervention to help mitigate ageing-related declines in elderly dogs.
- Veterinarians considering its use should be aware of the limited controlled evidence and the need for further validation.
- Future controlled studies should include:
- Larger populations with control groups and blinding to reduce bias.
- Longer follow-up periods to assess sustained effects and safety.
- Objective measures of physical activity and functional status.
- Investigation into the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of action of equine placental extract in canine ageing.
Cite This Article
APA
Morita N, Hirano E.
(2026).
Exploratory evaluation of equine placental extract supplementation on ageing indicators in geriatric dogs: a single-arm pre-post study.
BMC Vet Res, 22(1), 311.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-026-05475-y Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Marketing Department, Japan Bio Products Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.
- Medical Affairs Department, Japan Bio Products Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan. ehirano@placenta-jbp.co.jp.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dogs / physiology
- Aging / drug effects
- Female
- Horses
- Dietary Supplements
- Pregnancy
- Placental Extracts / pharmacology
- Placental Extracts / administration & dosage
- Appetite / drug effects
- Male
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The experimental protocol was reviewed and approved by the institutional animal ethics committee of Shokukanken Inc. (Shokukanken Inc. Animal Experimentation Committee; Approval Number: AW24Jul002O). Prior to the commencement of the study, written informed consent was obtained from the owners of all animals involved. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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