Giving Birth to Breakthrough Ideas for Animal Health

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious health problem in pets. This disease affects over 20% of dogs and a growing number of cats in the US. Canine osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease characterized by pain and inflammation in a dog’s joints. Age, wear and tear or prior injury can cause destruction of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the bones that form the joint leading to a painful state for the animal. Osteoarthritis is incurable, but treatments like physical therapy, weight control and the use of analgesics and corticosteroids to relieve pain and improve function can improve the dog’s life. Unfortunately long-term use of these medications can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure and in extreme cases, death. LEARN ABOUT ECPF-1

Periodontal Disease is the same in companion animals as in humans. The earliest stage of the disease is known as gingivitis and is characterized by redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums. Most pet owners notice the bad breath of their pets but at this stage the periodontal disease is already advanced. Advanced periodontal disease is characterized by deepened pockets around the teeth, tissue loss and eventually tooth loss. Despite the fact that periodontal disease in the pet population can be slowed by daily tooth brushing, most pet owners are not aware of this simple fact. The optimal approach would be to target the patient's inflammation response and slow the breakdown of structural elements in the gum tissue. ECPF-2, is a novel, specific, safe, water-soluble metalloprotease inhibitor that veterinary dentists and pet owners can use as an adjunct to current scaling and root planing therapies.LEARN ABOUT ECPF-2