Overcoming Challenges in Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between Human and Veterinary Medicine.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Translational Medicine
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Companion animals (dogs, cats) are increasingly recognized for their value in translational medicine.
• They naturally develop diseases mirroring human conditions like cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders.
• Unlike traditional models, their shared environment and lifestyle with humans offer unique research advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the utility of companion animals as models in translational medicine.
• To explore their role in enhancing novel therapy development and clinical trials.
• To identify challenges and propose solutions for integrating them into research.

Main Methods:

• Review of current research on companion animals in translational medicine.
• Analysis of disease parallels between companion animals and humans.
• Examination of challenges in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Main Results:

• Companion animals provide naturally occurring models for a range of human diseases.
• Their inclusion in clinical trials can improve the assessment of novel therapies.
• Significant communication barriers exist between veterinary and human medicine.

Conclusions:

• Companion animals are crucial for advancing translational medicine and the One Health initiative.
• Enhanced interdisciplinary training and unified efforts are needed to bridge the gap between veterinary and human medicine.
• Standardizing terminology and fostering collaboration will optimize research outcomes.