For Your Dog’s Health
We know that your dog's health is important to you. The information here will be helpful whether your dog is healthy or affected by a disease. Please remember that the information contained here cannot substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
Dog Health Articles: the articles below contain more detailed information on canine health issues. They can be filtered by research area.
Focus on Canine Cancer Research April 1, 2012
Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis for both humans and our beloved canine companions. There are 77.5 million owned dogs in the United States and a fourth will develop cancer - including those in the bone, breast, pancreas, liver, prostate, lung, and skin.
Leonberger Loses Fight with Hemangiosarcoma But Owners Battle On April 1, 2012
One morning, Einstein, an 8 ½ year old Leonberger, failed to make his way upstairs in anticipation for his morning walk. The unfortunately diagnosis was hemangiosarcoma. Unlike some of the other canine sarcomas, hemangiosarcomas are very invasive, fast-growing tumors that often migrate to the spleen, heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, muscle, lymph nodes or skin.
Become Snake-Smart to Protect Your Dog March 1, 2012
Shy and rarely aggressive, snakes bite only when injured or sensing a threat - such as defending themselves against curious dogs.
Understanding Transmission of Leishmaniasis in Foxhounds February 27, 2012
There is now a better explanation of why so many Foxhounds are infected with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. Scientists from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa investigated whether it might be possible for a female Foxhound infected with leishmaniasis to spread the infection to her puppies.
Canine Tick-Borne Disease February 27, 2012
Thousands of dogs are infected annually with dangerous tick-transmitted diseases. Learn more about common ticks and tick-borne diseases, and how you can protect your dog.
Liposomal Clondronate as a Treatment for Malignant Histiocytosis February 1, 2012
Because of its devastating effects on a number of highly loved dog breeds, the AKC Canine Health Foundation sponsors a great deal of research on the diagnosis and treatment of malignant histiocytosis. One such study, initiated by scientists at Colorado State University, has identified a potentially useful new therapeutic option – liposomal clondronate.
Oh, That Flexible Neck February 1, 2012
Part 2 in a Series on Posture: So, what are some of the reasons our dogs have trouble standing comfortably or “stacking” correctly? The upper neck, the feet, and dentition/skull shape turn out to be the biggest players in abnormal posture, because they are areas rich in nerve cells that report on the body’s relationship to gravity, especially that of the head and neck.
Malignant Histiocytosis - Counting Copies January 23, 2012
By looking for DNA copy number aberrations in dogs with histiocytic cancers – genes that express abnormally few or far too many copies – researchers have begun to identify some of the genetic factors that may be putting dogs, and people, at risk.
Improving Treatments for Atypical Hyperadrenocorticism January 9, 2012
Researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville have looked at a treatment that could effectively help dogs with the atypical form of hyperadrenocorticism. Working with cultured human adrenal tumor cells, since canine cell lines aren’t available, they have identified a combination of two compounds – melatonin and lignan – which in preliminary studies looks like they might be able to bring many cases of atypical hyperadrenocorticism under control.
Overview of Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) January 2, 2012
Intervertebral disk disease is degeneration and protrusion of the intervertebral disk that results in compression of the spinal cord, spinal nerve, and/or nerve root. It is a common cause of spinal cord disease in dogs.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.