Heartworm Disease

In this edition of genome barks we hear from Dr. Betsy Sigmon, founder of Creature Comfort Veterinary Hospital, who discusses the signs and symptoms of heartworm disease. Additionally, Dr. Sigmon discusses the current treatment recommendations for this preventable disease. To learn more about heartworm disease and to access the information shared in this podcast, visit these resources:

Heartworm Society -- animation of development of heartworms
Parasite Prevalence Maps -- search for heartworm incidence by state and county
Heartworm Q & A -- questions and answers from NCSU college of vet medicine cardiology service

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

The Purebred Dog as an Ideal Cancer Research Model

In this edition of Genome Barks, Dr. Nick Duesbery, Co-Director of the Van Andel Research Institute’s Center for Comparative Biology and Genetics, discusses the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC), a national alliance of researchers with a common hope of improving the health and welfare of humans afflicted with rare tumors, and canines affected with the same respective cancer. Dr. Duesbery credits a CHF research grant for helping set the groundwork for what eventually grew into the CHCC. CHCC researchers are unraveling the genetic causes of several cancers, including but not limited to: hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, melanoma, malignant histiocytic sarcoma, and lymphoma.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Osteosarcoma

In this edition of Genome Barks we hear from Dr. Snaevar Sigurdsson of the Broad Institute who discusses his research of genetic risk factors for osteosarcoma. Dr. Sigurdsson and his team are specifically looking at the Greyhound and other large breed dogs that have a higher incidence of osteosarcoma. After completing a genome-wide scan of the Greyhound, Dr. Sigurdsson and his team are now looking at the possibility of a tumor suppressive gene that may aid in better diagnosis and provide breeders with key genetic information.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Testing and Submitting Canine DNA Samples

In this edition of Genome Barks we hear from Dr. Roe Froman, a practicing veterinarian and a researcher at the Van Andel Institute in their Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC). Dr. Froman discusses the importance of testing and submitting DNA samples to organizations like the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), and how dog owners and clubs can encourage sample collection from both healthy and affected dogs.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Coat Color Genetics

In this edition of Genome Barks we hear from Dayna Dreger, a Ph. D. student at the University of Saskatchewan. Dreger discusses agouti signaling proteins (ASIP) and how testing for agouti alleles offers breeders / owners the opportunity to determine possible coat color outcomes from specific matings.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Canine Herpes Virus (CHV)

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you an interview with Dr. Eric Ledbetter, an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Dr. Ledbetter discusses Canine Herpes Virus (CHV) and the signs and symptoms in dogs and puppies.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN)

In this edition of Genome Barks we hear from Dr. Kari Ekenstedt who discusses Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN). Through her research Dr. Ekenstedt, along with a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota, the University of Bern, and the University of California San Diego, has identified a genetic mutation that points to the early onset of inherited LPN. In identifying this genetic mutation, Dr. Ekenstdet has been able to develop a genetic test for the leonberger breed. By testing leonbergers, an early diagnosis can be made and carriers of the mutation can be identified for breeding purposes.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Health Testing Canine Breeding Stock

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you an interview with Dr. Jerry Bell, Clinical Associate Professor of Genetics at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and a small animal veterinarian at Freshwater Veterinary Hospital in Enfield, CT. Dr. Bell discusses the importance of testing canine breeding stock to screen for preventable genetic diseases.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) and Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP)

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you an interview with Dr. Alison Starr, a scientific investigator at the Clemson Canine Genetics Research Group, which studies hereditary diseases in the domestic dog. Dr. Starr has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and her current research is focused on the development of genetic tests to help predict and screen for Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD), a bone disease that usually affects young, rapidly growing, large breed dogs, and Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP), a disease that results in the abnormal deformity of the ball of the hip joint and usually occurs in young miniature and small breeds of dogs. For both HOD and LCP, Dr. Starr is hoping to discover the gene or genes responsible for these diseases so that genetic tests might be developed as a tool for producing better and healthier dogs.

The Genetics of Canine Behavior

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you and interview with Dr. Mark Neff, scientific investigator and Director of program for canine health and performance at the Van Andel Research Institute. Dr. Neff has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and his current research is focused on neurological and behavioral disorders in the dog.

In this podcast Dr. Neff discusses how researchers are learning about the genes responsible for behaviors like pointing and herding and how understanding the principals of the mind can help them understand the intrinsic reward system that motivates dogs to do what they do.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.