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Funded ResearchHealth Resources
How to Apply
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Participation Needed
Review request from researchers on samples needed to conduct specific research. Research Area: Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease Chronic degenerative valve disease is the most common heart disease that affects dogs. To date, the cause of this disease has remained elusive. It is known that the collagen that provides much of the support in the valve is damaged in diseased valves. One popular theory is the existence of an imbalance between the proteins that break down collagen and those that prevent collagen breakdown. The proposed study will determine the difference in the balance between these proteins in normal cultured valve cells and valve cells cultured from diseased leaflets. Differences that exist between normal and diseased valve cells will help target future research projects and aid in determining the cause of this prevalent disease process. We are requesting mitral valve tissue from dogs that have died or have been euthanized that have significant degenerative mitral valve disease. This valve tissue will be used to culture cells from the tissue in order for us to study this disease from a cell culture perspective. For inclusion in the study, dogs need to have a diagnosis of degenerative mitral valve disease from their veterinarian (if echocardiography findings are available, those should be provided as well) and the owner needs to be willing to let their referring veterinarian remove the mitral valve from the dog after it dies or is euthanized. The tissue should be removed within 2 hours of death or euthanasia. At this point we are not studying a specific breed so any dog diagnosed with mitral valve disease is qualified to enter the study. We are requesting the anterior mitral valve leaflet (the larger leaflet most associated with the septum and aorta) but if there is any confusion the entire mitral valve can be shipped and we can collect the anterior mitral valve leaflet once it arrives here. The sample should be shipped in phosphate buffered saline. If needed, we can ship tubes of phosphate buffered saline for sample collection. The sample should be shipped on ice overnight to the address below. Please contact Dr. Heaney if you need additional information. Allison M. Heaney, DVM Research Area: Canine Diabetes Mellitus Canine diabetes mellitus is a common disorder of middle to older age dogs and Samoyed and Australian Terrier dogs are at increased risk for this disease. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, the Australian Terrier Club of America, the Samoyed Club of America Education and Research Foundation, and the San Joaquin Kennel Club are working to determine if there are differences in the genetics of diabetic and control dogs. Dr. Rebecka Hess is conducting the study and needs the help of Samoyed and Australian Terrier owners. The study requires drawing 15 ml of blood (3 tablespoons) from your dog. This can usually be arranged with your local veterinarian. Please contact Dr. Hess with your name, phone number, and e-mail address and provide her with the name of your veterinarian and with their phone number. She will contact you and your veterinarian and arrange for FedEx pickup of the blood sample at a time convenient for you and your local veterinarian. There will be no expense involved for the owner. Blood samples are being collected from any Samoyed and Australian Terrier diabetic dog and also from any Samoyed or Australian Terrier dog that is 7 years of age or older that does not have diabetes. Contact information for coordinating the samples: Research Area: Vaccine-Induced Allergic Reactions Allergic reactions continue to be the most common adverse event associated with vaccination in dogs. Recent research has demonstrated that small dogs in general, and several specific breeds, are at higher risk for these reactions. Laboratory studies have shown that normal dogs make antibodies against many vaccine components, even though they may not show an allergic reaction immediately following vaccination. Although the specific cause of allergic reactions in dogs remains unknown, vaccine components residual from the manufacturing process have been incriminated. These specific components need to be identified, so that manufacturers can make safer vaccines for dogs. Researchers including Dr. George Moore at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine – with funding provided by the AKC Canine Health Foundation – are looking to identify causes of vaccine-induced allergic reactions. Using serum from dogs of high-risk breeds, this study will compare antibody concentrations in dogs demonstrating allergic reactions versus antibody concentrations in dogs of the same breed that don’t have reactions. To complete this study, samples are urgently needed from 5 high-risk breeds including the Dachshund, Pug dog, Chihuahua, Boston Terrier, and Miniature Pinscher. For samples from dogs that meet the eligibility criteria, veterinarians can email the investigators their mailing address at: k9vaxrxn@purdue.edu. Postage-paid mailers will be sent to the veterinarian for return of the serum sample to the laboratory at Purdue. For more information, please visit their website: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/k9vaxrxn/. |
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AKC Canine Health Foundation 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27675-9061 (919) 334-4010 |
