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In science, progress is measured in small steps along the way to major discoveries. By consistenly funding the most innovative research, the AKC Canine Health Foundation is realizing both small milestones and major breakthroughs in canine health. All our successes show progress towards our goal to prevent, treat and cure canine disease.
Thank you for your role in making these successes possible!
With the help of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Dr. Douglas H. Thamm and his colleagues from Colorado State University have been investigating the possible role of a protein known as survivin in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Certain dogs experience what are known as refractory (or refractive) corneal ulcers – ulcers which may take up to six months to heal, and for which existing treatments are not consistently effective. Scientists from Ohio State University set out to investigate whether a simple tetracycline treatment might be an effective way to reduce healing time of refractive corneal ulcers.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis recently set out to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of a new blood test for pancreatitis and compare it to several other blood tests that might be useful in detecting the disease.
Lois and Bill Hall's German Shepherds Hawk and Trax both benefitted from research funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation. In Hawk's case, he was confirmed not to have Degenerative myelopathy (DM). Trax was not as lucky - losing his life to Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). However a CHF funded study extended his life and is helping to find the genetic cause of TCC.
Several CHF funded researchers presented their latest advancements in canine cancer research at the National Parent Club Canine Health Conference on August 12-14, 2011.
The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have left lasting impacts on the American population. While many human rescuers are showing respiratory health problems a decade later, their canine colleagues have had minimal setbacks, according to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine 9/11 Medical Surveillance study.
You can make contributions to support the specific research grants that match your interests or greatest health concern.
Your help is needed with canine health research. DNA and tissue samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by certain diseases.