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Success Stories
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!
New System Developed for Studying B-cell Cancers February 15, 2013
With the help of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Dr. Daisuke Ito and colleagues set out to find an alternative to traditional cell culture techniques for studying DLBCLs. Instead of creating a DLBCL-like cell artificially, using viral infection, they wanted to find a way to grow and maintain the diverse collection of B-cells found in an actual canine cancer.
Selecting First-Choice Anti-Seizure Medications for Dogs February 15, 2013
Epilepsy is a medical condition found in both dogs and humans. The seizures it causes can be quite dangerous, and although it is often treatable, there has been some debate over which anti-epileptic drug (AED) is most effective.
The Role of Oxidative Stress in IMHA January 15, 2013
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a major cause of severe anemia in American dogs. IMHA occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys oxygen-carrying red blood cells (RBC), leading to symptoms including exhaustion, weakness, and panting. However, although scientists have known for years that the immune system destroys the RBCs in dogs with IMHA, they still have no idea what prompts it to attack.
There for Each Other – Relationships Between Humans and Dogs on Search and Rescue Teams November 20, 2012
Search and Rescue teams perform incredibly important, and incredibly stressful, work. However, until recently, there has been little research on how the stresses of the job affect the mental health of the humans and dogs performing it. Researchers recently determined that a factor that significantly increased depression and PTSD symptoms in handlers was having a dog who became sick or died. Interestingly, shifting of the bond between dog and handler did not only affect the humans. Changes in the health of human handlers also affected the well-being of their dogs.
Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy – No Easy Answers June 1, 2012
Researchers have been investiging whether any of the genes that had tentatively been linked to epilepsy in either humans or mice might be associated with idiopathic epilepsy in dogs.
Hunting for Hereditary Diseases in the German Shepherd May 15, 2012
A research team has determined whether genome-wide association studies using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can be used to identify the chromosomal regions associated with four common diseases seen in German Shepherd Dogs.
Survivin’ Canine Osteosarcoma April 24, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
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You can make contributions to support the specific areas of research that match your interests or greatest health concern.
Participation Needed
Your help is needed with canine health research. DNA and tissue samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by certain diseases.
