Tick-Borne Disease Research
The AKC Canine Health Foundation is tackling the growing threat of tick-borne diseases in dogs by funding research to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment before these diseases become debilitating or fatal.
Why We Focus on Tick-Borne Disease
As the geographical range of tick species in North America expands, the incidence of tick-borne diseases in dogs and people continues to rise, making it a growing public health concern. Accurate, early diagnosis of these diseases, including co-infections, is essential for comprehensive and effective treatment. Tick-borne diseases can be challenging to identify, as symptoms may be subtle or overlap with other conditions, often leading to delays in proper care.
Understanding why some infected dogs remain asymptomatic while others develop severe, life-threatening illness is a critical area of focus. This knowledge will enable veterinarians to provide more targeted treatment and preventative care. Additionally, identifying factors that influence the severity of these diseases will help improve early intervention strategies and reduce the impact of tick-borne diseases on canine health. This research aims to advance both prevention and treatment methods, ensuring a healthier future for all dogs.
Research Grants
Tick-Borne Disease ● $100,244
02981: Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of Peptide Epitopes from Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys with Potential to be Used as Vaccine Candidates
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Sreekumari Rajeev, BVSc, PhD
Sponsor(s): American Black & Tan Coonhound Club, Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc., Irish Setter Club of America Foundation, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation
Infection & Immunity, Tick-Borne Disease ● $68,524
02983: Enhanced Detection and Characterization of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Species in Dogs and Ticks with Focus on a Novel Rickettsia Species Infecting Clinically Ill Dogs in the U.S.
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Barbara Qurollo, DVM, MS
Sponsor(s): American Black & Tan Coonhound Club, American Pointer Club, Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc.
Tick-Borne Disease ● $14,805
02978-A: Babesia Species in Thrombocytopenic Dogs in the Upper Midwest, USA
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Erin W. Lashnits, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): American Boxer Charitable Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $52,317
02819: Identification of Bartonella henselae In Vivo Induced Antigens for Development of a Reliable Serodiagnostic Assay for Canine Bartonelloses
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Edward B Breitschwerdt, DVM
Sponsor(s): English Setter Association of America, Inc., Versatility in Poodles, Inc., American Brittany Club, Golden Retriever Foundation, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Samoyed Club of America Education & Research Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $160,677
02831: Mechanisms of NK(T) Cell Mediated Inflammation during Canine Lyme Disease
Breed(s): English Springer Spaniel, Foxhound, Hunting and Sporting Breeds
Researcher(s): Christine A Petersen, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Merck Animal Health, Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc.
Tick-Borne Disease ● $103,245
02553: Targeted Next Generation Sequencing Panel for Comprehensive Testing of Vector-borne Pathogens
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Rebecca Wilkes, DVM
Sponsor(s): Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America, Australian Terrier International, Boston Terrier Club of America, Papillon Club of America, Rhodesian Ridgeback Charitable Foundation, American Chesapeake Club, Inc., Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc., Irish Setter Club of America Foundation, Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Samoyed Club of America Education & Research Foundation, United States Australian Shepherd Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $120,983
02528: Developing a Next Generation Sequencing Diagnostic Platform for Tickborne Diseases
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Pedro Diniz, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Club de l’Epagneul Breton of the United States, American Chinese Crested Club, American Pointer Club, American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association / Foundation, Health & Rescue Foundation of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America, Rhodesian Ridgeback Charitable Foundation, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, American Chesapeake Club, Inc., Irish Setter Club of America Foundation, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, United States Australian Shepherd Foundation
Hemangiosarcoma, Tick-Borne Disease ● $219,026
02519: Prevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Dogs with Cardiac and Splenic Hemangiosarcomas within and between Geographic Locations
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Edward B Breitschwerdt, DVM
Sponsor(s): Saluki Health Research, Inc., Vizsla All Star Review, Vizsla Club of America, Weimaraner Foundation Fund Corporation, American Bullmastiff Association, American Pointer Club, Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, Briard Club of America/ BCA Health & Education Trust, Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation, English Setter Association of America, Inc., French Bulldog Club of America, Irish Setter Club of Milwaukee, Inc., Leonberger Health Foundation, SCWTCA Endowment, Inc., Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America, Inc., Versatility in Poodles, Inc., American Bloodhound Club, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc., Jeffrey Pepper, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc., Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $12,960
02386-A: Surveillance of Hepatozoon americanum In Populations of the Gulf Coast Tick Vector
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Andrea Varela-Stokes, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): AKC Reunite
Tick-Borne Disease ● $207,526
02383: Identifying Cellular Mechanisms of Inflammation During Canine Tick‐Borne Diseases
Breed(s): Basset Hound, Beagle, English Springer Spaniel, Foxhound
Researcher(s): Christine Petersen, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Treeing Walker Breeders & Fanciers Association, Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation, Irish Setter Club of Milwaukee, Inc., American Boxer Charitable Foundation, Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc., Irish Setter Club of America Foundation, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, United States Australian Shepherd Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $60,717
02292: Broad-Range Detection of Canine Tick-Borne Disease and Improved Diagnostics Using Next-Generation Sequencing
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Pedro Paul Diniz, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Rhodesian Ridgeback Charitable Foundation, American Chesapeake Club Charitable Trust, Golden Retriever Foundation, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Rottweiler Health Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $103,013
02287: Enhanced Testing for the Diagnosis of Bartonellosis in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Edward B. Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM
Sponsor(s): Golden Retriever Foundation, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation
Tick-Borne Disease ● $15,000
02295-A: The Role of Lymphocytes in Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Mary Anna Thrall, DVM, MS
Tick-Borne Disease ● $12,960
02285-A: Thrombocytopenia and Occult Vector-Borne Disease in Greyhound Dogs: Implications for Clinical Cases and Blood Donors
Breed(s): Greyhound
Researcher(s): Linda Kidd, DVM, PhD
Tick-Borne Disease ● $14,148
02284-A: Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevalence, Clinical Illness, and Prognosis
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Thomas Wittum, MS, PhD
Sponsor(s): Treeing Walker Breeders & Fanciers Association, Health & Rescue Foundation of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., Rhodesian Ridgeback Charitable Foundation, Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, Golden Retriever Foundation, United States Australian Shepherd Foundation, Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation
Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health
With over $1.1 million supporting tick-borne disease studies, CHF is committed to improving the health of dogs and their families. Your support helps advance critical research to combat these growing health risks.
