Canine dysautonomia (CD) is an uncommon disease of young dogs that has an unknown cause and high fatality rate. The disease occurs in diverse breeds in rural areas of the USA (especially MO, KS, CO, and WY). CD is associated with exposure to soil and results in extensive neurodegeneration in the autonomic nervous system. The researchers aim to identify the cause and mechanisms of CD with the future goal of improved diagnostic, preventive, and treatment approaches. They will test the research hypothesis that CD is caused by a novel soil-borne, neurotoxin-expressing bacterium.

The preliminary data includes evidence supporting a specific Clostridial bacterial strain that is associated with cases of CD; these bacteria were isolated from the dog’s environment and/or fecal samples. Aim 1 will study whether these bacterial isolates are specifically linked with CD. In Aim 1A, the investigators will characterize the bacterial isolates by studying genetic sequence and the proteins expressed to seek evidence of novel neurotoxin sequences. In Aim 1B, the investigators will complete a prospective clinical study of CD and control dogs to seek ongoing evidence of an association with disease. Aim 2 independently addresses the blood metabolic changes in CD, which will increase understanding of disease mechanisms. The studies use a combination of traditional research approaches as well as state-of-the art proteomics and metabolomics methodologies. The combined approach will yield significant improvement in understanding of CD and impacts on canine health for all breeds.