For Your Dog’s Health
We know that your dog's health is important to you. The information here will be helpful whether your dog is healthy or affected by a disease. Please remember that the information contained here cannot substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
Dog Health Articles: the articles below contain more detailed information on canine health issues. They can be filtered by research area.
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.
Canine Tick-Borne Disease February 27, 2012
Thousands of dogs are infected annually with dangerous tick-transmitted diseases. Learn more about common ticks and tick-borne diseases, and how you can protect your dog.
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.
Oh, That Flexible Neck February 1, 2012
Part 2 in a Series on Posture: So, what are some of the reasons our dogs have trouble standing comfortably or “stacking” correctly? The upper neck, the feet, and dentition/skull shape turn out to be the biggest players in abnormal posture, because they are areas rich in nerve cells that report on the body’s relationship to gravity, especially that of the head and neck.
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.
Improving Treatments for Atypical Hyperadrenocorticism January 9, 2012
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.
Overview of Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) January 2, 2012
Intervertebral disk disease is degeneration and protrusion of the intervertebral disk that results in compression of the spinal cord, spinal nerve, and/or nerve root. It is a common cause of spinal cord disease in dogs.
Canine Dental Health Care January 1, 2012
Canine dental disease starts with unremoved plaque, a pale yellow film formed by bacteria adhering to tooth surfaces. Plaque build-up turns into tartar (calculus), an accumulation of bacteria that eats away at teeth and gums and can cause halitosis, periodontal disease, oral pain and tooth loss.
What is Posture and Why Should We Care about it? December 9, 2011
In all animals the ability to stand quietly at rest is critically important for health and soundness. Many dog owners don’t realize that the reason their dogs flop down on the ground as soon as they come to rest may be that they have postural problems that make it uncomfortable or tiring to stand up for very long.
Looking for a New Treatment for Refractive Corneal Ulcers December 7, 2011
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.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
