Articles & Newsletters
The AKC Canine Health Foundation Library is a comprehensive list of all the canine health articles available on this website. You can search for an article by research area or breed. The information is divided into four sections:
Articles Available for Download (PDF)
Discoveries - the award-winning newsletter of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, published quarterly.
e-Newsletter - view the archives of our e-Newsletter
Canine Health Articles
The Future of Vector-Borne Disease Testing September 20, 2021
Next generation sequencing (NGS) may revolutionize vector-borne disease testing in veterinary medicine since it can rapidly detect the relative amounts of infectious organism DNA in dog blood samples.
Promising Drug Treatment for Brain Tumors September 10, 2021
A novel drug that activates programmed cell death in many cancer cells was well tolerated in dogs and may be effective against meningioma – cancer of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Gut Microbiome Recovery in IBD August 27, 2021
Recovery of the gut microbiome – both its composition and function – takes much longer than improvement of clinical signs in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Chagas Disease Risk for Dogs in a Kennel Environment August 10, 2021
CHF-funded research documented a surprisingly high incidence or risk of infection for Chagas disease in dogs housed in 10 different kennels in Texas
New Genetic Test Helps Breeders Manage Dwarfism in Great Pyrenees July 30, 2021
The Great Pyrenees Club of America collaborated with CHF to explore the genetics underlying dwarfism in their breed.
Canine Health Resources Available for Download (PDF)
The Quiet Ones May 6, 2021
Profile of Duane and Connie Butherus from the May 2021 issue of the Canine Chronicle.
Boxer Update - Spring 2021 - DNA Disease Testing March 30, 2021
Purina ProPlan Boxer Update (Spring 2021) - Boxer DNA Tests: An Understanding of Heart and Neurologic Diseases
Preserving a Bloodline - Smart Steps to Address Canine Pyometra March 23, 2021
Learn about medical and surgical management of canine pyometra. (Used with permission from Today’s Breeder, Nestlé Purina PetCare.)
Dog Update - Spring 2021 - Osteoarthritis March 11, 2021
Osteoarthritis in dogs benefits from early diagnosis and treatment.
Rottweiler Update - Spring 2021 - Hemangiosarcoma Research February 26, 2021
Purina ProPlan Rottweiler Update (Spring 2021) - Rottweilers may benefit from hemangiosarcoma research.
Success Stories
The Big (and Small) Six February 12, 2014
Recently researchers determined that approximately half of the weight differences seen across dog breeds can be explained by variations in and around only six genes. Studies such as this one can provide insight into some of the size differences seen in humans as well as growth-related health concerns in dogs and humans.
Investigating Influenza February 10, 2014
In the middle of winter, it sometimes seems like everyone is down with the flu. However, humans aren’t the only species that can suffer from influenza. Dogs can get it too, and a few years back a novel strain of influenza began showing up in the canine population. With the support of the AKC Canine Health Foundation researchers set out to track the virus across the United States.
Using Technology to Track Disease January 13, 2014
Leptospirosis, which is caused by a waterborne parasite, can infect both dogs and humans. Without effective treatment, it can cause serious kidney and liver damage. It can even lead to death. Researchers from the University of California-Davis have been investigating the spread of leptospirosis using specialized mapping programs.
New Treatment Goes After Notoriously Tough Cancer Stem Cells November 25, 2013
Canine hemangiosarcoma is relatively common in companion animals. It is also relatively difficult to treat, as they quickly become resistant to conventional forms of therapy. Scientists from the University of Minnesota wondered if targeted toxins might be an effective way of addressing cancers. The results were quite promising.
Expanding Our Understanding of Exercise-Induced Collapse May 16, 2013
Once the a genetic test was available for EIC, it quickly became clear that the existence of the DNM1 mutation didn’t explain all cases of EIC. Some Labrador Retrievers with EIC didn’t have both copies of the mutation, others didn’t have copies at all. Therefore, the scientists from the University of Minnesota and the University of Saskatchewan who had developed the test set out to determine if they could understand whether the EIC seen in dogs without the mutation was really the same condition.
Discoveries
The award-winning print newsletter of the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Providing in-depth information on canine health research and education.
Discoveries Fall 2019 October 16, 2019
Topics include some of the latest scientific updates from the 2019 AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference.
Discoveries Summer 2019 July 15, 2019
Topics include the microbiome-gut-brain axis and epilepsy, canine atopy, Calming Care probiotic, and researcher spotlight on Dr. Karen Munana.
Discoveries Spring 2019 April 17, 2019
Topics include personalized medicine for canine mast cell tumor treatment, diagnosing tick-borne disease, the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program, and a donor spotlight featuring Carolyn and Gary Koch.
Discoveries Winter 2019 January 16, 2019
Topics include mitral valve disease, working dog cognition, and 2018 annual award winners
Discoveries Fall 2018 October 15, 2018
Topics include the 9/11 Medical Surveillance Study, CHF's Hemangiosarcoma Research Initiative, and researcher Dr. Cindy Otto.
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.
