Liver Health Research Grants
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) supports research into liver health in dogs, focusing on understanding the causes of liver issues and developing treatments to improve the well-being of dogs with liver conditions.
Why We Focus on Liver Health
Liver and gallbladder diseases are common in dogs and can cause serious, long-term health issues. Many of these conditions are unique to dogs, and understanding their molecular and genetic causes is key to developing effective treatments. Research in this area aims to identify early indicators of liver dysfunction, discover novel therapeutic drugs, and improve overall outcomes for dogs affected by liver disease. With advancements in research, we hope to not only treat liver diseases more effectively but also prevent them, giving affected dogs the chance for longer, healthier lives.
Research Grants
Liver Health ● $233,211.00
03429: Characterization of Copper Associated Hepatopathy in Labrador Retrievers: A Multi-omics Approach
Breed(s): Labrador Retriever
Researcher(s): Tarini Vedantham Ullal, DVM, MS
Liver Health ● $149,525.00
03367: How genetics, environmental exposures, and the enteric nervous system influence gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs.
Breed(s): Beagle, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Pomeranian, Pug, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Sponsor(s): Very Philanthropic Breed Club
Liver Health ● $79,396
03113: Investigation of Candidate Genetic Variants for Copper-associated Hepatopathy in the Dalmatian
Breed(s): Dalmatian
Researcher(s): Andrew Mason, PhD
Sponsor(s): Dalmatian Club of America Foundation, Inc.
Liver Health ● $37,172
03143: Causative Role of Xenobiotic Exposures in Canine Gallbladder Mucocele Formation
Breed(s): Beagle, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Pomeranian, Pug, Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Jody Gookin, DVM, PhD
Liver Health ● $14,863
03030-A: Evaluation of Serum C-reactive Protein as a Noninvasive Biomarker of Inflammation and Disease Severity in Dogs with Gallbladder Mucocele
Breed(s): Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Pomeranian, Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Cynthia Leveille-Webster, DVM
Sponsor(s): American Miniature Schnauzer Club
Liver Health ● $14,999
03028-A: Characterizing Immunohistopathology and Serum Immunoglobulin G in Immune-Mediated Chronic Hepatitis Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Sarah Shropshire, DVM, PhD
Liver Health ● $22,500
02683: Treatment of Idiopathic Chronic Hepatitis and Copper Associated Hepatopathy in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Sarah Shropshire, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Bedlington Terrier Club of America, Bedlington Terrier Wellness and Rescue Association, Inc.
Liver Health ● $220,333
02544: Medical Resolution of Gallbladder Mucocele Formation in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): American Miniature Schnauzer Club, Border Terrier CECS/Genetics Research Fund, Border Terrier Club of America, Border Terrier Club of America Health and Scholarship Foundation, American Shetland Sheepdog Association, Bull Terrier Club of America
Liver Health ● $9,148
02644-A: Evaluation of Gallbladder Motility in Dogs with Hyperlipidemia
Breed(s): Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Stefanie DeMonaco, DVM, MS
Sponsor(s): Border Terrier Club of America, American Shetland Sheepdog Association
Liver Health ● $14,904
02363-A: Platelet Function in Dogs with Chronic Liver Disease
Breed(s): American Cocker Spaniel, Bedlington Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, English Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Skye Terrier, West Highland White Terrier
Researcher(s): David L. Panciera, DVM
Sponsor(s): Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.
Liver Health ● $107,668
02297-MOU: Understanding the Genetics of Hepatic Copper Toxicosis in the Dalmatian
Breed(s): Dalmatian
Researcher(s): Andrew Lawrence Mason, PhD
Sponsor(s): Dalmatian Club of America Foundation, Inc.
Liver Health ● $135,354
01986: Profiling the Metabolic and Lipid Imbalances that are Causative of Gallbladder Disease in Dogs
Breed(s): American Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, English Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Hoffman Miniature Schnauzer Donor Advised Fund, Border Terrier Club of America, American Shetland Sheepdog Association, Collie Health Foundation, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Liver Health ● $66,042
01601: Identifying the Genetic Cause of Fatal Neonatal Liver Disease
Breed(s): Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever, Hovawart, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever
Researcher(s): Peter A.J. Leegwater, PhD
Sponsor(s): Irish Wolfhound Club of Norway, The Irish Wolfhound Club, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc.
Liver Health ● $70,283.58
00960: Identification of Genes That Cause Liver Copper Toxicosis
Breed(s): Bedlington Terrier
Researcher(s): Andrew Mason, PhD
Sponsor(s): Bedlington Terrier Club of Greater Chicago, Marcia St. Lifer, Bedlington Terrier Club of America
Liver Health ● $189,489
00963: Genotyping Small Breed Dogs with Portosystemic Vascular Anomalies and Microvascular Dysplasia
Breed(s): Shih Tzu
Researcher(s): Sharon A. Center, DVM
Sponsor(s): Cairn Terrier Association of Ontario, Havana Silk Dog Association of America, Norwich and Norfolk Terrier Club, Tibetan Spaniel Club of America, American Shih Tzu Club, Inc., Havanese Club of America, The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Inc., Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Foundation, Inc., American Maltese Association, American Miniature Schnauzer Club, Papillon Club of America, The Foundation of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, Bichon Frise Club of America, Inc., Pug Dog Club of America, Inc., Scottish Terrier Club of America
Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health
With over $1.5 million invested in liver health studies, your support helps fund critical research that improves treatments and outcomes for dogs with liver disease.
