Digestive Health Research
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) funds research to better understand the causes of digestive health issues in dogs and develop treatments that improve their health and quality of life.
Why We Focus on
Digestive Health
Digestive health issues, such as pancreatitis, motility disorders, and imbalances in gut bacteria, can cause severe discomfort and illness in dogs, affecting their overall well-being and quality of life. Research into the causes and treatments of these conditions is essential to help dogs live healthier, more comfortable lives.
Research Grants
Digestive Health ● $19,974
03259-A: Screening for Genetic Variants Using Whole Exome Sequencing in Dogs with Protein-losing Enteropathy
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Sara Jablonski, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): American Brittany Club, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Pug Dog Club of America, Inc.
Digestive Health ● $82,863
03158: The Associations between Circulating Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids and the Fecal Microbiome and Metabolome with the Development and Severity of Canine Acute Pancreatitis
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Sharon Kuzi, DVM and Michal Mazaki-Tovi, DVM
Digestive Health ● $57,352
03124: Synbiotic-IgY Modulates MicroRNA Expression and Microbiota in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Albert E. Jergens, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Irish Setter Club of America Foundation
Digestive Health ● $21,636
03140: Efficacy and Tolerability of Gelatin Tannate (Tasectan®) in Canine parvovirus-infected Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Ran Nivy, DVM
Digestive Health ● $21,883
02900: Optimizing Storage Conditions of Canine Feces for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Arnon Gal, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Bedlington Terrier Wellness and Rescue Association, Inc.
Digestive Health ● $107,825
02899: How do Maternal, Environmental, and Genetic Factors Contribute to Acquisition and Evolution of the Enteric Microbiome in Dogs?
Breed(s): German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever
Researcher(s): David Williams, PhD
Sponsor(s): American Miniature Schnauzer Club, Chihuahua Club of America, Health & Rescue Foundation of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., Irish Wolfhound Foundation
Digestive Health ● $13,964
02859-A: Acute Gastrointestinal Injury in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Tracy Hill, DVM, PhD
Digestive Health ● $14,896
02861-A: Cardiovascular Complications of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Harry Cridge, MVB, MS
Sponsor(s): Health & Rescue Foundation of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America, Welsh Terrier Club of America, Inc.
Digestive Health ● $12,085
02684-A: Evaluation of Serum Zonulin as a Non-invasive Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Dogs with Chronic Canine Enteropathy
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Jamie J. Kopper, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Irish Setter Club of America Foundation, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation
Digestive Health ● $57,930
02709: Identification of Genetic Risk Factors Contributing to Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Breed(s): Dachshund, German Shepherd Dog, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback
Researcher(s): Leigh Anne Clark, PhD
Sponsor(s): Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America, Great Dane Club of America Charitable Trust, Akita Club of America, Inc., Irish Setter Club of America Foundation
Digestive Health ● $8,677
02742-A: Assessing Microvasculature for Intestinal Viability in Obstructed Small Intestines and Effects of Resection and Anastomosis Techniques
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Penny Regier, MS, DVM
Sponsor(s): Golden Retriever Foundation
Digestive Health ● $46,440
02523-MOU: Identifying the Genetic Basis of Protein Losing Enteropathy in Yorkshire Terriers
Breed(s): Yorkshire Terrier
Researcher(s): Kenneth W. Simpson, BVM&S, PhD
Sponsor(s): The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Inc., Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Foundation, Inc.
Digestive Health ● $152,270
02338: The Genetics of Bloat in German Shepherd Dogs: The Roles of Immune System Genes and the Gut Microbiome
Breed(s): German Shepherd Dog
Researcher(s): Michael Alan Harkey, PhD
Sponsor(s): The Robert Alan Braley Rev Tr, American Bouvier des Flandres Club – Bouvier Health Foundation, American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Digestive Health ● $12,960
02233-A: Evaluation of a Novel Technique for Gastric Decompression in Dogs with Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): J. Brad Case, DVM, MS
Sponsor(s): Borzoi Club of America, TarTan Gordon Setter Club, American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Inc., Briard Club of America/ BCA Health & Education Trust, English Setter Association of America, Inc., Great Pyrenees Club of America, Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc.
Digestive Health ● $233,774
01935-B: Abnormalities in the Stomach’s Ability to Contract Predisposes Large-Breed Dogs to Bloat
Breed(s): Bloodhound, German Shepherd Dog, Gordon Setter, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Standard Poodle, Weimaraner
Researcher(s): Bryden J. Stanley, BVMS, MVetSc.
Sponsor(s): American Black & Tan Coonhound Association, Poodle Club of America Foundation, Afghan Hound Club of America, Inc., Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America, Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, Mastiff Club of America, Akita Club of America, Inc., American Bloodhound Club, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health
With over $2.4 million invested in digestive health studies, your support helps drive important discoveries and brings us closer to better treatments for dogs impacted by these conditions.
