Celebrating the Breakthroughs Shaping the Future of Canine Health. Meet the 2025 Canine Health Discovery Award Finalists.

Kidney & Bladder Health Research

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) supports research into the causes and treatments of kidney and bladder diseases in dogs.

Why We Focus on Kidney & Bladder Health

Kidney and bladder diseases can have a major impact on
a dog’s overall health and quality of life. These conditions can develop due to a variety of factors, including genetics, metabolic imbalances, and environmental influences. Research is critical to identifying these unique risk factors, understanding the processes that lead to kidney damage, and developing biomarkers that predict disease progression. By studying these factors, we can create more effective treatments and improve the health outcomes for dogs affected by these conditions, helping them live healthy, vibrant lives.

Research Grants

University of Minnesota Logo
2025 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $13,467.65
03410-A: Short Chain Fatty Acids and Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Emily Coffey, DVM, PhD
Texas A&M University Logo
2024 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $61,248
03281-MOU: Kidney Disease in Shetland Sheepdogs
Breed(s): Shetland Sheepdog
Researcher(s): Mary B Nabity, DVM, PhD
North Carolina State University Logo
2024 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $33,020.41
03020-T: Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Autumn N Harris, DVM, DACVIM
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Logo
2023 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $109,788
03106: Clinical Validation of Urinary miR-126 as a Marker of Immune Complex- Mediated Glomerulonephritis in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Mary B Nabity, DVM, PhD
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Logo
2023 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $32,727.00
02807-MOU-T: Characterization of Renal Disease in Greyhound Dogs
Breed(s): Greyhound
Researcher(s): Jessica Anne Hokamp, DVM, PhD
University of Florida Logo
2022 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $47,622
03020: Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Autumn Harris, DVM, Darcy Adin, DVM, Andrew Specht, DVM, and Kristen Cooke, DVM
University of Montreal Logo
2022 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $45,097
03021: Judicious Antibiotic Use in Cases of Canine Pyelonephritis
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Marilyn Dunn, DVM, MS
The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine Logo
2022 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $49,761
03026: Evaluation of the Efficacy of Antioxidant Treatment on Active Kidney Damage and Oxidative Stress
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Gilad Segev, DVM and Hilla Chen, DVM
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Logo
2020 Active Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $36,181
02807-MOU: Characterization of Renal Disease in Greyhound Dogs
Breed(s): Greyhound
Researcher(s): Jessica Hokamp, DVM, PhD
University of Missouri Logo
2018 Closed Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $10,000
02556-MOU: Identification of the Molecular Genetic Cause for Cystinuria in Irish Terriers
Breed(s): Irish Terrier
Researcher(s): Gary S. Johnson, DVM, PhD
The Ohio State University Logo
2018 Closed Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $56,693
02437-MOU: Characterization of Renal Disease in American Boxer Dogs
Breed(s): Boxer
Researcher(s): Jessica Anne Hokamp, DVM, PhD
The Ohio State University Logo
2016 Closed Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $40,506
02263-MOU: Characterization of Kidney Disease in Dalmatians
Breed(s): Dalmatian
Researcher(s): Rachel E Cianciolo, VMD, PhD
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Logo
2015 Closed Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $26,988
02152: Translation of MicroRNA into an Early Diagnostic Test for Chronic Kidney Disease
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Mary B Nabity, DVM, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2014 Closed Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $11,493.36
02110-A: Investigating the Effects of an Infusion of Fenoldopam on Kidney Function to Improve Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury Patients
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Jonathan D Foster, VMD
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Logo
2014 Closed Grant
Kidney & Bladder Health $108,243
02066: Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Mary B Nabity, DVM, PhD

Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health

With over $1.7 million invested in kidney and bladder health research, your support helps fund critical research to improve the lives of dogs affected by these conditions.