BFCA has
donated over $37,000 in the past to help fund research projects that are
pertinent to the health and future of Bichons. Donations from owners or
friends of Bichons are encouraged so this can continue. See our
Donate/Memorial and Boutique areas for more details. Here is information on
current research.
Current, ongoing studies that BFCA has helped to fund
- Dr. Herman Hazewinkel in The Netherlands
is studying patella luxation in dogs. Although his study is of Flatcoated
Retrievers, the data can be transferred to other breeds now that the canine
genome is mapped. His goal is to develop a DNA-screening test for patellar
luxation, which would be of great value to Bichons.
- Dr. Bruce Hammerberg at North Caroline
State University is trying to develop an assay (blood test) for prediction
of risk of allergic disease in dogs. Since allergies/skin problems are the
number one health problem in Bichons, this study is paramount. The first
phase of this study is completed, but further definitive work and testing
remains, specifically the need for more blood samples. Bruce is requesting
our assistance in sending blood samples via your veterinarian from Bichons
with a diagnosis of allergies, the parents of the affected dog, and any
offspring. If you can help, contact him via email at
Bruce_Hammerberg@ncsu.edu or phone 919-513-7712 for more details.
- Dr. Kirk Gelatt at the University of
Florida has been searching for the DNA marker for the Bichon juvenile
cataracts for several years. His published paper on his findings so far can
be found on this web site at
http://bichonhealth.org/HealthInfo/CataractInheritance.asp.
Send blood samples and pedigrees for any cases to him via your
ophthalmologist.
- The Rabies Challenge Fund has been
established by Dr. W. Jean Dodds, world-renowned vaccine researcher and
practicing veterinarian, and Kris L. Christine, a pet vaccine disclosure
advocate. The fund will support a 7-year canine rabies vaccine challenge
study in the US and a rabies vaccine adverse reaction reporting system.
Rabies vaccination is required by law in most states to be administered
every 1-2 years, yet some studies indicate the one-year vaccine may be
effective for at least 3 years. Researchers believe the rabies vaccine
causes the most frequent and worst adverse reactions in animals. See this
web site for more information:
http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/rabiesChallenge.html
Future research that BFCA plans to help fund
Bladder stones: Another pertinent study that BFCA will donate funds
toward, if CHF approves the grant, is regarding bladder stones by Dr.
Joe Bartges at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has been
involved in bladder stone research for many years, and now has interest
in studying Bichons. He discovered that Bichons develop calcium oxalate
stones at a younger age (sometimes as young as 1 year) compared to other
breeds (usually 7-8 years of age), and that Bichons seem to be more
difficult to treat. As you probably know, calcium oxalate stones are
genetic and struvite stones are caused by diet and/or bladder infection,
so are not genetic. Struvite stones can be dissolved with diet,
antibiotics, and vitamin C supplements. Calcium oxalate stones cannot be
dissolved so must be removed surgically, which is a hardship for the
owners and the dogs who suffer with the pain and frequent bloody
urination from the stones. His goals include discovering why Bichons
develop these stones at a younger age (do Bichons have a metabolic issue
that causes this?), how we can improve prevention and treatment, and
finding a DNA marker that could determine increased risk in forming
these stones. Breeders would benefit by being able to eliminate from
their breeding programs Bichons that have increased risk in forming
calcium oxalate stones. Judging from the frequency of emails about
Bichons with calcium oxalate stones that the BFCA Health Committee
receives from our web site, some Bichons requiring multiple surgeries
for the stones, there is great need to work toward preventing this
disease.
Liver shunts: Dr. Sharon Center, the chief investigator at
Cornell, is the top canine liver expert in the USA who is devoted to
this research. Portosystemic vascular anomalies (PSVA) and microvascular
dysplasia (MVD) are related genetic disorders of the liver circulation
that afflict a number of small purebred dogs, including Bichons. This
trait causes high serum bile acid (SBA) values. Their goal is to
identify a genetic marker that will allow informed breeding strategies
to significantly reduce trait frequency.
Canine Genome Research
at the Ostrander Lab
The Ostrander Laboratory at the National Human Genome Research Institute
at NIH is soliciting donations of blood samples from pure bred dogs for
canine health research. Our aim to use these samples as part of a
larger dataset used to find genes important in disease susceptibility
and progression, as well as to understand the genetic basis of canine
body shape and size. Our lab has active projects focused on finding
genes for several types of cancer, hip dysplasia, addison’s disease,
osteoarthritis and complex morphologic traits. Finally, we are
interested in understanding the architecture of the canine genome and
the historical relationships between breeds.
We are seeking 10-20
blood samples from “unrelated” dogs of each breed for inclusion in our
studies. For the purposes of our research dogs are considered unrelated
if they do not share any common parents or grandparents. In addition to
a blood sample we ask that you provide the name and sex of the dog, AKC
or other registration number, owner contact information, and a signed
consent form.
In order to include
your breed in our studies of canine morphology we are also seeking a set
of body measurements. Measurements can be completed in about 10 minutes
for most dogs and provide tremendously valuable data for our research.
An instruction sheet is included with the blood draw kit as well as
illustrations and a tape measure to make the process quick and easy.
If you would like to
participate please contact Dana Mosher, Ostrander Lab Samples
Manager, for a sampling kit by phone (301-451-9390) or email (mosherd@mail.nih.gov).
Each
kit contains a one-page consent form, a pair of vials for collecting
5-10 cc of blood at your veterinarian’s office, and instructions for
handling the blood. The collection kit comes in a small cardboard
mailer tube that protects the blood vials. A return address label is
included so that the forms and blood can be sent back to the lab
conveniently. Blood can be mailed at room temperature without cold
packs.
All genetic and
contact information collected for each dog will remain confidential.
Specifically, your participation in the study, your dog's pedigree,
health information you provide, and any data we get from your dog's DNA
sample will not be disclosed to any breeders, Club personnel, the AKC,
or the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
Our work would not
be possible without the participation of responsive owners and club
members like you. If you have any questions please contact Dana Mosher,
Ostrander Lab Samples Manager at
mosherd@mail.nih.gov
or (301) 451-9390. For information about the Canine Genome Project in
the Ostrander lab and for links to recent publications, please visit our
website at
http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/dog_genome/.
We thank you all for your supporting canine health research!
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