This project extends the investigator’s recently completed AKC Canine Health Foundation grant (01840) studying 12 breeds to identify major differences in the degree to which spay or neuter may be related to an increase in joint disorders (hip dysplasia; cranial cruciate ligament tear) and/or cancers (lymphoma; hemangiosarcoma; and mast cell tumor). The original breeds studied were: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog,
Identifying Cellular Mechanisms of Inflammation During Canine Tick-Borne Diseases
Tick-borne diseases are found in all 50 states of the United States and are the most common vector-borne disease diagnosed in people in the US. The predominant disease is Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and related species (sensu lato). Other important canine tick-borne diseases include those caused by Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis), Babesia canis, Babesia conradea and Babesia gibsonii (Babesiosis), and Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffiensis and Ehrlichia ewingii (Ehrlichiosis).
Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevalence, Clinical Illness, and Prognosis
Lyme disease (or Borreliosis) is a bacterial disease of dogs and humans that is transmitted by tick bites. In people, Lyme is the most common tick-transmitted disease in the US, with over 25,000 cases in 2014.
Identification of a Novel Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Gene and Its Underlying Disease Mechanism
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in dogs and affects almost all breeds. Genetics is likely to play a major role in seizure risk, and gene discovery remains as an important goal to better understand the disease and its treatment.
Investigating a Ketogenic Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Supplement for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy and Its Behavioral Comorbidities
Canine epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition, often requiring lifelong medication with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Despite appropriate treatment with available AEDs, seizure freedom may not always be achievable.
Identification of Genetic Risk Factors for Canine Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic diseases of dogs and a top concern of dog breeders. In spite of strong evidence that genetics is important in determining the risk of the common idiopathic epilepsy, numerous gene mapping studies have failed to identify a locus that accounts for that risk in either dogs or humans.
Canine Epilepsy: Genetic Variants, Biomarkers, and New Therapies
Epilepsy is a significant seizure disorder affecting all dog breeds. It is the most common chronic nervous system disorder in dogs, with a prevalence of 0.5% – 5.7%, resulting in approximately 2 million affected dogs in the USA.
Neurostimulation: A Groundbreaking New Treatment for Canine Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a debilitating condition that affects a large number of dogs, resulting in premature death and distress for their owners. For many dogs the underlying cause is unknown.
Mapping of Genetic Risk Factors for Canine Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia is a common developmental disorder of the hip joint that severely affects a dog’s quality of life. As the disease has several genetic risk elements and is influenced by environmental factors like diet and exercise, it is of paramount importance that genetic association studies are conducted using adequately-sized cohorts of genotyped diseased and healthy animals.
Development of a Regenerative Medicine Technique to Treat Cartilage Disorders in Dogs
Osteochondrosis is a common and debilitating disease affecting large, athletic dogs. Osteochondrosis is caused by abnormal endochondral ossification, the process by which growth plate cartilage adjacent to joint surfaces transitions from cartilage to bone.
