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Research Update CHF 02783 FINAL: Transcriptional Profiling of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) encompasses a number of neoplasms that are derived from mesenchymal cells including fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. In the dog, STSs arise frequently in the dermis/subcutis and represent up to 15% of the neoplasms in this location. Our primary aim of this grant was to collect cases of canine STS for histologic and gene expression analysis which we have completed. During all three years of the grant, we had excellent recovery rates from formalin-fixed tissue and have begun to generate sequencing data that can be layered onto the histologic findings and patient demographics.

FINAL, Research Update Transcriptional Profiling of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Research Update CHF-02107 Final: Landmark Clinical Trial to Establish the Evidence-Based Use of Regenerative Medicine to Treat Tendon Injury in Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Due to COVID-19, laboratory and hospital closure halted the trial until January 2021. Since that time, the researchers have not had owners with appropriate cases agree to enroll in the study. Major sources of cases are athletic dogs such as agility dogs. Due to COVID-19, agility and other trials were halted. When starting back up in late Spring/early summer of 2021; the formerly busy caseload for supraspinatus tendinopathy has not yet returned. The researchers anticipated a lag between the beginning of agility trials and injury to the canine athlete’s shoulders, however, within the last 24 months, that has not proven to be the case. Continue reading “Research Update CHF-02107 Final: Landmark Clinical Trial to Establish the Evidence-Based Use of Regenerative Medicine to Treat Tendon Injury in Dogs” →

Research Update CHF 02661 EY4: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” has resulted in 3 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Journal of Veterinary Research and a 4th one in review.

The results of this work demonstrated higher levels of cardiac troponin I in dogs eating grain-free (GF) dog foods or foods that have peas, lentils or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients compared to dogs eating grain-inclusive (GI) dog foods or foods without peas, lentils, or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02661 EY4: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs” →

Research Update 02945-MOU EY2: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Over the first two years of this study, we have focused primarily on sample collection and running an initial set of genetics experiments. We collected samples mostly through PWD-related channels working directly with our collaborators in the PWDF/PWDCA. We also attended the PWD National Specialty in September 2021 and August 2022 to promote the study and collect samples, and we established a collaboration with Dr. Anita Oberbauer at UC Davis to share samples that she had already collected.

Continue reading “Research Update 02945-MOU EY2: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs” →

Research Update End-year 8 CHF 01760-T: Use of Gene Therapy to Treat Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common cause of heart disease in dogs, and medical management of the secondary signs is the only therapeutic option. The outcome for affected dogs depends on the stage of disease and the breed. Once diagnosed, dogs typically exhibit rapid and uniform progression to congestive heart failure (CHF), with most living less than 6 months.

Continue reading “Research Update End-year 8 CHF 01760-T: Use of Gene Therapy to Treat Dilated Cardiomyopathy” →

Research Update CHF 02780 FINAL: Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Bladder cancer case recruitment is complete, assisted by a collaboration with Antech, which attached our study flyer to all BRAF urine tests that were positive for canine bladder cancer. We are awaiting the last batch of analyses for urinary chemicals (acrolein and arsenic) in dogs and their owners, as well as measurements of arsenic in tap water and household dust, and acrolein in household air. We hypothesize that these chemical exposures will be higher in bladder case homes compared to control homes. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02780 FINAL: Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs” →

Research Update CHF EY3 02686-A: Pattern of Thyroid Function Tests during Recovery from Acute Nonthyroidal Illness

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Excerpt from EY3 of Dr. Bolton’s work.

An enunciation of the relationship between thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone during acute nonthyroidal illness and recovery will be postponed until after the statistical analysis is complete .

Total T4 is the most common hormone measured in dogs suspected of hypothyroidism and is low in cases of this disease. It can also decrease in dogs with nonthyroidal illness, frequently resulting in an inappropriate diagnosis of hypothyroidism and unnecessary thyroid hormone supplementation. Continue reading “Research Update CHF EY3 02686-A: Pattern of Thyroid Function Tests during Recovery from Acute Nonthyroidal Illness” →

Research Update CHF 02519 Final: Prevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Dogs with Cardiac and Splenic Hemangiosarcomas Within and Between Geographic Locations

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

We gained substantial and seemingly important information relative to the aims of this study. We were able to obtain the initial set of samples on April 26, 2018 so we had a short delay in starting this study. Subsequently, the COVID epidemic and loss of research personal resulted in repeated interruptions in our research efforts. After completing all Year I study aims, we continued to work on improvements in immunohistochemistry and FISH localization of Bartonella organisms within various cell types. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02519 Final: Prevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Dogs with Cardiac and Splenic Hemangiosarcomas Within and Between Geographic Locations” →

Research Update CHF 02534 MY 4 Update: Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Our overall objective is to determine a clinically optimal dose and estimate the efficacy of propranolol in dogs with hemangiosarcoma when given as an adjunct to chemotherapy. Specifically: Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02534 MY 4 Update: Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma” →

Research Update CHF 02723 MY3: Scientific and Clinical Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Obese Dogs: SLIM Study

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

We screened (comprehensive physical examinations, bloodwork, and fecal analysis) 51 dogs for the SLIM study. Of these, 31 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Of these enrolled dogs, 25 dogs completed the 24-week clinical trial. Unfortunately, 6 dogs were removed from the study early with the most common reason related to administration of antimicrobials needed for underlying health conditions including dog bite wounds, urinary tract infections, and surgical procedures. Based on recalculating our power analysis for sample size estimation, out current samples size (n=25) is sufficient to find a significant difference in weight loss between the treatment groups. Our last SLIM patient finished the clinical trial at the end of October 2022. Since this time, we have entered the analysis phase and sample processing for microbiome sequencing and metabolomics. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02723 MY3: Scientific and Clinical Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Obese Dogs: SLIM Study” →