Latest News

Research Update CHF 02661 EY5: 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 4 peer-reviewed manuscripts  published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the American Journal of Veterinary Research and Scientific Reports.

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. Cardiac troponin I is a blood marker that indicates injury to the heart muscle and therefore this study provides information on how heart disease occurs in some dogs eating GF diets. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02661 EY5: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs” →

Research Update CHF 03137 EY1: Targeted Next Generation Sequencing Panel for Comprehensive Testing for Reproductive and Neurologic Pathogens of Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

The goal of this project is to validate respiratory and neurologic disease testing using a targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) panel we previously developed. We expect this assay, which includes 34 different pathogens known to be associated with reproductive/neurologic disease in dogs, will perform as well as individual real-time PCR assays designed to detect each of these pathogens individually. This type of comprehensive testing takes the guesswork out of choosing which individual tests or small panel of tests to run to diagnose disease. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 03137 EY1: Targeted Next Generation Sequencing Panel for Comprehensive Testing for Reproductive and Neurologic Pathogens of Dogs” →

Research Update CHF 02819 FINAL: Identification of Bartonella henselae In Vivo Induced Antigens for Development of a Reliable Serodiagnostic Assay for Canine Bartonelloses

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Bartonella, a genus of gram-negative bacteria, are associated with a wide spectrum of potentially life-threatening diseases in animals and humans. More than 40 Bartonella species have been reported to infect mammalian reservoir hosts, and infection often leads to chronic bacteremia. At least 10 Bartonella species have been implicated in association with serious diseases in dogs, including endocarditis, hemangiosarcoma, myocarditis, peliosis hepatis, polyarthritis and vasculitis. Despite biomedical advances and ongoing research in the field of canine bartonelloses, currently available PCR, culture, and serological based assays lack sensitivity for diagnosis of bartonelloses. Dogs throughout the United States and much of the world are exposed to Bartonella spp. From a public health perspective there is an increased risk of direct and vector-borne transmission of Bartonella spp. from animals to humans. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02819 FINAL: Identification of Bartonella henselae In Vivo Induced Antigens for Development of a Reliable Serodiagnostic Assay for Canine Bartonelloses” →

Research Update CHF 02806-MOU MY4: Strategic Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Lifetime Follow-Up

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

The goal for this project is to develop a reliable, accessible, and actionable test to identify dogs at risk for hemangiosarcoma during the earliest stages of disease and to use a strategic, rationally designed approach to prevent its occurrence in these high-risk dogs before it becomes clinically detrimental and life-threatening. The study has two objectives. The first is to determine the most reasonable duration of an SOS test result. In other words, how long can a low-risk SOS test result be trusted and how much time might elapse between a high-risk SOS test result and the development of hemangiosarcoma. The second aim is to continue periodic testing for dogs previously enrolled in the Shine On study whose test result would have placed them in a high-risk category for development of hemangiosarcoma, and to provide eBAT as a strategy for prevention in up to 12 of these dogs. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02806-MOU MY4: Strategic Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Lifetime Follow-Up” →

Research Update CHF 02534 MY5 Update: Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

We have completed enrollment for the trial. We are currently analyzing the pharmacokinetic data obtained from the blood samples of dogs enrolled in the study. The project goals have not been modified.

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:

Objective 1: We will confirm the tolerability and estimate the clinical benefit of propranolol in combination with doxorubicin.

Objective 2: We will assess levels of propranolol in the bloodstream after long-term administration to dogs with hemangiosarcoma to determine if there is a correlation between drug levels in blood and overall survival. We will also determine if propranolol alters the blood levels (exposure) of doxorubicin in dogs receiving propranolol and compare these levels to those found in the published literature fordogs receiving doxorubicin. Collection of these data will allow us to better understand how these drugs may be working together. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02534 MY5 Update: Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma” →

Research Update 02945-MOU MY3: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Over the first 2.5 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. To date, we have in hand 134 samples from affected PWDs and 169 samples from unaffected PWDs. Continue reading “Research Update 02945-MOU MY3: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs” →

Research Update CHF 02661 MY5: 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 4 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the American Journal of Veterinary Research and Scientific Reports.

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. Cardiac troponin I is a blood marker that indicates injury to the heart muscle and therefore this study provides information on how heart disease occurs in some dogs eating GF diets. Additionally, we showed that cardiac troponin I decreased, and an echocardiographic (ultrasound of the heart) measure of contractility improved in dogs fed GF diets that were changed to a GI diet without peas or lentils 1 year after this diet change. This is important information because it shows that apparently healthy dogs can have subtle heart muscle injury that can improve with diet change. Therefore, this data is supportive of causation. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02661 MY5: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs” →

Research Update CHF 03045-A EY2: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Diagnosis of Dog Sperm Morphology

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Collection of all semen samples required for the study has been completed. Samples from 62 dogs presented to the veterinary hospital at The Ohio State University have been obtained and preserved. At the University of Pennsylvania, slides were prepared, and images acquired using phase-contrast under 1000X magnification. A bank with over 11K images has been created. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 03045-A EY2: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Diagnosis of Dog Sperm Morphology” →

Research Update CHF 03055 EY1: Evaluating Reproductive Diseases in vitro with a 3D Canine Endometrial Organoid Model

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Three-dimensional (3D) organoid cell cultures present new opportunities to improve understanding of common reproductive pathologies in the bitch in a laboratory setting rather than using live animals for research. This is an improvement on using research dogs by:
i) addressing important welfare and ethical concerns,
ii) allowing more controlled study of cellular responses under hormonal influence and infectious agents, and
iii) permitting high-throughput evaluation of treatments performed in tandem. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 03055 EY1: Evaluating Reproductive Diseases in vitro with a 3D Canine Endometrial Organoid Model” →

Research Update CHF 03053-A MY1: Genome-wide Association Study to Investigate Genetic Markers for Antimicrobial Resistance in Mycoplasma cynos Associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

We would like to thank AKC CHF for supporting our research on Mycoplasma cynos, which is an emerging respiratory bacterium in dogs. M. cynos is associated with kennel cough and may lead to fatal pneumonia. This bacterium is very complex, and lack of standardized diagnostic and knowledge on antibiotic therapy makes clinical management difficult. Since no vaccine is available, current treatment of M. cynos-associated outbreaks relies on antibiotics. However, the in vitro activity of antibiotics against M. cynos has never been studied and the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for M. cynos disease is completely unknown. This may lead to unsuccessful treatment and antibiotic
resistance. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 03053-A MY1: Genome-wide Association Study to Investigate Genetic Markers for Antimicrobial Resistance in Mycoplasma cynos Associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease” →