We proposed to develop a comprehensive method for detection of infectious diseases of dogs, taking the guesswork out of determining which tests to use for diagnosis, and potentially improving disease surveillance because of the comprehensive nature of the test.
Latest News
Lifetime Follow-Up of Canine Hemangiosarcoma
July 13, 2020 09:00 ET — The Portuguese Water Dog Foundation is pleased to support the continuation phase of the Shine On project with the Golden Retriever Foundation, the American Boxer Charitable Foundation and the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
In this continuation phase of the Shine On project, the group of dogs that were originally enrolled in the study and received the Shine On Suspicion (SOS) Test will be followed for their lifetimes to identify any diagnosis of cancer or another chronic disease, the cause of death, and date of death.
Continue reading “Lifetime Follow-Up of Canine Hemangiosarcoma”
Research Update End-yr 2 CHF 02528: Developing a Next Generation Sequencing Diagnostic Platform for Tick-Borne Diseases
Diagnostic tests based on the detection of DNA from harmful organisms in clinical samples have revolutionized veterinary medicine in the last decades. Currently, diagnostic panels for several vectorborne diseases (VBDs) are available through universities and private labs in the USA and abroad. However, the vast majority of results from sick dogs are negative, which frustrates veterinarians and dog owners trying to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Research Update Mid-year 4 02309-T: Targeting the Cancer Epigenome: The Effect of Specific Histone Lysine Methyltransferase Inhibition in Canine B-Cell Lymphoma
Lymphoma, particularly the large, B-cell subtype, is one of the most common malignancies in dogs. Canine lymphoma can be treated, but it is rarely cured. Novel therapeutic strategies are necessary to improve outcomes in dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. Recently, advances in the understanding of human lymphomas have focused on the area of epigenetics.
Research Update Mid-year 1 CHF 02686-A: Pattern of Thyroid Function Tests during Recovery from Acute Nonthyroidal Illness
This project, ‘Pattern of thyroid function tests during recovery from acute nonthyroidal illness’, was eligible to begin case enrollment in January 2020.
Research Update End-yr 1 CHF 02651: Discovery of Novel Biomarkers of Canine Atopic Dermatitis through Lipid Profiling
Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common allergic skin disease of dogs with a strong genetic basis. Evidence from human studies suggests that several variants of AD exist with different mechanisms and responses to treatment. Current diagnosis of CAD requires time-consuming procedures that involve a considerable cost to the owner. Therefore, new approaches to identify molecular markers that can help with better diagnosis and management of the disease are warranted. In this study, we are using our tailored methodology for lipid biomarker discovery in CAD.
Research Update Mid-year 3 CHF 02323: Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD) for the Treatment of Canine Epilepsy
The preparations for the CBD epilepsy study were started in December 2018, including hiring a fulltime research assistant and part-time work/study student, creating all of the study documents necessary for the trial, and creating a newsletter/announcement for Colorado veterinarians. We began enrolling patients for the study at the end of January 2018. We anticipated enrolling 20 patients per year; therefore, we are on track with 54 patients in 2 1/2 years.
Research Update Mid- and End-yr 1 CHF 02643-A: Examination of the Effects of Cannabidiol on Canine Neoplastic Cell Apoptosis/Autophagy and Potential for Chemotherapy Resistance or Sensitivity
Initial studies on cytotoxicity by the research team show that CBD has cytotoxic activity on a variety of canine cancer cell lines at modest concentrations in the laboratory. These effects cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, within a very short time frame, suggesting a discrete mechanism.
Research Update End-year 6 CHF 01760-T: Use of Gene Therapy to Treat Dilated Cardiomyopathy
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.
Research Update End-yr 1 CHF 02661: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs
The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” is progressing on schedule. Enrollment for the first part of the study is at approximately 85%. We are aiming to finish enrollment by late spring/early summer, after which time we will concentrate on data collation and statistical analysis for the first part of the study.
