Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs

Bladder cancer is an aggressive cancer that affects ~ 20,000 dogs per year, and often leads to euthanasia. Certain breeds have a higher incidence of bladder cancer but genetic studies even in the highest risk breeds have been inconclusive and still indicate influence from environmental exposures. The investigators propose that specific household environmental chemical exposures contribute to the risk of bladder cancer in dogs.

In this study, they will measure urinary concentrations of five different chemicals that are known or suspected to be bladder carcinogens, in dogs with bladder cancer compared to unaffected dogs. The investigators will determine whether the presence of certain chemicals is associated with household exposures, based on owner questionnaires and household proximity to industrial sites. Finally, they will determine whether urinary chemical concentrations are linked to early DNA damage in the urinary cells of healthy dogs that do not have bladder cancer. The overall goal of this study is to provide veterinarians and dog owners with evidence-based bladder cancer prevention strategies.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 2780

RESEARCHERS

Lauren Trepanier, DVM, PhD; University of Wisconsin, Madison
Amount: $15,000