Research
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
Protective Role for Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) in Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Project Summary: Older dogs often develop a form of dementia that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. We currently know little about this condition which limits our ability to prevent or manage it. IGF-1 is a hormone that regulates body size in dogs. In studies with humans and other animals, this hormone has been shown to […]Continue readingCombining Therapies to Improve Osteosarcoma Treatment
SUMMARY: Researchers will study whether a combination of oral medication and new tumor vaccine provide survival benefit for dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma. THE PROBLEM: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone cancer in dogs, affecting the long bones of mostly large and giant breeds of dog. The standard treatment for OS is amputation of the […]Continue readingMitochondrial Dysfunction and mtDNA Mutations in Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Novel Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis and Personalized Therapy
SUMMARY: Researchers will study if dysfunction of the mitochondria, the cell’s “powerhouses,” are drivers of tumor aggressiveness. THE PROBLEM: Hemangiosarcoma is a highly aggressive and rapidly progressing cancer of dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is usually diagnosed when the tumor is in an advanced stage. Nearly 90% of all dogs die within the first year of diagnosis, and […]Continue readingA combined sensor approach to examine volatile organic compounds as potential markers of canine hemangiosarcoma
SUMMARY: Researchers will determine the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of hemangiosarcoma using bio-detection dogs as a step toward a diagnostic test for the disease. THE PROBLEM: Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a deadly cancer in dogs that is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, making early detection crucial. Despite years of research, early detection […]Continue readingEngineering a monoclonal antibody therapy for canine mast cell tumors
Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the most common skin tumors in dogs. MCTs can vary in their growth from slow-growing to highly aggressive tumors, and treatment options are often limited, especially for tumors that have spread or can’t be removed. Chemotherapy is sometimes used, but has side effects. Despite treatment, most dogs eventually succumb to […]Continue readingCanine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program-UPENN
Offered through the University of Pennsylvania and directed by Dr. Cynthia Otto, this prestigious residence advances the health , performance, and recovery of canine athletes and active companion dogs. Residents train within two distinct arms: at the renowned Penn Vet Working Dog Center, they support working dogs from puppyhood through deployment in service roles; and […]Continue readingThe prevalence of Heterobilharzia americana in Portuguese water dogs in the United States
Heterobilharzia americana (HA) is a trematode parasite of dogs and is the causative agent of canine schistosomiasis. The life cycle of this parasite requires a definitive host (i.e.- dog), an intermediate freshwater snail host, and freshwater source. Dogs become infected when they stand, wade, or swim in cercariae (the infective form of the parasite) infested […]Continue readingBuilding a Portuguese Water Dog Reference Genome to Unlock Breed-Specific Health Insights
The Portuguese Water Dog Foundation is very excited to join with Drs. Jaime Modiano VMD, PhD and Steven Friedenberg DVM, PhD, DACVECC in a project to improve the lives and well-being of PWDs. The team of Drs. Modiano and Friedenberg will lead a project creating a reference genome specific to PWDs, which will improve our […]Continue readingStudying Hemangiosarcoma Subtypes and Treatment Response
SUMMARY: Researchers are studying if hemangiosarcoma subtypes influence how affected dogs respond to treatment – a step toward precision medicine for these patients. DESCRIPTION: Research suggests that hemangiosarcoma, a deadly cancer in dogs, is not one disease but made up of many different subtypes. The team found that dogs with one type of HSA are […]Continue readingAntiparasitic Treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Dogs Across Different Stages of Disease for Clinical Cardiac Improvements – the 100-dog Study
Chagas disease is a deadly parasitic heart disease affecting dogs, humans, and other mammals in regions where “kissing bug” insect vectors are found (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States). Dogs across the US may be at risk if they travel from or to affected regions. Currently, there is no vaccine and […]Continue reading