Research
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
Using a heritable immunostimulatory bacterium to block heartworm transmission by mosquitoes
Summary: Researchers will investigate the use of a bacteria to help block transmission of heartworm parasites by mosquitoes. Description: More than 150,000 cases of canine heartworm disease are reported annually in the United States alone. Monthly preventive treatments for dogs have been widely available since the mid-19805. However, drug-resistant strains are on the rise, highlighting […]Continue readingEvaluating Reproductive Diseases in vitro with a 3D Canine Endometrial Organoid Model
Pyometra is a life-threatening disease that affects over 66% of intact older bitches. Bitches are pre-disposed to this disease due to a number of unique features of their reproductive cycle. Endometritis is an underdiagnosed condition in bitches that results in reduced fertility and can lead to the development of pyometra. These diseases have mostly been […]Continue readingArtificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Diagnosis of Dog Sperm Morphology
Sperm morphology evaluation is an important component of dog fertility analysis. However, visual evaluation of sperm morphology is difficult to teach, and results are largely dependent on the proficiency and experience of the evaluator, leading to large variability in results within and across evaluators. The objective of this pilot study is to explore recent advances […]Continue readingGenome-wide Association Study to Investigate Genetic Markers for Antimicrobial Resistance in Mycoplasma cynos Associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease
Mycoplasma cynos is an emerging respiratory bacterium in dogs. It is associated with kennel cough and may lead to fatal pneumonia. This bacterium is very complex, and the 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, […]Continue readingUnderstanding the Genetic Basis of Addison’s Disease in PWDs
Addison’s disease is a common, life-threatening disorder in dogs characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of portions of the adrenal gland. This damage prevents the adrenal gland from synthesizing hormones that are necessary for normal cell metabolism, kidney function, and maintenance of the immune system. Dogs with Addison’s disease are also highly predisposed to succumbing to […]Continue readingLuteinizing Hormone Receptor Activation Induces Migration and Adhesion in Neoplastic Canine Lymphocytes
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is secreted from the brain (pituitary) in sexually intact dogs to stimulate synthesis of estrogen and testosterone in females and males, respectively. However, LH is secreted at concentrations up to 20 times higher following gonad removal with spaying or castration because hormonal negative feedback is lost. Although LH is considered to be […]Continue readingIdentifying Early Stage Ultra-rare Mutations as Predictive Biomarkers of Lymphoma in High-risk versus Low-risk Breeds Within the Dog Aging Project
The most common type of cancer in dogs is lymphoma, with ~80,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States. Breeds vary in their risk of lymphoma, but it is unclear why there is variation despite considerable effort to identify the genetics of cancer risk and progression in dogs. Cancer typically arises from the accumulation of […]Continue readingReprogramming the Tumor Immune Niche in Canine Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a common, devastating disease of dogs. The malignant tumor is seen frequently in older Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Schnauzers, but it can occur in any dog of any breed at any age. Survival times of dogs with the tumor are short, even with surgical removal […]Continue readingOptical Coherence Tomography for Margin Evaluation of Canine Skin and Subcutaneous Neoplasms
Skin cancer is common in older dogs and often requires surgery to treat. For these tumors, the best chance of cure is offered if the surgeon can fully remove both visible and microscopic traces of the tumor. Currently surgeons must rely on pathologist’s assessment of tissues after surgery and the success of the procedure will […]Continue readingBladder 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 […]Continue reading
