Research
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
Advancing Canine Health: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumor (MCT) is the most common malignant canine skin tumor, accounting for 16-21% of all skin tumors. All breeds can develop MCTs, but many purebreds (e.g., Boxers, Boston Terriers) are predisposed. Clinical management is challenging due to unpredictable biological behavior and inaccurate biomarkers. While surgery is the primary treatment, many dogs develop resistance […]Continue readingIdentification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses
Bartonella species are associated with severe diseases in dogs, including endocarditis, myocarditis, hepatitis, lymphadenitis, hemangiosarcoma, vasculitis, arthritis, uveitis, meningitis, and others. Despite diagnostic advances, current tests lack sensitivity. Bartonella infections pose a serious threat to dogs and public health due to potential transmission to humans. This study will identify Bartonella henselae B-cell and T-cell epitopes […]Continue readingTowards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma
This nationwide clinical trial aims to achieve curative outcomes for 400 dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma—a highly aggressive cancer that disproportionately affects older, large breed dogs. Despite aggressive treatment, more than 50% of affected dogs die within 6 months due to metastatic spread. The research will leverage genomic insights to: (1) identify molecular biomarkers for prognosis; […]Continue readingCanine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program-CO State Univ
The Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility service at Colorado State University specializes in medical orthopedics, physical rehabilitation, and clinical trials for dogs. Their focus is on preventing and treating lameness and disabilities caused by athletic activities, arthritic, amputations, neurological issues, and aging. The service helps rehabilitate dogs to their pre-injury state, improve quality of life, and […]Continue readingDiet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Zeroing in on a Cause
Dilated cardiomyopathy is most commonly seen as a genetic disease of the heart muscle affecting certain large or giant dog breeds. However, many dogs in the last several years have developed a different form of dilated cardiomyopathy that research has associated with diets that are grain-free or contain pulses (i.e., peas, lentils) and which appear […]Continue readingArtificial Intelligence-based Image Analysis of Lymph Node Mast Cell Burden in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell
Canine mast cell disease is one of the most common cancers in dogs. These tumors can be aggressive, with local recurrence, metastasis, and disease progression resulting in death. Lymph nodes are a major site of metastasis for canine mast cell tumors, and lymph nodes are routinely removed and evaluated for metastasis as part of the […]Continue readingProbiotic Prevention of GI Hyperpermeability and Metabolome Disturbances in Dogs with Multicentric Lymphoma Undergoing Multi-drug Chemotherapy
Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects negatively impact dogs with lymphoma who are undergoing treatment with multi-drug chemotherapy. Up to 40% of dogs experience GI toxicity that requires dose reduction or treatment delays, which can increase the cost of care if hospitalization is required. As routinely prescribed medications inconsistently prevent GI toxicity, new options are needed. Disruption […]Continue readingA Blueprint to Develop Next-Generation CAR T Therapy for Canine Lymphoma
Standard veterinary care involves chemotherapy and while patients initially respond well, the disease proves to be fatal for most dogs diagnosed. In human medicine, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which the patient’s T lymphocytes are engineered to target and kill their cancer, has been remarkably successful for treating B cell lymphoma. However, a significant number of patients become resistant to this therapy due to loss of target antigen on their cancer cells. To overcome this, next- generation tandem CAR T cells were designed to kill cancer cells by recognizing two separate targets, thereby reducing the ability of cancer cells to escape treatment, and greatly improving the outlook for human patients.Continue readingComparison of Clorazepate and Levetiracetam as Pulse Therapy for the In-Home Management of Cluster Seizures in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy: A Pilot Study
The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate and compare the use of two oral treatment protocols for the in-home management of cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. The researchers hypothesize that an in-home emergency treatment protocol that includes intermittent, or pulse therapy, with either oral clorazepate or oral levetiracetam is effective in controlling cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.Continue readingTargeted Next Generation Sequencing Panel for Comprehensive Testing for Reproductive and Neurologic Pathogens of Dogs
The large number of pathogens that contribute to infectious reproductive or neurologic disease and overlap of clinical signs makes using tests for multi-pathogen detection useful. Routinely, several individual or multiplex PCR assays are performed to identify active infection with these agents. Determining which tests to use for any given case can be difficult. Therefore, investigators […]Continue reading