Due to COVID-19, laboratory and hospital closure halted the trial until January 2021. Since that time, the researchers have not had owners with appropriate cases agree to enroll in the study. Major sources of cases are athletic dogs such as agility dogs. Due to COVID-19, agility and other trials were halted. When starting back up in late Spring/early summer of 2021; the formerly busy caseload for supraspinatus tendinopathy has not yet returned. The researchers anticipated a lag between the beginning of agility trials and injury to the canine athlete’s shoulders, however, within the last 24 months, that has not proven to be the case. Continue reading “Research Update CHF-02107 Final: Landmark Clinical Trial to Establish the Evidence-Based Use of Regenerative Medicine to Treat Tendon Injury in Dogs”
Research Update CHF 02661 EY4: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs
The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” has resulted in 3 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Journal of Veterinary Research and a 4th one in review.
The results of this work demonstrated higher levels of cardiac troponin I in dogs eating grain-free (GF) dog foods or foods that have peas, lentils or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients compared to dogs eating grain-inclusive (GI) dog foods or foods without peas, lentils, or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02661 EY4: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs”
Research Update CHF EY3 02686-A: Pattern of Thyroid Function Tests during Recovery from Acute Nonthyroidal Illness
Excerpt from EY3 of Dr. Bolton’s work.
An enunciation of the relationship between thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone during acute nonthyroidal illness and recovery will be postponed until after the statistical analysis is complete .
Total T4 is the most common hormone measured in dogs suspected of hypothyroidism and is low in cases of this disease. It can also decrease in dogs with nonthyroidal illness, frequently resulting in an inappropriate diagnosis of hypothyroidism and unnecessary thyroid hormone supplementation. Continue reading “Research Update CHF EY3 02686-A: Pattern of Thyroid Function Tests during Recovery from Acute Nonthyroidal Illness”
Research Update CHF 02519 Final: Prevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Dogs with Cardiac and Splenic Hemangiosarcomas Within and Between Geographic Locations
We gained substantial and seemingly important information relative to the aims of this study. We were able to obtain the initial set of samples on April 26, 2018 so we had a short delay in starting this study. Subsequently, the COVID epidemic and loss of research personal resulted in repeated interruptions in our research efforts. After completing all Year I study aims, we continued to work on improvements in immunohistochemistry and FISH localization of Bartonella organisms within various cell types. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02519 Final: Prevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Dogs with Cardiac and Splenic Hemangiosarcomas Within and Between Geographic Locations”
Research Update CHF 02534 MY 4 Update: Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma
Our overall objective is to determine a clinically optimal dose and estimate the efficacy of propranolol in dogs with hemangiosarcoma when given as an adjunct to chemotherapy. Specifically: Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02534 MY 4 Update: Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma”
Research Update CHF 02624 Final: Embracing Polygenicity of Common Complex Disease in Dogs: Genome-wide Association of Cruciate Ligament Rupture
We have now completed recruitment and marker genotyping of Labrador Retriever dogs under this award. A final single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker data set of 1,006 dogs has been assembled and filtered for data analysis, slightly exceeding what was promised under the award. We have now completed analysis of these data to estimate heritability of cruciate ligament rupture, determined the extent of the polygenicity of the disease, and developed a genetic testing method for accurately predicting risk of cruciate ligament rupture. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02624 Final: Embracing Polygenicity of Common Complex Disease in Dogs: Genome-wide Association of Cruciate Ligament Rupture”
Research Update 02945-MOU MY2: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs
Over the 1.5 years of this study, we have focused primarily on sample collection and running an initial set of genetics experiments. We collected samples mostly through PWD-related channels working directly with our collaborators in the PWDF/PWDCA. Continue reading “Research Update 02945-MOU MY2: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs”
Research Update CHF 02783 MY3: Transcriptional Profiling of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) encompasses a number of neoplasms that are derived from mesenchymal cells including fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. In the dog, STSs arise frequently in the dermis/subcutis and represent up to 15% of the neoplasms in this location. Our primary aim of this grant was to collect cases of canine STS for histologic and gene expression analysis. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02783 MY3: Transcriptional Profiling of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma”
Research Update CHF 02780 MY3: Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs
Bladder cancer case recruitment has been steady through our alliance with Antech, which is attaching our study flyer to all BRAF urine tests that are positive for bladder cancer. We are now enrolling 2-3 dogs with bladder cancer per month. We also have a list of possible matched controls through our expanded outreach through Facebook. We have recorded questionnaire data encoded for all dog kits that have been returned to us. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02780 MY3: Bladder Carcinogen Exposures in Pet Dogs”
Research Update CHF 02819 MY2: Identification of Bartonella henselae In Vivo Induced Antigens for Development of a Reliable Serodiagnostic Assay for Canine Bartonelloses
We are on track to accomplish all of our aims for this study. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and backorders of supplies, we had a short delay in starting the study. We have now received all the lab supplies. Screening of Bh SA2 expression genomic library by colony immunoblotting (Aim1) require additional time and research effort to identify potential diagnostic antigens for canine bartonelloses. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02819 MY2: Identification of Bartonella henselae In Vivo Induced Antigens for Development of a Reliable Serodiagnostic Assay for Canine Bartonelloses”