Akita (Search by Breed)

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AMC Cancer Research Center (University)
	Completed Grant No: 2254A: Heritable and Sporadic Genetic Lesions in Canine Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma Disease(s): Cancer Sponsor(s): Akita Club of America, Inc., American Belgian Tervuren Club, Inc., American Bloodhound Club, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, Atlantic States Briard Club, Inc., Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, Briard Club of America, Bull Terrier Welfare Foundation, Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation, German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America, Golden Retriever Foundation, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., Jeffrey Pepper, Mastiff Club of America, Medallion Rottweiler Club, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust, Otterhound Club of America, Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc., Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, San Joaquin Kennel Club Researcher(s): Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD Breed(s): Akita, Belgian Tervuren, Boxer, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Mastiff, Rottweiler Abstract: Lymphoma (cancer of lymph glands) and osteosarcoma (bone cancer) are two common cancers of dogs with remarkable breed predisposition. Lymphoma accounts for approximately 20 percent of all canine tumors, and > 80 percent of cancers originating from blood cells. Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor in dogs, accounting for 85 percent of skeletal cancers. All cancers have a genetic basis, and in effect, these conditions represent various diseases, each sharing one or more genetic abnormalities that contribute to overall risk and treatment response. However, a method does not exist to identify individuals at risk, or whether a dog that develops a tumor is likely to respond to conventional therapy. We have identified individual genes and larger regions within the genome that appear to be important in some canine cancers. For this project, we propose to confirm the frequency and significance of these genetic anomalies in lymphoma and osteosarcoma of Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Irish Setters, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. This work will begin to determine which of these anomalies may be heritable and which may be sporadic, and pave the way to apply this knowledge for clinical benefits by providing potential targets for treatment, and tools to define individual risk to develop these types of cancer or produce cancer-prone progeny.
University of Wisconsin (University)
	Completed Grant No: 2629: Clinical and Immunological Outcomes in Dogs with Osteosarcoma Treated with Intratumoral Interleukin-12 Microspheres Disease(s): Cancer Sponsor(s): Akita Club of America, Inc., American Bloodhound Club, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, American Bullmastiff Association, American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Borzoi Club of America, Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation, Golden Retriever Foundation, Great Pyrenees Club of Puget Sound, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., Irish Wolfhound Foundation, Jeffrey Pepper, Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust, Rottweiler Health Foundation, St. Bernard Club of America, Starlight Fund Researcher(s): Stuart Helfand, DVM Breed(s): Akita, All (non-specified), Boxer, Bullmastiff, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever Abstract: Appendicular osteosarcoma, or bone cancer of the limbs, is an important tumor in dogs representing nearly 10 percent of all canine cancers. Despite progress in treating canine osteosarcoma using a combination of limb amputation and chemotherapy, life expectancy is not usually extended by more than 6-10 months compared to amputation alone. Death is due to dissemination of cancer cells beyond the leg and it is estimated that the cancer has already spread in at least 95 percent of dogs when it is initially diagnosed. Novel treatment regimens are urgently needed to improve the lives of large breed dogs such as Golden, Labrador and other Retrievers, Rottweilers, Irish Wolfhounds, Great Danes, German Shepherds and others that are at greatest risk for developing this cancer. Stimulating the immune system of dogs with cancer has been a goal of veterinary cancer researchers for more than 20 years and osteosarcoma is a tumor that has shown positive responses to some of these interventions. This research proposes to add a potent new form of immunostimulation to the standard treatment for canine osteosarcoma. This strategy uses a powerful stimulant of the immune system called interleukin-12 (IL-12) that has been shown to induce strong antitumor responses in experimental animal models. Stimulated by IL-12, immune cells tolerant of cancer can be triggered to specifically kill cancer cells throughout the body. What¿s more, the cells have long-term memory for the specific cancer. Our laboratory has shown that IL-12 enhances killing of osteosarcoma cells by immune cells from dogs. We propose that injection of IL-12 directly into limb osteosarcoma using a novel (microsphere) formulation resulting in slow IL-12 release within the tumor environment will promote active antitumor immunity in dogs with osteosarcoma and lengthen their survival time. A number of pertinent immunological questions will also be addressed.
University of Georgia (University)
	Active Grant No: 2434: Recombinant Thyrotropin (TSH): Standard for the Next Generation of Canine TSH Immunoassays with Improved Sensitivity Disease(s): Endocrine Disorders Sponsor(s): Airedale Terrier Club of America, Akita Club of America, Inc., American Belgian Malinois Club, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Borzoi Club of America, Clumber Spaniel Club of America, Collie Health Foundation, Dalmatian Club of America Foundation, Inc., English Setter Association of America, Golden Retriever Foundation, Italian Greyhound Club of America, Keeshond Club of America, Komondor Club of America, Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc., Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, Inc., Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, Scottish Terrier Club of America Health Trust Fund, Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Foundation, Inc. Researcher(s): Duncan Ferguson, DVM, PhD Breed(s): Airedale Terrier, Akita, All (non-specified), Belgian Malinois, Borzoi, Boxer, Clumber Spaniel, Collie, Dalmatian, English Setter, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Italian Greyhound, Keeshond, Komondor, Miniature Pinscher, Norwegian Elkhound, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Portuguese Water Dog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Scottish Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier Abstract: Hypothyroidism, a failure of the thyroid gland, is the most common hormonal abnormality in dogs, causing a variety of medical problems in many breeds, including hair loss and skin infections. The measurement of serum levels of the pituitary hormone thyrotropin (TSH) has been used as a reliable and sensitive screening test for thyroid glandular insufficiency in human medicine for many years, but the ¿first generation¿ assays for canine TSH (cTSH) are missing as many as one out of four cases of hypothyroidism, resulting in no improvement in diagnostic sensitivity compared to total T4 measurement. Furthermore, the available assays have not been sensitive enough to distinguish low values of cTSH from those in the normal range. Towards the goal of improving current and future immunoassay sensitivity based upon a pure recombinant canine TSH (cTSH) hormone standard, our laboratory has succeeded in cloning and sequencing the two peptide subunits of canine TSH and have expressed them in small quantities. Using techniques recently developed in our parallel work on equine TSH, we plan to express and purify recombinant canine TSH in high quantities and validate its use as a pure immunoassay standard to facilitate its worldwide use.
University of Saskatchewan (University)
	Completed Grant No: 326-A: Micropthalmia, Merle and MITF in Dogs Disease(s): Eye Disease Sponsor(s): Not Listed Researcher(s): Sheila Schmutz, PhD Breed(s): Akita, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Great Dane Abstract: Dogs with microphthalmia and/or related eye disorders will be studied using the Microphthamia transcription fector gene (MITF) as a candidate gene. Because this gene causes this problem in mice it seems a reasonable candidate. mRNA from 2 microphthalmic Akitas will be examined and compared to sequence from unaffected dogs which we have already obtained. Families of dogs(3 Great Dane and 5 Australian Shepherd) will be studied to determine if MITF markers co-segregate with eye disorders and/ or merle phenotype. Although we have already obtained the coding sequence of the MITF gene for the melnocyte form, we need to determine the sequence of the promoter region and the form expressed in retinal pigmented epithelium of the eye. With these, we may better understand if the eye defects which occur in homozygous merle dogs are unavoidable or one could select for the pattern and select against the eye anomalies (i.e. are there two or more mutations in MITF with different effects).
Purdue University (University)
	Completed Grant No: 1252: A Prospective Study of Morphometric, Genetic & Dietary Risk Factors for Bloat in Dogs Disease(s): Gastrointestinal Disease Sponsor(s): Akita Club of America, Inc., American Bloodhound Club, American Bullmastiff Association, American Rottweiler Club, Collie Health Foundation, Irish Setter Club of America, Inc., Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., NewPenDel Newfoundland Club, Weimaraner Club of America Researcher(s): Larry Glickman, VMD, PhD Breed(s): Akita, Bloodhound, Bullmastiff, Collie, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Weimaraner Abstract: In the largest prospective health study ever done involving companion animals, this project identified 1900 healthy dogs of 11 giant and large breeds and collected information from owners. The dogs were followed for five years to measure the incidence of bloat, evaluate the effectiveness of commonly used bloat-prevention practices and determine the relationship between diet and bloat. The researchers found that the risk of bloat increased with increasing age, having a first-degree relative with bloat and increasing chest/width ratio. The breed at the highest risk was the Great Dane. None of the practices usually advised by experts to prevent bloat, such as raising the food bowl and limiting the amount of exercise and water before or after eating, appeared effective. In fact one of these, raising the food bowl, was associated with a higher incidence of bloat.
Texas A&M University (University)
	Completed Grant No: 329-A: Genetics of Post-Squalene Cholesterol Biosynthesis in the Havanese, Akita and Samoyed: Are Defects in this Pathway Responsible for an Array of Developmental Abnormalities? A Pilot Study Disease(s): Nutritional Disorders Sponsor(s): Not Listed Researcher(s): Keith E. Murphy, PhD Breed(s): Akita, Havanese, Samoyed Abstract: This project is designed to eventually identify the causative gene(s) for post-squalene cholesterol biosynthesis. Research focused on cholesterol biosynthesis is increasingly directed towards understanding the genetics governing diseases related to this important sterol. Whereas most metabolic diseases are characterized largely by postnatal biochemical toxicities or deficiencies, disorders of cholesterol biosynthesis are notable for their severe effects on prenatal development. Completed Grant No: 2272: Localization of the Gene for Sebaceous Adenitis in the Akita Dog by Homology Mapping Disease(s): Skin Disease Sponsor(s): Akita Club of America, Inc. Researcher(s): Kelly Credille, DVM, PhD Breed(s): Akita Abstract: Whenever I discuss with lay audiences the devastating effect genetic diseases can have on purebred dogs, I describe sebaceous adenitis (SA). A disease common in breeds like the Akita and Standard Poodle, severely affected dogs are largely hairless, covered in scale and smell terribly. There is no cure. Because the disease seldom shows itself until sexual maturity and because some affected dogs may never develop overt clinical signs, breeders cannot determine which dogs to breed. For these reasons, SA is a disease in need of a genetic test. However, designing such a test is challenging. Because of the difficulty distinguishing SA-affected from normal dogs, pedigree-dependent tests cannot be recommended. To accomplish the objectives of this study, we have devised an alternative protocol to associate a marker with SA. We have chosen the Akita breed to study because its history of bottlenecks and isolation make it ideal for this type of investigation. We believe this protocol will not only be successful but will result in a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to more widely used methods in canine genetics research and will improve our ability to define those diseases in which distinguishing affected dogs can be ambiguous.