The following are current research projects relating to Aussie genetics. If you
can assist with any of these, please do so. Please feel free to post these contacts to news lists,
reprint in club newsletters, etc.
We also urge Aussie owners to plan ahead for future projects by storing some of your
dog’s blood in the CHIC DNA Repository.
Make sure your dog’s sample will be available now and beyond your dog’s lifetime.
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Epilepsy: Samples Needed!
The goal of this project is to develop a DNA screening test for this disease in Australian Shepherds.
They would like samples from affected dogs and their unaffected relatives 2 generations
any direction and also froma few unaffected unrelated dogs 6 years or older to serve as
controls. Dr. Patterson is a member of the Canine Epilepsy Network (CEN) and has access
to those samples, but if anyone wants to send him a second sample it never hurts to have
a little more DNA.
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If you would like to submit samples on one or more Australian Shepherds the instructions and forms are available
here:
Information specific to importing samples from outside the United States:
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Contact: Neuromuscular Genetics Lab
University of Minnesota
C339 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals
1352 Boyd Ave.
St. Paul MN 55108
612-624-5322
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ASHGI has teamed with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Toby's
Foundation and the United States Austalian Shepherd Association to fund this project.
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More info on Epilepsy in Aussies
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Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) : Samples Needed!
HSA is an extremely rapid cancer with no effective treatment. The purpose of the
project is to determine which regions of the canine genome are recurrently associated
with the incidence HAS, as well as soft tissue sarcomas and histiocytic malignancies in
the dog.
Necropsy samples may be submitted provided:
- They are collected and shipped on the day of death.
- The dog had not been receiving chemotherapy for the cancer.
The researchers have requested that each breed provide a single contact person who will
answer questions and assist owners with sample and data submission. Kim Monti, who lost
her SAR dog, Thor, to HSA, has been appointed to fill this position.
Contact: Kim Monti
4aussies_16paws @ foxwoodkennel.com
505-890-6150
ASHGI is assisting the AKC Canine Health Foundation to fund this research. We are
seeking donations. If you would like to make a financial gift for this study, you may
do so with the PayPal button below. Please indicate in the comment area that your donation
is for the HSA study.
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Lymphoma: Samples Needed!
This cancer is usually fatal because it develops resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.
The goal of this project is to determine the reason for the drug resistance on the molecular
DNA level to understand why this takes place. The ultimate goal is to improve clinical
treatment for canine lymphoma and save dogs' lives.
If you live in the vicinity of North Carolina State University and have an Australian
Shepherd with lymphoma, please consider taking it to the university's oncology clinic for
treatment and so the researchers can obtain samples and data from your dog.
ASHGI has teamed with the Morris Animal Foundation to fund this research. We are seeking
donations. If you would like to make a financial gift for this study, you may do so with
the PayPal button below. Please indicate in the comment area that your donation is for the Lymphoma study.
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Effects of MDR1 on Anti-seizure Med Effectiveness: Samples Needed!
The study's goal is to determine whether the MDR1 mutation makes epileptic dogs less
responsive to seizure control medications. Samples (cheek swabs and a blood sample)
needed from purebred Australian Shepherds with epilepsy who are currently being treated
with anti-seizure medications. |
Contact: North Carolina State University
Julie Osborne, Study Coordinator
Julie_Osborne@ncsu.edu
919-513-6812
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Canine Behavioral Genetics: Samples Needed!
Drs. Steve Hamilton (UCSF) and Karen Overall (Penn) will be trying to locate genes
associated with a variety of canine behaviors, including problem behaviors.
Understanding the genetics of these traits can aid breeders in the proper rearing,
training and homing of puppies and dogs. They are collecting data via questionnaires
and DNA cheek swabs. If you have a dog you would like to submit to the study, contact
Melanie Chang or call 415-476-7898.
http://psych.ucsf.edu/k9behavioralgenetics/
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Cataract: Samples Needed!
Dr. Cathryn Mellersh of the Animal Health Trust in the UK is investigating
the Australian Shepherd's most common eye disease. Dr. Mellersh believes
she has identified the gene that causes cataract in Aussies but needs to
sample more dogs. She is seeking DNA samples and information on Aussies
with *any* kind of hereditary cataract.
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For information on sample submission or to request cheek swabs, contact:
North America and countries not listed below - ASHGI or call 559-485-2136.
Finland - Finland Coordinator
Germany - Germany Coordinator
Netherlands- Netherlands Coordinator
Sweden - Sweden Coordinator
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Cataract Study Documents:
Study Submission Form MS Word
PDF
Individual Results Request Form MS Word
PDF
Swab Sample Collection Instructions MS Word
PDF
Study Information in German:
Katarakt Submission Form (MS Word)
Katarakt Studie (MS Word)
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Hyaloid Arteries: Data Needed!
Dr. Kylie Munyard is presently collecting information only (no samples required) on
dogs with hyaloids. Her study seeks to determine if these are hereditary and why a few of them
will be associated with cataracts.
If you own, or have bred, a dog with hyaloids please
send us it's pedigree and a copy of the eye exam form. In addition, to help determine how prevalent hyaloids are in the Aussie population we are asking all Australian
breeders of Australian shepherds to submit puppy eye certificates from all
their litters, affected or not. [Note: Because the Australian Shepherd population in Australia is limited and hyaloids can occur in any Aussie, we urge all people with dogs that have hyaloids to submit data to this study--ASHGI]
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Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL): Samples Needed!
NCL is a lethal degenerative neurological disease. Dr. Martin Katz of the
University of Missouri is studying this disease. He is interested in living
dogs that are exhibiting signs of NCL. Symptoms can include vision
problems, loss of coordination, loss of training, personality changes (e.g.
increased aggressiveness), movement problems (e.g. loss of ability to jump
up onto an elevated surface or falling over), and seizures. He would also
like necropsy samples from deceased affected dogs.
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Hypothyroidism and Owner-Directed Aggression: Samples Needed!
This project's goal is to establish whether thyroid replacement treatment is helpful in
treating behavior problems. They need dogs exhibiting owner-directed aggression and may
provide testing if thyroid status is unknown.
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Contact:Nicole Cottam
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
508 887-4802
Nicole.cottam@tufts.edu
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