CHF Funded Research

Dermatomyositis DMS

Study Information

Description of Study Topic: Dr. Leigh Anne Clark’s genetics lab at Clemson University is looking for additional gene(s) underlying development of DMS in collies.

Method and Test Study Information: Blood samples are requested from collies that have been diagnosed by skin punch biopsy. Dogs that have not been diagnosed by skin punch biopsy but are strongly suspected of having DMS may also be eligible. Participants will be provided with DMS risk assessment results. ** Needed Seniors 7+ with DMS results AA/bb**

Contact:
Sarah Murphy
scmurph@g.clemson.edu
(864) 656-4696
Dept. of Genetics & Biochemistry
Clemson University
154 Poole Agricultural Center
130 McGinty Ct.
Clemson SC 29634-0318 USA

CEA Coloboma Research

Study Information: CEA Coloboma Research

Description of Study Topic: Dr. Gustavo Aguirre, VMD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania and OptiGen, LLC is supporting further research in both of these areas.

Method and Test Study Information: Needed now: Group 1 (10-15 samples) are dogs that have had a clinical diagnosis of choroidal hypoplasia only by a veterinary Ophthalmologist, and are affected by the CEA DNA test. Group 2 (10-15 samples) are dogs that have had a clinical diagnosis of choroidal hypoplasia AND Coloboma by a veterinary Ophthalmologist, and are affected by the CEA DNA test. Please make sure that, in addition to the completed form and blood sample, that the following is submitted: Pedigree, copy of the CERF (now CAER) of the eye examination form, copy of the DNA test results from either Optigen or Wisdom Health.

Contact: To participate please contact Robette Johns president@colliehealth.org or Dr. Nancy Kelso DVM collievet@msn.com. For further information from Dr. Aguirre’s office please contact Dr. Murgiano leomur@vet.upenn.edu or Ms. Lydia Melnyk lmelnyk@vet.upenn.edu.

Von Willebrand’s Disease – vWD

Study Information:

Identification of Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) causal mutation and development of a direct DNA test

Description of Study Topic: CHF is currently supporting research by looking for participants – collies that bleed excessively or unexpectedly. Prefer samples from dogs who already have results for the factor assay test and show reduced vWF factor levels.

Method and Test Study Information: Swabs available by contacting Ann Arnold at VetGen for details. Please include a blood assay test if your veterinarian has done one.

Contact:
3728 Plaza Drive, Suite 1
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108 USA
Phone: (734) 669-8440 / (800) 483-8436
Fax: (734) 669-8441
VetGen Email: vetgen@vetgen.com VetGen vWD2

Abnormalities in the Stomach’s Ability to Contract

Study Information:

Abnormalites in the Stomach’s Ability to Contract Predisposes Large-Breed Dogs to Bloat

Description of Study Topic: The goals of Dr. Nelson’s study are to determine the relationship of abnormal stomach contraction with GDV and to define the biochemical and genetic alterations that may be associated with these stomach abnormalities. In the long term, they hope to develop a test to identify dogs at high risk for GDV that would allow selective breeding to eliminate the condition and to determine which dogs will benefit most from prophylactic gastropexy or other preventive therapies

Method and Test Study Information: Contact Dr. Nelson for information

Contact:
Dr. Laura L. Nelson, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Michigan State University Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Email: michae19@cvm.msu.edu
Phone: 517-410-6847

Vesicular Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (VCLE)

Study Information:

Vesicular Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (VCLE)

Description of Study Topic: Vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE) is a variant form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) that affects predominantly adult rough Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Border Collies. Distinctive cutaneous lesions consist of annular, polycyclic and/or serpiginous erosions and ulcerations, primarily affecting the axillae, ventral abdomen and groin with frequent involvement of mucocutaneous junctions and the concave aspects of the pinnae. Microscopic changes (skin biopsy) in dogs with VCLE reveal a lymphocyte-rich interface dermatitis with evidence of basal keratinocyte apoptosis, a pathology typical of CLE.

Method and Test Study Information: Our objectives are to investigate the VCLE prevalence in Collies with a further goal of performing genome-wide association study to discover a genomic region linked to VCLE in Collies. https://www.colliehealth.org/articles/

Contact:

Frane Banovic & Robert Gogal
Immunodermatology Laboratory

College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Georgia
2200 College Station Road
Athens GA 30602 USA
Email: fbanovic@uga.edu

Epilepsy in Collies

Study Information:

Identification of Genetic Risk Factors for Epilepsy in Collies

Description of Study Topic: Dr. Leigh Anne Clark proposes to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to determine if regions of the genome are associated with epilepsy in collies. As epilepsy is a genetically complex disorder, we propose a large study comprised of 50 epileptic collies and 100
healthy control collies. In Objective 2, she will generate whole genome resequencing data from epileptic and healthy collies to identify specific genetic variants that may confer risk to, or protection from, epilepsy. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a genetic test to enable selective breeding practices that will reduce the incidence of epilepsy among collies while preserving genetic variation.

Method and Test Study Information: Blood sample. Contact Sydney Abrahams, PhD, for details. If your dog has been banked with CHIC please let Sydney Abrahams know.

Contact:

Lizzie Greif
egreif@g.clemson.edu
864-656-4696
Dept. of Genetics & Biochemistry
Clemson University
154 Poole Agricultural Center
130 McGinty Ct.
Clemson SC 29634-0318 USA

CHIC DNA Banking Project

Study Information:

Martha E. Hoffman CHIC DNA Banking Project

Description of Study Topic: Contributing to this project will be one of the most important things you can do to preserve the future of the Collie breed. With the gene pool of all purebred dogs shrinking, breeders need to make health testing the cornerstone of their breeding program. With your help, we will have a DNA bank that all approved researchers will have access to when they need samples for genetic research projects.

Method and Test Study Information: Blood sample. CHF will pay the $20 CHIC DNA Banking fee for all Collies. CHF will reimburse (with receipts) up to $125 for collection & shipping costs. We ask that you do multiple dogs at a time to keep these costs under control.

Contact:

To participate please contact Pat Jung: palary@msn.com

For more information and forms visit: https://www.colliehealth.org/dna-banking/

Epilepsy Associated with Gut Dysbiosis

Study Information:

Is Canine Epilepsy Associated with Gut Dysbiosis?

Description of Study Topic: CHF supporting the research of Companion Animal Epilepsy Research at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine to determine whether dogs with idiopathic epilepsy have alterations in their gut microbial population. We are looking for households with an epileptic dog and an unaffected dog to compare the bacterial populations within their gastrointestinal tract. Feces will be collected from both dogs to compare their gut microbiome.

Method and Test Study Information:

Requirements:

Owners must be willing to collect a one-time fecal sample from both dogs and send samples to NCSU CVM (pre-paid shipping). Owners will also be required to complete a brief online questionnaire at the time of sample collection.
All study materials, including shipping, will be covered by the study and include free fecal floatation to examine for parasites
Participation will provide additional information about epilepsy that may help your dog or other animals in the future
Households must have one dog with epilepsy and one unaffected dog
Epileptic dog must have presumptive diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy based on seizure onset between 6 months and 6 years of age, and not be on seizure medication or be on phenobarbital alone
Both dogs must not be on any other medications aside from monthly preventatives
Dogs must be fed the same diet

Contact:

Julie Nettifee, RVT, BS, VTS (Neurology)
janettif@ncsu.edu

For more info: www.go.ncsu.edu/epilepsyresearch