Samples Needed for Study of Chronic Hepatitis in Standard Poodles

Researchers at Colorado State University have begun a new study of Standard Poodles with chronic hepatitis, a severe and often fatal disease that causes inflammation and death of liver tissue.  Led by David Twedt, DVM, DACVIM, the researchers are collecting information and samples from affected dogs to accurately document and describe chronic hepatitis and to determine the cause, including possible genes involved.  They hope to develop effective ways to prevent and treat the disease.

Chronic hepatitis is seen most often in middle-aged to older dogs.  Early in the disorder, liver enzyme tests are abnormal, but the dog seems healthy.  Later signs may include a sudden onset of jaundice, decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy or abdominal distention.  The disease can progress to cirrhosis of the liver and death.

For their research, Dr. Twedt and his colleagues need a sample of liver tissue from the affected Standard Poodle (fresh from a biopsy or preserved in formalin), a small blood sample, a four generation pedigree (if available) and an owner consent form.  The study can help reimburse your veterinarian for collection and shipping of samples, and planned biopsies can be processed at no charge through the Colorado State team’s laboratory.  The researchers will be happy to talk with you and your veterinarian to determine whether your dog should be entered into the study.

Identity of dogs in the study (and their lines) will be strictly confidential, known only by the research team.             

For more information, please contact Dr. Twedt or Dr. Allison Bradley:

Polymicrogyria Research In Standard Poodles
Samples Still Needed from Affected Dogs
Dennis O'Brien, DVM, PhD

The Comparative Neurology Program at the University of Missouri has continued our research into polymicrogyria in Standard Poodles. This disease appears to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Affected pups are born with a brain malformation call polymicrogyria. The brain is normally folded into a wrinkled surface. The folds are call "gyri" from the Greek word "gyros" meaning "to turn" as in gyroscope or gyrate. In polymicrogyria, rather than forming large, well organized folds, the back portions of the brain form many (poly-) small (-micro-) folds (-gyria). The area of the brain affected is the portion that controls vision. Thus affected pups have varying degrees of vision problems and may circle incessantly. While affected pups can survive, they tend have serious difficulties and may develop seizures and serious behavioral issues as they get older.

To map the gene responsible for polymicrogyria, we utilized the latest generation of SNP chips, automated gene mapping tools that permit us to find an association between a disease and markers in an area of the genome. With this approach we located the area where the gene for polymicrogyria should reside to a small area of the genome referred to as a locus. Within this locus there are 17 genes, one of which is probably the culprit.

As with any research, there are still pitfalls ahead and we cannot guarantee we will succeed. Nonetheless, we are optimistic that we will find the gene responsible and provide a DNA test for polymicrogyria as we did for neonatal encephalopathy. We welcome additional samples from polymicrogyria-affected poodles. For information on sample submission, please contact Liz Hansen at 573-884-3712 or Hansenl@missouri.edu.

Epilepsy Research

The PCA Foundation is currently supporting University of Missouri research searching for the genetic basis of epilepsy in poodles. Samples are needed from poodles affected with epilepsy, as well as normal siblings, parents and grandparents when available. You can get information and forms at www.caninegeneticdiseases.net (click on EPILEPSY) or at www.canine-epilepsy.net, under SAMPLE SUBMISSION. The researchers are requesting that owners take a short online Seizure Survey found near the end of the sample submission page. If you have questions, please contact:

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP) and Patellar
Luxation (PL) in Toy and Miniature Poodles

Clemson University researchers are conducting a Poodle–specific study on these common orthopedic disorders. Breeds of small stature comprise the overwhelming majority of LCP cases, strongly suggesting a genetic component, and Poodles are also among breeds that appear predisposed to develop PL. Using whole genome association mapping, the Clemson team is seeking genes that may be involved. As always, we need samples from affected dogs to get answers! If you know owners of Toy or Miniature Poodles with LCP or PL, please encourage them to participate. For each dog, the researchers need a blood sample, pedigree, and documentation of LCP and/or PL diagnosis. Forms and shipping instructions are available by contacting Dr. Alison Starr at (864) 656-0191 or at astarr@clemson.edu.

Sebaceous Adenitis Study

The Poodle Club of America Foundation is supporting a study on the genetics of Sebaceous Adenitis in Standard Poodles by Niels Pedersen, DVM, PhD at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Pedersen is Director of the Center for Companion Health and the Genetics Laboratory. He has recently expanded this research on SA by joining in collaboration with groups already involved in whole genome mapping with this type of study on SA in Standard Poodles. Dr. Pedersen will also be working with the group at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, UK headed by Mike Boursnell, PhD. More information can be found at Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH) under "Quick Links" where there is a link to "Poodle Club of America Foundation Sebaceous Adenitis Research." Details on the SA research and the UK collaboration can be found under "research proposal," and a downloadable form and instructions for submitting samples are available under "information form."

Download the Sample submission form and instructions here. For additional information about this study please visit the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health. You may also e-mail study leader Dr. Niels Pedersen at ncpedersen@ucdavis.edu or assistant Katy Robertson at krrobertson@ucdavis.edu.

Van Andel Research Institute Launches New Canine Cancer Studies!
Samples Needed from Dogs with Cancer

The Van Andel Research Institute, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is pleased to share that we have received a "Grand Opportunities" (GO grant) from the National Institutes of Health. This is enabling the Institute to expand its canine cancer studies, which started with a project investigating hemangiosarcoma in Clumber spaniels 18 months ago, into a much broader research program. We are launching a new center of excellence in canine genetics and genomics. The first and most important program is the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC), which is headed by Drs. Jeff Trent (TGen), Nick Duesbery (Van Andel Research Institute), and Paul Meltzer (National Cancer Institute/NIH). The program is an unprecedented alliance of scientists, veterinarians and physicians. Drs. Duesbery and Froman are intensely focused on recruiting canine cancer patients for the study through a variety of clinical outreach programs. Samples from canine patients will not only allow the researchers to identify genes responsible for breed-specific susceptibilities (such as hemangiosarcoma in Clumber spaniels and osteosarcoma in Greyhounds), but also to translate these discoveries into new and more precise diagnostics and therapeutics for both canine and human cancer patients. The ultimate goal is to take personalized medicine for dogs to unscaled heights!
The CHCC has been developed to investigate five initial cancers in dogs, which also affect people. The first five cancers we'll be researching are:

• Hemangiosarcoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Lymphoma
• Malignant histiocytosis
• Melanoma (oral and digital)

In order to move forward, we need your help. The Institute will be studying only naturally occurring tumors, so we need the assistance of owners with dogs who develop any of the above types of cancer. We are requesting fresh (NOT in formalin) tumor samples when the dog has surgery, a biopsy or is euthanized. We also need 3 mls of blood in an EDTA (purple top) tube. If a tumor sample is not immediately available, (a dog who has had surgery, for example), a blood sample is still useful.

If your dog is scheduled for surgery, please contact VARI ahead of time so we can FedEx a tumor collection kit to your veterinarian. You can contact the CHCC at 616.234.5569. You may also email Dr. Froman at roe.froman@vai.org Consent forms and more information for veterinarians can be accessed and downloaded from our website. In addition, we are collecting DNA samples from a wide variety of healthy, purebred dogs, for use as controls. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Organizations may submit grant applications to receive Poodle Club of America Foundation, Inc. funding to support projects such as poodle related health research, veterinary research or educational programs. Please note that requests for research grants must be received by April 1st.

Grant Application

Download the grant application by clicking here.