2007 Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference St. Louis, Missouri October 19-21, 2007 Proceedings and Summary

2007 Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club

Canine Health Conference

St. Louis, MissouriOctober 19-21, 2007

Proceedings and Summary

The Story So FarThe Story So Far

The Canine Health FoundationFounded in 1995

Seventh biennial Parent Club Conference

More than $20 million in research grants

More than 2,000 researchers from Netherlands to California


Alliances Make It HappenAmerican Kennel Club

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company

Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals


The Canine Health FoundationMission: To develop significant resources for basic and applied health programs with emphasis on canine genetics to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners.


Two funding categoriesOAK grants

$12,000 to $250,000 in value + 8% overhead

Assessed annually and peer reviewed

$1.8 million in annual funding

ACORN grants

Maximum $12,000 + 8% overhead

More than 100 approved

$400,000 annual budget


Three areas of researchPrevention

78% of major grant money

Includes genomics research

Treatment

13% of grant money

Cure

Stem cell treatments to reverse the effects of disease


Basic prevention principle

“…Don’t eradicate good dogs from your breeding

programs because they’re carriers…But that

means knowing who is and who isn’t a carrier.”


The human/canine connectionGenetically, dogs and humans are 85-100% similar

Breeding practices are responsible for many canine diseases

Research on Dobermans with narcolepsy has led to tests of a therapy that, if effective in dogs, could help 250,000 Americans

Mary Keenan

Rework this slide completely.

Genetics primerPhenotype is an animal’s appearance

Genotype is its genetic characteristics

The genotype is determined by animal’s DNAGenes are regions on a DNA strand that govern the specifics of the genotype, like hair length

DNA strands are made of nucleotide bases that combine to form the template of a gene


Genetics primer cont’dCanines have more than two billion nucleotide bases, and 20,000 unique genes, packaged in 76 DNA regions called chromosomes

Chromosomes come in pairs

Within the chromosomes, the two copies of each gene are called alleles

Each pair of genes is called a diploid, and each is responsible for a specific trait, like hair color


AllelesDogs have two alleles in each chromosomal pair

Alleles can be identical or different, dominant or recessive

In meiosis, a puppy receives one randomly selected allele from the pair of each of its parents, forming a new combination


PreventionPrevention

Breeds and genetic studyThere are about 400 domestic dog breeds, from 100-1,000 years old

Comparison of distantly related breeds that share a disease but little genetic information can reveal the most likely genetic source of the disease

Population studies allow researchers to learn a great deal from just one generation

Recommendations forhealthy breeds

Breed away from harmful alleles, before breeding for diversity

Overuse of one sire spreads harmful genes and eliminates positive ones from other good dogs

Genetic disease is controlled by reducing the frequency of dogs with defective genes

Genetic diversity is breeder diversity; we need a healthy range of opinions on the ideal dog



Approaches to breedingStrategies to encourage or discourage particular traits in dogs:

Inbreeding

Line breeding

Phenotypic breeding

Outcross breeding

Compensatory breeding


Canine Oncology and GenomicsConsortium

Samples are the key to research

A central tissue sample repository will advance research rapidly

Collection sites are already established at:

Ohio State University

Colorado State University

University of Wisconsin-Madison


Canine reproductionSpaying and neutering prevent overpopulation

56% of litters are unplanned

Neutering males reduces the risk of some diseases, increases the incidence of cruciate ligament injury

Spaying females reduces common, frequently fatal diseases, but increases the frequency of urinary incontinence


Canine vaccinationImmunity is part innate, part acquired

The acquired immune system remembers every antigen or organism it encounters

Vaccines stimulate the acquired immune system


Canine vaccination cont’dInfectious vaccines:

Modified live vaccine

Vector vaccine

Non-infectious vaccines:

Inactivated or killed vaccine

Recombinant subunit vaccine

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)

West Nile Virus

Leishmaniasis

Rabies

Intestinal Parasites

Brucellosis

Tularemia

Leptospirosis

Infectious disease

TreatmentTreatment

TreatmentTreatment

Canine ophthalmologyCHF is helping to fund research projects for two eye diseases:

Ocular melanosis in Cairn Terriers

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

TreatmentTreatment

Cruciate rupture and arthritisSigns that arthritis may cause canine cruciate rupture:

Roughening at edges of bone

Excess fluid within joint

Inflammatory cells in joint fluid

Bacteria present in many affected dogs

TreatmentTreatment

Hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonds

A genetic test for PHPT was successfully developed thanks to:

Samples from a variety of owners

Funding from CHF

Availability of technology

Nutritional TreatmentNutritional Treatment

Nutrition and theimmune system

Four stages of intervention:

Basic feeding of a complete, balanced diet

Adding nutrients like vitamin D, copper, selenium

Adding probiotics and whey protein

Tailoring the diet to the dog’s individual needs


Nutrition for the active dogPositive components in an active dog’s diet:

High fat

High protein

Antioxidants

Glucosamine

Omega-3 fatty acids


Benefits of a balanced GI tractGood bacteria help the body by:

Improving overall nutrition

Promoting a healthy immune system

Helping to treat diarrhea

Closing in on a CureClosing in on a Cure

CytotherapeuticsStem cell research is being conducted for such diverse conditions as

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Spinal cord injuries

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency


Cardiology and stem cellsAdult stem cells exist in bone marrow, the liver, and the heart

Bone marrow stem cells have the potential to become nervous tissue, bone, or heart muscle

Tests show that stem cells injected into the heart remain there


Canine cancer andstem cells

Existence of cancer stem cells has been demonstrated

Cancer stem cells can self-renew, reproduce

Mutated stem cells may resist therapy, then metastasize

Better knowledge may lead to treatment


Cancer at the breed levelGolden Retrievers have…

A high rate of cancer

Predominance of specific cancers

A high rate of immune-mediated diseases

… indicating an inherited disposition for cancer.


Responding to canine cancer myths

FACT: Even incurable cancers can be treated or managed

FACT: A “wait and see” attitude leads to tumors that are larger and likely to spread

FACT: Chemotherapy has few side effects and risks

FACT: Age is not a factor in treatment

FACT: Radiation rarely has side effects


Are we ready for cytotherapeutics?

Much to learn about the effect of stem cells on cancer

Research funding is weighted toward prevention

Support of dog owners is needed

What’s Next?What’s Next?

Canine Health Information CenterOpen Health Database and DNA repository

Uses test protocols set by Parent Clubs

Allows breeders to take advantage of future DNA tests

Enjoys enormous participation in sample submission


Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Online survey

Current pilots: Labrador Retriever and Australian Cattle Dog

Gives Parent Clubs access to technological expertise

First come, first served


American Kennel Club UpdateAKC Veterinary Outreach

Scholarships

College seminars

Internship program

AKC Veterinary Network

Bridges clubs and veterinary community

Public education

Provides resources to individuals, clubs


Canine LegislationDangerous dog laws

Cruelty to animals

Tethering

Breeding restrictions

AKC Legislative Affairs can help!


AKC-CHF FundraisingMEETING THE CHALLENGE

We need your support

Contributions

Volunteers to tell the story

CALL US TODAY!

Jeff Sossamon

(888) 682-9696

[email protected]

Documents

2007 Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference St. Louis, Missouri October 19-21, 2007 Proceedings and Summary