Research - Please Help If Possible

The following are some ongoing health research studies - Please participate if possible to help beat these terrible diseases.

Thank You In Advance For Your Participation

CANDIDATE GENE SEARCH FOR DCM GENES IN THE GREAT DANE:

Drs. Oyama & Meurs, recognized leaders in the field of canine cardiology research, are looking at some candidate genes in the Great Dane they believe may well be vitally important to the disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). You can help. The researchers not only need to have direct contact with any Danes diagnosed with DCM, they need DNA samples from OLDER VETERAN DANES who are healthy and not affected by heart disease. Data will be shared with the LUPA cardiology project for the breed (an ongoing commitment of Drs. Meurs & Oyama). See the form for details.

Form in .rtf version available at the GDCA website here: http://www.gdca.org/health/candidategenesearch.htm
Form in .pdf version available here: http://sharlaitdanes.com/DNA_Collection_Form.pdf

Questions? Email or call the H&R Chairman (contact info directly follows).

Best regards, JP Yousha
Chairman, Health and Research Committee
Great Dane Club of America
http://www.gdca.org/healthandwelfare.htm

danehealth@gdca.org
432-684-8940 (TX)

This would be a great time to mention that if you have a blood draw done for the gene search consider having a second tube drawn for the
OFA's DNA REPOSITORY

The form can be downloaded here:
http://www.offa.org/chicdnabank.html

HOD Study - Your help requested

Dr. Alison Starr of Clemson University is beginning a study on Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (H.O.D.) in the Great Dane & is asking for samples from puppies who currently have H.O.D. _AND_ all dogs still living who had H.O.D. as a puppy. If we are going to solve this puzzling disease, we need the Dane community to step up and help out by volunteering their dogs, please!

If you think you can help, please contact the researcher with your information and/or your questions:

What is needed?
1. BLOOD SAMPLE: 3-5 ml in EDTA (purple top) tube.
2. Veterinary records with a confirmation of diagnosis
(Xrays are ideal but not necessary).
3. Pedigree & family history.

Alison Starr, Ph.D.
Research Assitant Professor
Clemson University
51 New Cherry St; 319 BRC
office: 864.656.0191
fax: 864.656.0393

CANCER STUDY - Your help requested

The Van Andel Research Institute, a world class human cancer research institute, recently received a Federally fund grant through the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, to study five types of cancer that occur in both dogs and humans. The ultimate goal is to develop improved diagnostics and more individualized therapies for both canines and people.
We are requesting the help of purebred dog owners, who may own a dog affected with one of these cancers. The five initial cancers we are studying are:

1) Hemangiosarcoma
2) Lymphoma
3) Osteosarcoma
4) Malignant histiocytosis
5) Melanoma of the mouth or toe
We are requesting fresh (NOT in formalin, NOT frozen) tissue samples from tumors, when pets have biopsies, surgeries such as splenectomies, or are euthanized. Samples may be collected post mortem, as the euthanasia solution does not affect the DNA in either the dog's blood or in the tumor cells.

Additionally, if you have a dog with one of these cancers who has already been treated (splenectomy, chemo, etc), we would still appreciate a blood sample along with a histopath report confirming the diagnosis. We need 3-5 mls of whole blood in an EDTA (purple top) tube. It can be sent priority mail, and blood can be shipped at room temperature. If the pet is scheduled for surgery or, sadly, euthanasia, if you or your veterinarian contact us ahead of time, we can FedEx a collection kit which includes an overnight FedEx return shipping form, along with collection media and containers.
Owner consent forms and veterinary info pages can be found on our website, at:
http://www.vai.org/helpingdogs
I will be happy to answer any questions I can, as well. Owners, veterinarians and researchers working together will help us to
unravel some of the mysteries of these nasty diseases.
Roe Froman, DVM
Senior Veterinary Research Scientist
Van Andel Research Institute
333 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.234.5556
roe.froman@vai.org
www.vai.org

DCM RESEARCH
GDCA www.gdca.org/healthandwelfare.htm danehealth@gdca.org DCM Great Danes Yahoo support group