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Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute

Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute

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Current Research for Aussies

Shortcut list:

 Border Collie Collapse (aka EIC) – Epilepsy

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER:  While cheek swabs do not require cooling, if you or your vet’s office plan to ship blood or tissue samples it is vital that they be sent by overnight service with cold packs.  In hot weather extra packs may be necessary. 

 ASHGI  provides financial support to select research projects. If you would like to contribute to ASHGI’s Research Support Fund, please donate now!

Click Here to make a donation

There are no studies recruiting blood or tissue samples for cancer at this time.  We suggest that owners of Aussies with cancer in the US or Canada submit blood samples to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals CHIC DNA Repository.  (They take cheek swab samples but these provide only limited DNA and we do not recommend them for this purpose.)

For European owners of dogs with hemangiosarcoma or lymphoma, please consider submitting samples to the Animal Health Trust (see below).

There are often ongoing clinical studies.  These frequently require geographic proximity to the study location.  You can search for active studies seeking participants on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website.

ASHGI is underwriting this effort.

Epilepsy

Project: Canine Epilepsy
Goal: To identify genes responsible for causing epilepsy in various breeds of dog, including the Australian Shepherd, and develop a DNA screening test.
Conducted by: Dr.Ned E. Patterson Canine Epilepsy Network
University of Minnesota
Samples needed: Purebred Australian Shepherds:
  • Dogs affected with epilepsy
  • Normal dogs 8 years of age or older
Whole blood in EDTA tubes. Sample submission forms and seizure survey: University of Minnesota Main Page
Contact Katie Minor Neuromuscular Genetics LabUniversity of Minnesota C339 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals 1352 Boyd Ave. St. Paul MN 55108 612-624-5322
ASHGI has partnered with the AKC Canine Health Foundation to support this research. If you are in Europe there is an Aussie epilepsy study there.  Please contact Hannes Lohi at the University of Helsinki. He is collaborating with Dr. Patterson on this study.

Epilepsy

Project: The Use of Accelerometry to Detect Seizure Activity in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy
Goal: To develop an easily worn, inexpensive device to detect seizures and provide data to help veterinarians make informed treatment decisions as well as reduce the risk of injury or death from unobserved seizures.
Conducted by: Karen Munana DVM, North Carolina State University
Participation Requirements
  • Dogs experiencing an average of 3 generalized seizures a month despite treatment
  • Age of seizure onset 6 mos to 6 yrs, with 1 year documented seizure history
  • Owners must have smartphone and wireless internet access at home.
  • Owners must travel to NCSU’s for 3 visits over 6 months
For additional Information:  go.ncsu.edu/epilepsyresearch
Contact Julie Nettifee North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Clinical Sciences & Comparative Medicine Institute 1052 William Moore Drive Lab B236 Raleigh, NC 27607 919-513-6812 janettif@ncsu.edu

Epilepsy

Project: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain axis in canine epilepsy-Determining the role of Lactobacilli
Goal: To evaluate the role of certain intestinal bacteria in the management of epilepsy in dogs.
Conducted by: Karen Munana DVM, North Carolina State University
Participation Requirements
  • Dogs diagnosed with epilepsy who are not currently receiving anti-seizure medication which live in the same household as a non-epileptic dog
  • Owners willing to collect and ship stool samples to NCSU
  • Owners must fill out a brief questionnaire related to the dog’s environment, diet and health.
For additional Information:  go.ncsu.edu/epilepsyresearch
Contact Julie Nettisfree North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Clinical Sciences & Comparative Medicine Institute 1052 William Moore Drive Lab B236 Raleigh, NC 27607 919-513-6812 janettif@ncsu.edu
ASHGI has partnered with the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Toby’s Foundation to support this research.

Border Collie
Collapse

Goal: To identify genes responsible for causing BCC in Australian Shepherds and Border Collies and develop a DNA screening test.
Conducted by: James Mickelson PhD University of Minnesota Samples needed from purebred Australian Shepherds and Border Collies that have exhibited an episode of collapse during exercise, stockdog trial dogs preferred.
Sample type: blood preferred
Other requirements: completed questionnaire (provided by UMinn)
pedigree
Contact: Katie Minor Neuromuscular Genetics Lab University of Minnesota C339 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals 1352 Boyd Ave. St. Paul MN 55108 612-624-5322