Subject: ASHGI News: ASHGI Research Advisory, March 2009

ASHGI Research Advisory
March 2009

The following would like samples or data from Aussies. If you can assist, please do so. Please feel free to forward, reprint in club newsletters, etc.

NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS (NCL)
NCL is a lethal neurological disease. Symptoms can include vision problems, loss of coordination, loss of training, personality changes (e.g. increased aggressiveness), movement problems (e.g. loss of ability to jump up onto an elevated surface or falling over), and seizures. They are interested in Aussies that are exhibiting any of these symptoms.
http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/CL_site/basicCL.htm
Contact: Dr. Martin Katz
KatzM@health.missouri.edu

EFFECTS OF MDR1 ON ANTI-SEIZURE MED EFFECTIVENESS
The study's goal is to determine whether the MDR1 mutation makes epileptic dogs less responsive to seizure control medications. Samples (cheek swabs and a blood sample) needed from purebred Australian Shepherds with epilepsy who are currently being treated with anti-seizure medications.
Contact: Julie Osborne, Study Coordinator
Julie_Osborne@ncsu.edu
919-513-6812

HYALOID ARTERIES
This project seeks to determine if these are hereditary and why a few of them will be associated with cataracts.
Contact: Kylie Munyard, PhD
Curtin University of Technology, Australia
Munyard@exchange.curtin.edu.au

CANINE BEHAVIORAL GENETICS
The study is currently focusing on problem behaviors with long-term goals of determining the genetic basis for a wide variety of canine behaviors. Understanding the genetics of these traits can aid breeders in the proper rearing, training and homing of puppies and dogs. They are collecting data via questionnaires and DNA cheek swabs. They would especially like samples from family groups where several members exhibit the same behavioral trait but some do not. Sound shyness would be a trait of this type common in Aussies.
http://psych.ucsf.edu/k9behavioralgenetics/
Contact Melanie Chang
K9BehavioralGenetics@lppi.ucsf.edu
415-476-7898
Or use automated kit order system:
http://psych.ucsf.edu/k9behavioralgenetics/kits.html

CATARACTS
The Animal Health Trust in the UK has identified a gene responsible for most Aussie cataracts and has released a screening test. They are now trying to determine the reason for the considerable variation in age of onset and progression of our hereditary cataracts and are still seeking samples and data on affected dogs ONLY.
ASHGI is coordinating sample submission in North America and Australia.
Contact: ASHGI
51ca@ ashgi.org
559 485-2136
European contacts here:
http://www.ashgi.org/research.htm

HYPOTHYROIDISM AND OWNER-DIRECTED AGRESSION
This project's goal is to establish whether thyroid replacement treatment is helpful in treating behavior problems. They need dogs exhibiting owner-directed aggression and may provide testing if thyroid status is unknown.
Contact: Nicole Cottam
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
508 887-4802
Nicole.cottam@tuft.edu

EPILEPSY
Dr. Ned Patterson, University of Minnesota - The goal of this project is to develop a DNA screening test for this disease in Australian Shepherds. They would like samples from affected dogs and their unaffected relatives 2 generations any direction and also from a few unaffected unrelated dogs 6 years or older to serve as controls. Dr. Patterson is a member of the Canine Epilepsy Network (CEN) and has access to those samples, but if anyone wants to send him a second sample it never hurts to have a little more DNA.
Study forms are available on the ASHGI website:
http://www.ashgi.org/research.htm
Contact:
Neuromuscular Genetics Lab
University of Minnesota
C339 Veterinary Teaching Hospitals
1352 Boyd Ave.
St. Paul MN 55108
612-624-5322

HEMANGIOSARCOMA (HSA), LYMPHOMA AND SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS
HSA is our breed's #1 cancer; it is extremely rapid in onset with no effective treatment. Lymphoma is #2. Initial treatment often induces a period of remission but the cancer returns in most cases. Soft tissue sarcomas occur in the breed with lesser frequency. The purpose of the project is to determine which regions of the canine genome are recurrently associated with the incidence of these cancers. They are also interested in samples from dogs with histiocytic malignancies.
They will need tumor tissue samples and necropsy samples.
Necropsy samples may be submitted provided:
1. They are collected and shipped on the day of death
2. The dog has NOT been receiving chemotherapy for the cancer.
The researchers at North Carolina State University have requested that each breed provide a single contact person who will answer questions and assist owners with sample and data submission. Kim Monti, who lost her SAR dog, Thor, to HSA, has been appointed to fill this position.
Contact: Kim Monti
4aussies_16paws @ foxwoodkennel.com
505-890-6150
ASHGI is raising funds to support this study. If you would
like to donate, go to http://www.ashgi.org/donate.htm

LYMPHOMA
This cancer is usually fatal because it develops resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. The goal of this project is to determine the reason for the drug resistance on the molecular DNA level to understand why this takes place. The ultimate goal is to improve clinical treatment for canine lymphoma and save dogs' lives.
If you live in the vicinity of North Carolina State University and have an Australian Shepherd with lymphoma, please consider taking it to the university's oncology clinic for treatment and so the researchers can obtain samples and data from your dog.
ASHGI is raising funds to support this study. If you would like to donate, go to http://www.ashgi.org/donate.htm
UPDATE
A screening test for lymphoma is now available from PetScreen Limited in Nottingham (UK). If you would like to screen for lymphoma, visit the website of PetScreen at: http://www.pet-screen.com/web/PETSCR/index.cfm?s=1

NEW
UC DAVIS INVESTIGATES CANINE BLADDER STONES
A genetic mutation which causes hyperuricosuriain Dalmatians was recently identified by researchers at the University of California-Davis. They are now trying to determine whether this mutation, which predisposes animal to bladder stones composed of urate, is present in other breeds.
Fortunately, bladder stones are rare in Aussies but it can be painful for affected dogs and severe cases are potentially life-threatening if left untreated. It can also be expensive, requiring surgery to remove stones and restore urinary flow.
If you have an Aussie that has been diagnosed with urate bladder stones, contact Nili Karmiat UCD to offer a DNA sample from your dog: nkarmi@ucdavis.edu