Partnering with AKC and CHF
The Pekingese Charitable Foundation raised funds for veterinary research in problems affecting our breed. Through partnership with the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and more recently Morris Animal Foundation, our goal is to sponsor meaningful research projects for conditions such as intervertebral disk disease, congestive heart failure, corneal disease, seizures, allergic skin diseases and many others.
If you would like to help please make a contribution to the Pekingese Charitable Foundation's Health fund.
Research Support History
February 4, 2020
Morris Animal Foundation: Studies supported by The Pekingese Charitable Foundation, Inc.
D05CA-306, Noninvasive Prediction of Congestive Heart Failure by Doppler Echocardiography
Description: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common and often fatal medical disorder in dogs. It causes fluid accumulation in the lungs with associated respiratory symptoms. Currently, chest radiography is considered the gold standard for diagnosing CHF in at-risk dogs. However, this method of diagnosis isn’t always completely accurate, particularly when the dog may have combined heart and lung disease. In addition, radiography exposes both veterinary personnel and canine patients to ionizing radiation and in many situations requires heavy sedation of the dog. This project will test the use of cardiac ultrasound in identifying CHF in dogs. This method could provide veterinarians with a simple and noninvasive tool for early detection and therapeutic monitoring of CHF that could replace repeated radiography and limit a dog’s exposure to radiation and need for sedation.
Results: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common and often fatal condition in dogs suffering from heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral valve disease. CHF causes fluid accumulation in the lungs with associated respiratory symptoms. Currently, chest x-rays or cardiac catheterization is considered the gold standard for diagnosing CHF in at-risk dogs. However, these methods expose veterinary personnel and canine patients to detrimental radiation, and these methods frequently require heavy sedation of the dog. Scientists from The Ohio State University have just completed a successful study that validated the use of a common, noninvasive ultrasound method, Doppler echocardiography, to diagnose CHF in canine heart disease patients. This newly adapted use of ultrasound will provide veterinarians with a simple and noninvasive tool for early detection and therapeutic monitoring of CHF.
Publications:
Detection of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs by Doppler Echocardiography, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2010
Effects of treatment on respiratory rate, serum natriuretic peptide concentration, and Doppler echocardiographic indices of left ventricular filling pressure in dogs with congestive heart failure secondary to degenerative mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2011
Estimation of left ventricular filling pressure by use of Doppler echocardiography in healthy anesthetized dogs subjected to acute volume loading, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2008
D16CA-048, Controlling itch and inflammation in dogs with atopic dermatitis
Scientific Title: Role of TSLP in canine atopic dermatitis – A new target to inhibit itch and inflammation in dogs
Wolfgang Baeumer, DrMedVet, North Carolina State University
RESULTS: Protein plays role in atopic dermatitis but warrants more study. Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers from North Carolina State University recently completed a study focused on understanding the role of an inflammation-promoting protein, cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), in atopic dermatitis, a chronic relapsing allergic skin disease. Early studies suggested that TSLP plays a central role in the initiation and maintenance of atopic dermatitis in several species. However, little was known about TSLP and its itch-inducing role in dogs.
The research team confirmed increased expression of TSLP in canine skin cells in response to house dust mite antigen under laboratory conditions but, despite multiple attempts, they were unable to isolate enough protein to study its function. Moving forward, one of the group’s long-term goals is to develop an antibody directed against TSLP for evaluation as a potential therapy. The team also developed a new system to test any antibody they create.
The group has presented their findings at two conferences, including a poster presentation at the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology in Bordeaux, France, and anticipates two publications arising from their work.
Novel treatments for atopic dermatitis and other diseases characterized by itch in dogs remains elusive. The results of this study will provide a new model for testing future compounds aimed at decreasing the itch and pain associated with many skin diseases in dogs.
Publication:
Calcium imaging of primary canine sensory neurons: Small‐diameter neurons responsive to pruritogens and algogens, Brain and Behavior, 2019
D20CA-031 Development of a Novel Point-of-Care Prognostic Test of Neural Injury for Dogs - PCA Donation $10,000.00
Dr. Natasha J Olby, VetMB, PhD North Carolina State University Study Start Date: 9/1/2019 Projected End Date: 9/1/2021 Grant Amount: $100,956.00
SUMMARY: Researchers will develop a rapid bedside test to quickly assess the severity of central nervous system injury in dogs.
DESCRIPTION: Neurological emergencies are a common problem in dogs. With limited tools – as well as the added expense of imaging that some owners simply can’t afford – gauging the severity of these cases often is challenging. Studies show structural proteins of the central nervous system (CNS) can be detected in the blood following injury. The blood levels of these important proteins can be used to quantify injury severity and help predict recovery. Researchers will design a rapid, point-of-care test to measure CNS structural proteins following injury and then evaluate the test’s performance on banked blood samples from 100 dogs with spinal cord injury who have known outcomes. An inexpensive test that provides rapid prognosis of a wide range of CNS injury will give owners and veterinarians crucial information to make the best treatment decisions for an injured dog.
AKC Canine Health Foundation - Pekingese Charitable Foundation Research History
| Grant and Research Program Area | Fund | Commitment Date | Support Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02409-A: Targeting bacterial adhesion via blocking the scavenger receptor type B1 in vitro to improve non-invasive pyometra therapy outcome. Dr. Cordula Gabriel, PhD; University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna. Program Area: Reproductive Conditions and Disease. Project Dates: 1/1/2018 to 2/29/2020; Grant Amount: $14,904.00 | Cash | 4/26/2018 | $5,000.00 |
| 02409-A: Targeting bacterial adhesion via blocking the scavenger receptor type B1 in vitro to improve non-invasive pyometra therapy outcome. Dr. Cordula Gabriel, PhD; University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna. Program Area: Reproductive Conditions and Disease. Project Dates: 1/1/2018 to 2/29/2020; Grant Amount: $14,904.00 | DAF | 4/26/2018 | $5,000.00 |
| 02264-A: Role of Escherichia Coli Biofilm in the Pathogenesis of Canine Pyometra Dr. Marco A Coutinho da Silva, DVM, PhD; The Ohio State University Program Area: Reproductive Conditions and Disease Project Dates: 5/1/2016 to 2/28/2018; Grant Amount: $7,431.88 | Cash | 12/29/2016 | $5,000.00 |
| 02118-A: Identification of a Lipid Receptor in the Canine Endometrium to Support Non-Invasive Therapy in Pyometra. Dr. Cordula Bartel, PhD; University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna Program Area: Reproductive Conditions and Disease Project Dates: 7/1/2014 to 11/30/2015; Grant Amount: $10,368.00 | Cash | 12/31/2015 | $5,000.00 |
| 02103-AT: A novel Th2-skewed vaccine against canine periodontitis. Dr. Paola Massari, PhD; Tufts University Program Area: General Canine Health Project Dates: 1/1/2016 to 4/30/2016; Grant Amount: $5,630.31 | Cash | 12/14/2015 | $5,000.00 |
| 01529-A: Platelet, myocardial, and valvular serotonin concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with mitral valve disease. Dr. Mark A. Oyama, DVM; University of Pennsylvania Program Area: Cardiology Project Dates: 12/1/2010 to 11/30/2012; Grant Amount: $10,305.31 | DAF | 12/19/2012 | $503.43 |
| 00305: Histocompatibility Alleles Conferring Susceptibility to Canine Diabetes, Immune-Mediated Thyroiditis and Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Wayne Potts, PhD; University of Utah Program Area: Endocrinology Project Dates: 7/1/2004 to 6/30/2006; Grant Amount: $120,960.00 | DAF | 9/17/2004 | $2,500.00 |
| 00305: Histocompatibility Alleles Conferring Susceptibility to Canine Diabetes, Immune-Mediated Thyroiditis and Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Wayne Potts, PhD; University of Utah Program Area: Endocrinology Project Dates: 7/1/2004 to 6/30/2006; Grant Amount: $120,960.00 | Cash | 9/17/2004 | $5,000.00 |
| 00305: Histocompatibility Alleles Conferring Susceptibility to Canine Diabetes, Immune-Mediated Thyroiditis and Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Wayne Potts, PhD; University of Utah Program Area: Endocrinology Project Dates: 7/1/2004 to 6/30/2006; Grant Amount: $120,960.00 | DAF | $2,500.00 | |
| Total Pekingese Charitable Foundation (9 items) | $35,503.43 |