Golden Retriever Research: 

A Legacy of Hope

 

With your generous financial support, the Golden Retriever Foundation funds a diverse range of health research studies investigating diseases such as several types of cancers, swallowing disorders, cataracts, SAS, and other issues of importance to the breed.  In order to succeed, several of these studies require the cooperation of owners and participation of affected dogs. 

 

For some studies, it is important that the dogs NOT be started on any medications prior to enrollment, or that biopsy or surgical samples be prepared in a specific manner, so please make contact as soon as possible when a diagnosis is suspected.  Remember also that dogs owned by non-GRCA members are eligible for these studies, and please consider referring other Golden owners when possible.

 

We recognize that it takes great courage to look beyond one’s own sorrow when a special dog is diagnosed with a devastating disease, and we applaud the owners who participate in these research studies.  Sometimes in the midst of sadness, helping to work toward a better future allows our beloved dogs to leave a legacy of hope to the next generation.

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For more information, questions, or assistance

Please contact the GRCA Research Facilitator:

Rhonda Hovan        rhondahovan@aol.com        330-668-0044

Molecular Epidemiology of Ehrlichia and Bartonella Species Infection in Golden Retrievers with Lymphoma

Principal Investigator: Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, North Carolina State University , College of Veterinary Medicine , ed_breitschwerdt@ncsu.edu                            

Study Coordinator: Ashlee Duncan, MS, North Carolina State University , College of Veterinary Medicine , awduncan@ncsu.edu

To a substantial degree, the factor or factors that induce lymphoma in dogs remain unknown. Hypothetically, the development of lymphoma within a 
population shown to be at increased risk for the disease, such as the Golden Retriever breed, reflects a multi-factorial sequence of events; these events
 include interactions between nutritional, environmental (infection and toxicity), immunologic, and genetic factors. Increasingly, researchers have provided 
evidence to support a potential role of bacteria as cofactors in the development of cancer in people. 

The 1998 Golden Retriever Health Survey showed a statistically significant decrease in lymphoma among Golden Retrievers that had been treated 
with flea and tick prevention products.  This research project will investigate the potential role of selected flea- and tick-borne bacteria as co-factors
 in the development of lymphoma in dogs, thereby examining one mechanism by which the data from the 1998 study might be explained – that 
infection with Bartonella and/or Ehrlichia species bacteria may predispose susceptible dogs to develop lymphoma. The study also will help 
determine the prevalence of these bacteria in Golden Retrievers and will provide data to evaluate the accuracy of serological testing, which indicates 
exposure to these bacteria, in comparison with molecular (PCR) testing, which is indicative of active infection with these bacteria. The purpose of 
this study is to search for evidence of Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma infection in Golden Retriever dogs with lymphoma, as compared to age- and sex-matched Golden Retrievers from the same geographic region.  Obtaining identical samples from healthy control dogs will be critical to the scientific evaluation of data obtained from Golden Retrievers with lymphoma. 

This study was initiated by an interaction of GRCA members, members of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation’s Health and 
Genetics Committee, and the study investigators in response to emerging concerns that there may be an association between flea- and tick-borne 
Notice from the GRCA Health & Genetics Committee
The Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the NCSU  College of  Veterinary
Medicine is recruiting cases for a funded research project, which is investigating the potential role of selected flea- and tick-borne bacteria as 
co-factors in the development of lymphoma in Golden Retrievers.  This two-year study is being funded exclusively by the Golden Retriever 
Foundation and the Canine Health Foundation. 
The 1998 Golden Retriever Health Survey showed a statistically significant decrease in lymphoma among Golden Retrievers that had been treated 
with flea and tick prevention products.  This research project will examine one mechanism by which these data might be explained - that infection
 with Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma species bacteria may predispose susceptible dogs to develop lymphoma. 
The purpose of this study is to search for evidence of Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma infection in Golden Retriever dogs with lymphoma, 
as compared to age- and sex-matched Golden Retrievers from the same geographic region.  Obtaining identical samples from healthy control dogs 
will be critical to the scientific evaluation of data obtained from Golden Retrievers with lymphoma.  
Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt is the principal investigator and Ashlee Duncan is the graduate student responsible for the project. 

The entry criteria for a case include: Golden Retrievers with a new diagnosis of lymphoma that have not received any antibiotics within 14 days
 prior to sample collection (or 30 days for azithromycin).  Samples should be collected prior to induction of chemotherapeutic agents.

The minimum entry criteria for a control include: Golden Retrievers residing within 100 miles of the case dog and lacking clinical evidence of 
lymphadenopathy, making the possibility of undetected lymphoma unlikely.  Additionally, these control dogs must not have received any antibiotics 
within 14 days prior to sample collection (or 30 days for azithromycin).  For each case, two to three control dogs will be utilized.  If possible, these 
healthy dogs should be similar in age (± 18 months) and sex as the case dog.  Healthy dogs may be identified by the owner of the case dog, selected 
by the case's attending veterinarian, or recruited through the Golden Retriever Club of America.  
Cases and controls recruited will receive free serological and molecular testing for Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma (a $360.00 value based 
on current serology/PCR testing costs in our laboratory). Samples to be collected for this research include whole blood, serum, lymph node aspirate
(s), and buccal swab(s).
Please contact us at 919-513-8279 or awduncan@ncsu.edu for further information.

 

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