The potential for advancements in canine research is greater than ever, and Cornell has a legacy of transformative contributions upon which to build.
Cornell offers expertise from the very beginning of the research continuum, when scientists ask a question starting with a hypothesis on the molecular level in our labs, through the stages of how research findings translate to humans, to how discoveries can be tested in clinical settings, and finally to our clinicians carrying out the medical advancements in our hospitals and clinics.
We are making a difference in canine health. Read about how the Cornell Margaret and Richard Riney Canine Health Center is helping dogs live LONGER, HEALTHIER, HAPPIER lives.
Funding through the Cornell Margaret and Richard Riney Canine Health Center - Getting us closer to the cause of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a rare but devastating condition causing hip pain and lameness. Its cause is currently unknown, so Dr. Rory Todhunter is searching the canine genome for mutations that might be involved.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease typically shows up in small dog breeds, striking when dogs are just months old. It occurs when the ball at the top of the femur loses its blood supply and breaks down inside the hip joint. The only solutions are an invasive surgery to remove the ball of the femur—or a total hip replacement—which is expensive and traumatic for the dog.
The condition occasionally affects humans, but the trigger causing the blood loss and degeneration remains a mystery despite years of research. Some have proposed that a clotting disorder or a prior injury may be to blame.