Chronic Superficial Keratitis (Pannus) in Working Dog Breeds
Chronic superficial keratitis, or pannus, is an immune-related eye disease in which lesions develop on the cornea. Pannus management requires lifelong treatment with topical corticosteroids to prevent vision impairment or blindness. The disease affects many dog breeds but occurs most often in the German Shepherd Dog. Belgian shepherd breeds, such as the Belgian Malinois, Tervuren, and Sheepdog are also frequently diagnosed. The Evans Lab is conducting a study to identify genetic risk factors for pannus.
If you own a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Tervuren or Sheepdog, you can help us!
More Information
Blood samples (2-3mL in EDTA tube) are needed from German Shepherd Dogs and Belgian Tervurens, Malinois, or Sheepdogs (Groenendael) diagnosed with pannus. Blood samples from dogs of these breeds who are at least 8 years old with no history of eye disease and no known close relatives with pannus are also needed. For additional information or to provide a sample, please contact The Evans Lab.
Compensation: The study pays the shipping costs for the sample to be mailed to the lab.
Owner Responsibility: Owners may ship a blood sample to the lab or a sample may be taken during a visit to CUHA. The owner shall read all provided consent and informational materials; if consent is given to take a blood sample for research, then the sample will be collected during the visit to CUHA or at the referring veterinarian. No other participation is required.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Gastric Adenocarcinoma (Stomach Cancer)
Gastric adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease that often goes undiagnosed until an advanced stage. This cancer is seen more often in certain dog breeds, notably the Belgian Tervuren and Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael), as well as Chow Chows and Keeshonds, which indicates a genetic predisposition in these breeds. The Evans Lab is performing a genetic study to identify mutations that increase a dog’s risk of developing stomach cancer in their lifetime.
If you own a Belgian Tervurens, Sheepdog, Chow Chow, or Keeshond, you can help us!
More Information
Blood samples (2-3mL in EDTA tube) are currently needed from Belgian Tervurens and Sheepdogs, Chow Chows, and Keeshonds diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma, as well as dogs of these breeds 10 years or older with no personal history of cancer and no immediate relatives with gastric cancer. For additional information or to obtain shipping boxes, please contact The Evans Lab.
Compensation: The study pays the shipping costs for the sample to be mailed to the lab.
Owner Responsibility: Owners may ship a blood sample to the lab or a sample may be taken during a visit to CUHA. The owner shall read all provided consent and informational materials; if consent is given to take a blood sample for research, then the sample will be collected during the visit to CUHA or at the referring veterinarian. No other participation is required.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Protein-Losing Enteropathy in Dogs
Protein-losing enteropathy is a chronic intestinal disease that is associated with the loss of protein into the gut. It is a severe, life-threatening condition that affects many dog breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier, which has a 4-10-fold relative risk of disease. We are seeking to identify genetic regions and genes associated with PLE to enable prevention of this disease and facilitate the discovery of more specific and effective therapies. We have performed a pilot study and found a suggestive signal on chromosome 12, but we need to boost sample numbers in order to increase statistical power.
If you own a dog that has been diagnosed with PLE, you can help us!
More Information
We are looking for a blood sample (2-3 mL in EDTA tube).
PLE-affected dogs: any age, any breed, low albumin levels, and histopathological diagnosis by biopsy or necropsy. We understand that some dogs are too small or sick to undergo an intesinal biopsy. We will accept samples from dogs with low albumin and abdominal ultrasound findings such as hyperechoic linear striations in the intestines ± abdominal fluid where the workup has ruled out other causes of protein loss, such as liver disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure.
Control dogs: >10 yrs, no history of gastrointestinal issues, normal albumin levels.
We are also very interested in any dogs meeting these criteria that have submitted a sample to EMBARK - we can use the genotype data they provide and will not require a blood sample from these dogs. Just dog information (name, date of birth) and diagnostic information.
Owner Responsibility: Owners may ship a blood sample to the Biobank or a sample may be taken during a visit to CUHA. The owner shall read all provided consent and informational materials; if consent is given to take a blood sample for research, then the sample will be collected during the visit to CUHA or at the referring veterinarian. No other participation is required.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Feline Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease of cats, that is due to a loss or dysfunction of insulin secretion, or diminished insulin sensitivity, resulting in hyperglycemia. The disease requires careful management, including daily insulin injections.
Very little is known about the genetics underlying feline DM. Our study aims to identify the regions of the cat genome that are associated with this disease, with the goal of developing a genetic screening test. Those cats with an increased genetic predisposition for DM can then be offered prevention opportunities such as specific diets, exercise needs, and early screening. This will allow earlier diagnosis and permit intervention and monitoring before irreversible disease occurs. Further, for cat breeders, a genetic test can be used to reduce the frequency of the disease in the population.
If your cat has been diagnosed with feline diabetes mellitus, you can help us!
More Information
The Cornell Veterinary Biobank is looking for blood samples (2-3 mL in EDTA tube) along with diagnosis confirmation in the form of blood glucose, urine glucose, and fructosamine levels (if performed). Sex, breed, date of birth and body condition score (BCS) are also requested. For additional information or to obtain shipping boxes, please contact the Cornell Veterinary Biobank at 607-253-3060 or email us.
Compensation: The study pays for a shipping box for the sample to be mailed to the Biobank, or a single blood sample to be taken at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) for research purposes only.
Owner Responsibility: Owners may ship a blood sample to the Biobank or a sample may be taken during a visit to CUHA. The owner shall read all provided consent and informational materials; if consent is given to take a blood sample for research, then the sample will be collected during the visit to CUHA or at the referring veterinarian. No other participation is required.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease Study
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the femoral head, is an important condition caused by the disruption of blood flow to the ball of the femur – or femoral head. This is both a canine and human pediatric condition. This project is studying canine Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hoping to develop a genetic test that will reduce the incidence of these diseases in dogs.
If you own a dog that has been diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, you can help us with this study.
More Information
The Cornell Veterinary Biobank is recruiting blood samples from dogs diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the femoral head, for their genetics database.
By identifying the predisposition for this disease at an early stage, researchers will be able to lower its incidence and impact the health of future generations by stopping the propagation of genes that are diminishing the quality of life in dogs.
Owners of eligible patients please send 2-3 ml of EDTA blood (can be left over blood sent immediately from a completed CBC) along with the diagnosis confirmation from pelvic radiographs. Shipping boxes may be provided by the Biobank team. For additional information or to obtain shipping boxes please contact the Cornell Veterinary Biobank at 607-253-3060 or email us.
Compensation: The study pays for a shipping box for sample to be mailed to the Biobank, or a single blood sample to be taken at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) for research purposes only. Other tests or procedures required as part of patient care are not covered by the study and remain the responsibility of the owner.
Owner Responsibility: The owner may ship a blood sample to the Biobank or a sample may be taken during a visit to CUHA. If an CUHA visit, the owner shall read all provided consent and informational materials; if consent is given to take a blood sample for research and to access the dog’s medical records, the sample will be collected during the visit to CUHA or at the referring veterinarian. No other participation is required.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Targeted Therapies for Canine Hemangiosarcomas
Hemangiosarcomas (HSA) are a common type of cancer in dogs, resulting in about 2 million dog deaths per year in the U.S. This study aims to find and test new drugs that can prevent tumor growth.
If you own a dog who has been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and and is having surgery to remove the tumor in the Ithaca area, he/she is eligible for this study.
More Information
Hemangiosarcomas (HSA) are common and highly aggressive tumors in dogs, representing ~6% of all tumors seen in dogs. An estimated 2 million dogs succumb to this disease per year in the United States. Disease recurrence following removal of the primary tumor mass is common and new drugs are needed to prevent relapse. Therefore, the long-term goals of this project are to identify better procedures/drugs to treat canine hemangiosarcoma and to test the ability of newer targeted drugs in preventing tumor growth or recurrence.
Compensation: The study pays for a single blood sample to be taken for research purposes only. Other tests or procedures required as part of patient care are not covered by the study and remain the responsibility of the owner.
Owner Responsibility: Following surgical removal of tumor tissue, a small piece of the tumor is normally removed from the mass for clinical diagnostic testing by a pathologist. For our studies, we will use an additional piece of the tumor. Therefore, the only responsibility for the owner is that they consent to having this additional piece of tissue taken from the tumor mass for research purposes.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
<< Return to Biobank Homepage
