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!
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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 Cornell Veterinary Biobank at 607-253-3060 or email us at caninegenetics.evanslab@gmail.com.
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!
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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 Cornell Veterinary Biobank at 607-253-3060 or email us caninegenetics.evanslab@gmail.com.
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.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. The condition causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body. The cause of HCM has not been clearly identified, but the fact that the condition is more prevalent in certain breeds (including Maine Coon, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Sphynx, Chartreux and Persian cats) and that mutations of several cardiac (heart) genes have been identified in some cats with this disease suggests that genetics plays a role. Cornell University is conducting a feline research study on the genetic predisposition to HCM in breeds at high risk for this disease. In particular, we are looking for blood samples from sphynx cats in order to boost our sample size in this breed.
If you own a sphynx cat, you can help us!
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The Cornell Veterinary Biobank is looking for blood samples (approximately 1-2mL EDTA) drawn by your local veterinarian for DNA. Sex, breed, date of birth information, and relevant veterinary records for HCM phenotype (if diagnosed) are also needed. For additional information or to provide a sample, please contact the Cornell Veterinary Biobank at 607-253-3060 or email us.
We are interested in all sphynx cats, regardless of HCM diagnosis, that is, cats that a) have been diagnosed with HCM, b) have had an HCM diagnosis ruled out by a cardiologist (but are over 10 years of age), and c) cats that are unknown with regards to HCM phenotype
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.
Canine Ocular Surface Dermoid
Ocular surface dermoid is a congenital malformation that occurs in dogs, where normal tissue (e.g. skin) develops in an abnormal location (e.g. cornea). In most cases, ocular surface dermoids have hair on its surface which can grow and cause irritation of the eye, including tearing, keratitis and conjunctivitis. Ocular surface dermoids can occur spontaneously in any breed, however some breeds such as French bulldogs appear to have a higher prevalence than other breeds. We have performed a preliminary study and found that chromosomes 5, 14 and 24 may be associated with this mutation, however we need a larger number of affected cases in order to confirm our preliminary findings.
If you own a dog that has been diagnosed with an ocular surface dermoid, you can help us!
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The Cornell Veterinary Biobank is looking for blood samples (2-3 mL in EDTA tube) along with diagnosis confirmation by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Sex, breed and date of birth information is 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.
Protein-Losing Enteropathy in Yorkshire Terriers
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 in Yorkshire Terriers 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 Yorkshire Terrier, you can help us!
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We are looking for a blood sample (2-3 mL in EDTA tube) from Yorkshire Terriers (YT).
PLE-affected dogs: any age, low albumin levels, and histopathological diagnosis by biopsy or necropsy. We understand that some YT are too small or sick to undergo an intesinal biopsy. We will accept samples from YT 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 diesease, 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.
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.
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!
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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 e-mail 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.
Canine Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: A Translational Research Approach
The Cornell Veterinary Biobank is dedicated to promoting research to improve detection and treatment of dogs with lymphoma, improving life expectancy and quality for our companions. As part of this project, the Biobank is also committed to creating innovations for precision medicine and exploring how advances in our understanding of canine diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) can improve the lives of Lymphoma patients.
If you own a dog that has been diagnosed with lymphoma but has not yet begun treatment, you can help us with this study.
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Progress has been slow to improve therapies and outcomes for dogs diagnosed with a very common tumor – lymphoma. To accelerate our understanding of this cancer and identify novel treatments to improve survival, we are collecting blood samples from dogs diagnosed with lymphoma that have not yet begun chemotherapy for their cancer. The Cornell Veterinary Biobank has a collective vision to centralize high quality samples to be applied in clinical cancer research. Your animal’s biobanked samples will be used to identify ways to improve disease detection, prognosis, and treatment options for dogs with lymphoma.
Not only is participation vital for the advancement of veterinary medicine, but your dogs’ samples have the potential to aid in translational cancer projects. The canine lymphoma model is viewed as a possible bridge in the gap surrounding targeted human cancer therapy. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in humans shares many of the same characteristics of DLBCL in dogs. Utilizing comparative oncology to advance work in biomarkers, expansion of genomic data, and immunotherapy gives a unique hope for the future of precision medicine, particularly for lymphoma patients.
You can help us!
Canine patients are eligible for enrollment if they have been diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and have not yet received chemotherapy from their veterinarian. Dogs that have received prednisone or doxycycline would still qualify for a sample donation.
Contact us for more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Owners Responsibility:
We ask you to please read the provided informed consent form 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. No other participation is required.
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.
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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 e-mail 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.
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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.
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