What are the potential benefits of this study?
How much does it cost to participate in the study?
How do I submit DNA from my dog?
How do I submit a health update for my dog?
Why do you need a blood sample from my dog?
Are there risks associated with collecting blood from my dog?
Is there an age requirement for sampling my dog?
Do the submitted dogs need to be related?
May I submit a sample from my mixed breed or purebred rescue dog?
My dog does not have any of these diseases, should I still request a kit/send samples?
Do I need to include a copy of my dog’s pedigree with the samples?
What if I don’t have a pedigree at the time I’m sending my samples in?
Will you send me individual results for my dog?
Should I submit samples even if my dog is spayed or neutered?
Who do I contact if I have a question?
How long will this research take?
Who is funding these projects?
How can I donate to the project?
Addison’s disease: Bearded Collie, Great Dane, Leonberger, Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle & West Highland White Terrier
Epilepsy disease: Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Sheepdog, Giant Schnauzer, English Mastiff, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle & Toy Poodle
SLO: Bearded Collie
What are the potential benefits of this study?
There is no guarantee that your dog will benefit from its participation in this study. However, such participation may provide veterinarians and researchers with additional information and a better understanding of canine diseases, which could ultimately influence the course of treatment or genetic testing to help your dog and other animals in the future.
How much does it cost to participate in the study?
There is no fee for participating in this study. However, to submit blood samples, there may be a fee charged by your veterinarian for the collection and shipping of the blood sample (some vets may waive the fee if the sample is for research purposes). If your dog’s sample is directly used in the development of a genetic test associated with this disorder, upon your written request after the test becomes commercially available, the results of the test for this dog will be provided to you at no cost.
How do I submit DNA from my dog?
For the blood sample, the veterinarian of your choice will collect the blood from your dog which you submit along with the downloadable form (Download Blood Submission Instructions and Questionnaire). Please note, CGAP is not responsible for costs incurred for blood collection and shipping. We require 2cc to 5cc (that is the same as 2ml to 5ml) of whole blood in purple-topped (EDTA) blood tubes. Some veterinarians may collect and ship samples at no charge for research purposes – please check with your veterinarian.
How do I submit a health update for my dog?
We ask that you update the health information of your dog annually even if it is just to let us know that your dog is still healthy.
Please email jmbelanger@ucdavis.edu
Why do you need a blood sample from my dog?
Newer research technologies require DNA extracted from blood samples. Thus, we are seeking blood samples from affected and unaffected dogs. Affected dogs with veterinary diagnosis can be submitted from dogs of any age. We also need samples from dogs over the age of 7 years (the older, the better) who are free from the disease under study.
Are there risks associated with collecting blood from my dog?
The risk involved in drawing blood is minimal. However, your dog may experience mild redness or bruising at the collection site. Additionally, the veterinarian you have chosen to do this procedure may clip the hair to facilitate visualization of the vein. The veterinarian who will be performing this procedure is the veterinarian of your choice, and the University of California Davis is not responsible for any complications associated with drawing the blood.
8. Is there an age requirement for sampling my dog?
For these initial studies, we prefer affected dogs of any age and unaffected older dogs (over 7 years old). If the health status of your dog changes after you have sent in the DNA sample, we ask that you please submit a health update annually even if your dog is still healthy. Please click here to submit a health update.
Do submitted dogs need to be related?
For the initial approach we are taking, blood samples from unrelated dogs affected and unaffected dogs are the best. We ask for the pedigrees so we can ensure dogs are not related to one another at the grandparent/great grandparent level. However, the next step of evaluating transmission of the trait through generations, requires related dogs.
May I submit a sample from my mixed breed or purebred rescue dog?
We are collecting samples only from purebred registered dogs of the breeds listed below. If your dog is a purebred rescue and you do not have any pedigree information on the dog, we appreciate your interest, but for this study, we need samples from dogs with known parentage.
Addison’s disease: Bearded Collie, Great Dane, Leonberger, Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle and West Highland Terrier
Epilepsy disease: Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Giant Schnauzer, Mastiff, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, and Toy Poodle
SLO: Bearded Collie
My dog has one of the diseases you are studying, but is not a breed listed, may I still request a kit?
We are collecting samples only from the breeds indicated at this time to increase our likelihood of success.
These breeds include:
Addison’s disease: Bearded Collie, Great Dane, Leonberger, Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle and West Highland Terrier
Epilepsy disease: Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Giant Schnauzer, Mastiff, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, and Toy Poodle
SLO: Bearded Collie
My dog does not have any of these diseases or disorders, should I still request a kit/send samples?
Yes! We need samples from both affected AND unaffected dogs. We are asking for affected dogs with veterinary diagnosis of any age. We also need samples from dogs over the age of 7 years (the older, the better) who are free from the disease under study.
Do I need to include a copy of my dog’s pedigree with the samples?
Yes. A pedigree is very helpful in the collection of information for the database. Please include a pedigree with the completed health questionnaire or send a copy of the pedigree directly to: CGAP, Department of Animal Science, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8521
What if I don’t have a pedigree at the time I’m sending my samples in?
Please include as much information as you have on your dog’s relatives. The sire and dam names are required on the information sheet.
You may send a copy of the pedigree at a later time – include your contact information on the pedigree. Send to: CGAP, Department of Animal Science, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8521
Will you send me individual results for my dog?
Individual results will not be available. A summary report on the research findings will be available at the conclusion of the study. If a diagnostic test is developed and you have submitted a DNA sample and your dog was directly used in the development of the test, we will send you the results of that dog at no charge upon your written request following announcement of the test.
Should I submit samples even if my dog is spayed or neutered?
Yes.
Who do I contact if I have a question?
Professor & Associate Dean for Agricultural Sciences
Staff Research Associate
How long will this research take?
The study is ongoing and will take time until the mutations are identified.
Who is funding these projects?
Projects have been funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation, BeaCon for Health, Poodle Club of America, Seizures Disorder Committee of the Mastiff Club of America, various breed clubs and foundations, as well as private donations.
30.How can I donate to the project?
We appreciate your generosity. You can make donations through the Animal Science Department. Please click here for instructions on how to donate. Thank You!