Cancer is a big word when it comes to your dog’s health, and one that dog owners dread to hear from their vets. To reduce the number of cases and to create a healthier, happier future for our loyal friends, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation (CHF) has granted more than $900,000 to 12 research projects. The studies will focus on the prevention, identification, and prediction of common dog cancers.
The grants came just in time for May’s Pet Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness around the ongoing concern of cancer from dog owners and veterinarians. It also brings the total amount that the CHF has invested in canine cancer research to more than $14 million.
Previous studies that have benefited from CHF funding have led to significant breakthroughs, helping veterinarians to better diagnose and treat their furry patients. Many of the studies have also had a positive impact on the study of cancers in humans.
Some of the projects supported through this grant include:
- Developing novel treatment strategies by “Reprogramming the Tumor Immune Niche In Canine Hemangiosarcoma.” In this study, researchers will explore immune cells and how they may promote tumor growth and inflammation.
- Learning how to detect lymphoma, the most common form of dog cancer, at an early stage to increase the survival rate. This project, “Identifying Early-Stage Ultra-Rare Mutations As Predictive Biomarkers Of Lymphoma In High-Risk Versus Low-Risk Breeds Within The Dog Aging Project,” will use novel sequencing technology to test the variation in the frequency and type of rare precancerous mutation and see if it is an indicator of lymphoma.
- Research on “Bladder Carcinogen Exposures In Pet Dogs” can help dog owners actively reduce exposure and, therefore, reduce their dog’s risk of developing this aggressive cancer that affects roughly 20,000 dogs each year, often resulting in euthanasia.
- Addressing bone cancer by “Defining The Functional Consequences And Therapeutic Vulnerability Of Dystrophin Alterations In Canine Osteosarcoma.” Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor in dogs, generally in large or giant breeds.
Increased knowledge for the common types of cancers that have taken too many of our beloved pets can help us better understand how to treat, identify, and prevent these cancers and other illnesses.
If you are interested in supporting canine cancer research, you can donate to CHF. Your donation will assist them in their mission to obtain better treatment, more accurate diagnoses, and an improved understanding of the causes of cancers and other canine diseases.
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