The Australian Terrier Club of America has been invited to participate
in two very important research projects for Diabetes Mellitus. The first
is to try and identify potential affected dogs and carriers of the disease
through a blood test and the second is to determine if a specific protein
linked with Diabetes Mellitus exists in Australian Terriers. This protein
may serve as a predictor of Diabetes which may, in turn, allow the development
of a proactive treatment that could prevent the disease from occurring
in the future. The first project will start once funding is approved.(
We anticipate approval within the next several months). The goal is to
identify a genetic marker so that dogs can be tested for DM BEFORE they
are bred. Unfortunately, Diabetes Mellitus in Australian Terriers is a
late onset disease that does not usually appear until many years after
a dog has been bred. This increases the risk of the offspring also becoming
affected. This first study will require blood samples from your dogs and
the completion of a questionnaire. Samples from both diabetics and non-diabetics
(seven years or older) will be needed. There should be no expense to the
owner to participate.
The second project will require serum (extracted from blood) samples from non-diabetic AND diabetic Aussies and is ready to begin. We especially need samples from Australian Terriers that already have the disease. This research has heretofore been conducted in mice and the results have produced a compound that acts like a vaccine against the disease. The compound targets a specific protein that exists in the blood of diabetics, thus preventing the diabetes. Ours is a pilot study that will hopefully reveal if this particular protein might be found in the Australian Terrier. If so, then the project would include the Australian Terrier in future research. At this time, the owner must pay all expenses associated with the pilot study. Expenses should be limited to veterinary fees for taking the blood serum sample and mailing it to the research center. If it is determined that the Australian Terrier meets the criteria, funding for future research will be applied for by the researcher and no further expenses should be incurred by the owner of the dog.
Please click here for an update on current diabetes research and how you can help
At this time we need to know how many of you are willing to help the breed by participating. Please email ATCA at dmresearch@australianterrier.org with your name, address, email address or telephone number, and the following information about your dogs: current age, sex, and age at which they were diagnosed with diabetes if they do have the disease. After we receive your response, we will contact you to provide you with the protocol required for sample collection and mailing.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. But, we cannot proceed without your help. We need participants in order for the research to start. This will be no different than your veterinarian taking a blood sample to diagnose any other health problem. However, this blood sample may make a huge difference in the quality of life for many Australian Terriers and their owners in the years to come. We ask that you please contact us today.
