ATCA Diabetes Mellitus Serum Study Update
Do you have a diabetic Aussie? Or, an Aussie that is 7 years of age or older AND diabetes-free? If so, we need your help to determine the genetic markers for diabetes mellitus in the Australian Terrier. This ground-breaking research can help us to not only breed healthier dogs, but also to identify dogs at early age to make sure they will receive proper preventative care. Please contact Dr Rebecka Hess (address below) to participate. This will involve filling out a health questionnaire about your dog as well as collecting a blood sample. Dr Hess's grant will reimburse your vet for the collection costs and pay for shipping your dog's sample.

Please see the following communication from Dr Hess:


Dear Australian Terrier Owner,

I am pleased to report that we have received funding from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation to begin our study of diabetes mellitus in Australian Terriers. The purpose of the study is to search for genes associated with increased risk for diabetes in Australian Terriers. Early genetic identification of carriers and dogs that are likely to develop diabetes will enable breeders to determine which dogs are not fit for breeding with one another, years before clinical signs of diabetes develop. The ability to predict the disease in young, unaffected, breeding dogs may help prevent diabetes mellitus in the Australian Terrier breed at large. It may also protect potential owners of diabetic dogs from long term care for an animal with an incurable disease.

The study requires drawing 15 ml of blood (3 tablespoons) from your dog. This can usually be arranged with your local veterinarian. Please contact me with your name, phone number, and e-mail address and provide me with the name of your veterinarian and with their phone number. I will contact you and your veterinarian and arrange for Fed-Ex pickup of the blood sample at a time convenient for you and your local veterinarian. This will involve no expense for you. Blood samples are being collected from any Australian Terrier diabetic dog and also from any Australian Terrier dog that is 7 years of age or older that does not have diabetes.

Thank you so much for your assistance and support. This project would not be possible without the help and devotion of Australian Terrier dog owners.

Sincerely,

Rebecka S. Hess, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
3900 Delancey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010
Voice mail: (215) 898-9427 Fax:(215) 573-6050

e-mail: rhess@vet.upenn.edu

 

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