Dear Irish Wolfhound owner and lover

My name is Taimur Alavi and I’m a UK-based vet that’s running a study investigating the link between gastric dilatation and volvulus (a condition you’re no doubt very much aware of) and the surgical procedure ‘splenectomy’ (removal of the spleen).

Currently veterinary literature is confusing as to whether or not your dog having a splenectomy increases the risk of them subsequently having a GDV. This is important as vets don’t know whether or not the additional risks involved in performing a surgery to prevent a GDV (‘gastropexy’) are worth taking at the same time as they perform a splenectomy.

We are hoping to investigate this issue and, through this, be able to issue some guidelines based on hard facts that will help prevent GDV’s occurring. 

At the end of this email is a link to a (very) short survey that, with enough responses, would allow us to investigate this association. I would be massively appreciative if you would be willing to take the survey and spread it amongst other breeders, owners and Irish Wolfhound societies, perhaps even via a link on your website. We will be closing the study towards the end of January, please let us know your experience before then!
https://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/awb/splenectomy_gdv_association/
You can check my registration and professional qualifications on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website, here's a direct
link http://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/check-the-registers/?filter-keyword=Taimur+Alavi&filter.x=32&filter.y=23&filter-type=vs
and the study is being run under the supervision of Ms Kelly Bowlt at the Animal Health Trust http://www.ahtreferrals.co.uk/Surgery.html

         kelly.bowlt@aht.org.uk

Please let me know your thoughts and any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Taimur Alavi

January 2008

www.antagene.com

The main objectives are :

1. clear the transmission mode of pathology by analyzing pedigrees,
2. collect DNA samples of dogs (affected and not) in order to research the gene(s) and mutation(s) responsible for DCM,
3. develop a genetic test for diagnosis if possible. This test would be useful for the breeders to detect DCM earlier and help them in their selection policy.

To carry out this research, all information on the genealogy and the clinical status of the dogs would be useful (copy of cardiac examination and pedigree). Blood samples will be necessary on both affected and healthy dogs.

In 2006, ANTAGENE and its collaborators began to develop a research program on DCM of Irish Wolfhound. Since 2008, this program has been included in a wide European project (LUPA). Thanks to this project, Dog profit of high technological platform and resources to discover genetic causes of many inherited disorders. LUPA gathers efforts of European researchers (22 teams in 11 countries) and gives a real opportunity to progress in the understanding of the genetic cause of the disease.

Please read the detailed information about the project:

Animal Health Trust study on osteosarcoma in the Irish Wolfhound

Cheek Swab Kit Request Form.pdf

Sample Submission and Owner Consent Form.pdf

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer of dogs and the most common cause of death in Irish Wolfhounds. A study at the Animal Health Trust aims to identify the genetic defects that increase the risk of Irish Wolfhounds developing osteosarcoma.  If successful, this would help breeders to reduce the number of dogs developing these tumours and may lead to new treatments for affected dogs. You can help the study by submitting a sample from your dog. If you would like to help, please read the detailed information about the study.

Dog genome project

consentOSAwolfhound .doc

ConsentOSAwolfhound.pdf

For more details please read attached information and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Henrik von Euler (henrik.von.euler@kv.slu.se) at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences or Anna Blom (Anna.blom@med.lu.se) at Lund University, Sweden.

Here is a chance for all of us to contribute to improvement of health of our wonderful hounds through aiding research regarding bone cancer. A large, international project including experienced scientists from among others USA and Sweden has been launched. The project already has sufficient funding and equipment and the only element missing for success is enough samples from our hounds. We are indeed lucky that one of the best research teams in genetics wants to devote time and huge resources to our hounds!

What is needed are blood samples from sick hounds affected with bone cancer as well as healthy, old hounds whose DNA will be used for comparison. It is very easy to take a small blood sample and all information regarding your hound and the results will be treated strictly confidential.

Dr Regine Vandamme (B)
Veterinary