Home
AKC Page
Agility
Articles
Auctions
Banquet
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Breed Standard
Breeder Directory
CCA Statements
CGC
Chihuahua FAQ
Code of Ethics
Committees
Companion Events
Constitution
Directory
Dues
Events
2009 Handbook
Handbook
Health Fund
Health Testing
Health Related Issues
Hotel Guidelines
Illustrated Standard
Juniors
Junior Spotlight
Link To Us
Make A Donation
Membership Information
Membership List
Member Clubs
Merle Guidelines
Mission Statment
Molera Statement
Newsletter
Obedience
Public Education
Rally
Reprint Permission
Rescue Committee
Seminars
Teacup Statement
Tracking
Ways And Means
Webmaster


 

 

 
Leishmania is transmitted by the Sandfly.
You are invited to participate this study.
Leishmania Study
 
To Request A Sandfly Kit Contact
Susana Mendez
 
The CCA Board has approved a $2,5000 donation to the:
Active Research Grant 882-A
CHRI Donors 2008
 
 

Chihuahua Health Related Issues
A committee of the Chihuahua Club of America.

Justin Ward -Chair
Kim Gramlisch - Co-Chair
Sallie Buckman
Sherri Chavez
Stacy Amirov
Gail Hendry
Myrle Hale
Gary Thompson

 

CHIHUAHUA HEALTH RELATED ISSUES COMMITTEE

 

Committee Description

 Chihuahua Club Of America members, breeders, owners, and exhibitors that work together to further the Mission statement and that also attend the National Specialty in Chicago each year to participate in workshops and clinics.  

   Mission

 The mission of the Chihuahua Health Related Issues Committee is to help Chihuahuas live longer and healthier lives by identifying health issues, recommending participation in research studies, and promoting education to improve the health of our dogs.

 Goals

 A.  Identify health issues particular to Chihuahuas by working with Chihuahua owners and breeders.

 B.  Research and identify grants particular to Chihuahuas through the AKC/Canine Health Foundation, and other researchers meeting our criteria, which:  1.  Meet the highest scientific and educational standards.  2.  Have the greatest potential for advancing the health of the Chihuahua.  3.  Have expectations for producing materials and applications that are reasonable and affordable for breeders and owners.

C.  Educate the fancy on health concerns particular to Chihuahuas through written materials and health clinics.

 D.  To provide updates on results of such research available to CCA and other Chihuahua Fanciers 

E.  Provide education on genetics and foster a greater understanding of the role genetics plays in some disease processes. 

F.  To facilitate CCA cooperation with the projects and programs of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

 G.  To raise funds adequate to advance CHRI Committee projects.

 H.  Encourage breeders to test their breeding stock for potential health issues prior to breeding.

Canine Health Foundation

Baylor College of Medicine (University)
 
Active Grant No: 882-A:
Genetics of Cryptorchidism in Dogs
Disease(s):
Reproduction
Sponsor(s):
American Shetland Sheepdog Association, Siberian Husky Health Foundation
Researcher(s):
Alexander I. Agoulnik, PhD
Breed(s):
All (non-specified)
Abstract:
Cryptorchidism, or retained testicles, is the most common birth defect in purebred dogs. An estimated frequency of this abnormality in several breeds is as high as 4-15 percent. Two major health consequences of cryptorchidism are infertility at adulthood and significantly increased risk of testicular malignancies. According to the AKC standards the cryptorchid animals are disqualified, they are not recommended for breeding and the retained testicles in affected dogs should be removed to avoid cancer development. Currently, there is no genetic diagnostic test to predict the risk of this disease in a dog or the progeny. The mutations causing retained testicles might spread within a population and eventually affect the overall reproductive health of the specific breed. As a result, the financial impact for breeders is significant. The main objective of this study is to develop the DNA tests that may predict the risk of a dog or its offspring to develop cryptorchidism. We have collected dozens of DNA samples from affected animals and normal controls from White German Shepherds, German Shepherds and other breeds. Each sample will be analyzed for 30,000 genetic markers using state-of-art DNA microarray technology in collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT/Harvard. The data will be statistically analyzed and the association of specific DNA markers with the disease will be established. At the end of the study we will identify the part of the dog genome containing the gene responsible for abnormal testis position. The information generated by this study can be used to identify animals with the mutant gene and thus will provide breeders with informative breeding recommendations.