The Parent Club of the American Kennel Club. Est. 1923

Home
Up

Chihuahua DNA submissions needed!
CCA Donated $2,500.00 to this study.

Allergic reactions continue to be the most common adverse event associated with vaccination in dogs. Recent research has demonstrated that small dogs in general, and several specific breeds, are at higher risk for these reactions. Laboratory studies have shown that normal dogs make antibodies against many vaccine components, even though they may not show an allergic reaction immediately following vaccination. Although the specific cause of allergic reactions in dogs remains unknown, vaccine components residual from the manufacturing process have been incriminated. These specific components need to be identified, so that manufacturers can make safer vaccines for dogs.

Researchers including Dr. George Moore at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine – with funding provided by the AKC Canine Health Foundation – are looking to identify causes of vaccine-induced allergic reactions. Using serum from dogs of high-risk breeds, this study will compare antibody concentrations in dogs demonstrating allergic reactions versus antibody concentrations in dogs of the same breed that don’t have reactions. To complete this study, samples are urgently needed from 5 high-risk breeds including the Dachshund, Pug dog, Chihuahua, Boston Terrier, and Miniature Pinscher.

Your dog may participate in this study if they are a member of this group, and have been vaccinated in the past three weeks. Two (2) ml of serum are needed per dog for the analyses, necessitating withdrawal of approximately 4-5 ml of blood. Samples may be taken from affected dogs as soon as clinical signs of an allergic reaction develop, or within 3 weeks thereafter. Samples may be taken from non-affected dogs as soon as the day following vaccination, or within 3 weeks thereafter.

For samples from dogs that meet the eligibility criteria, veterinarians can email the investigators their mailing address at: k9vaxrxn@purdue.edu. Postage-paid mailers will be sent to the veterinarian for return of the serum sample to the laboratory at Purdue.