Borzoi Club of America, Inc.
Links of Interest
2009 Health Committee Report
Download the 2009 annual report to the membership.
PURINA PARENT CLUB PROGRAM
BCOA is a participant in the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program. BCOA members who are also members of the Purina Pro Club may earn funding for canine health studies, education and/or rescue efforts that will benefit Borzoi.
Learn more HERE.
PET FOOD RECALL
Find the latest information on recalled pets foods here.
CHF Annual Health Award
The AKC Canine Health Foundation has designated
an annual health award in the name of Dr. Asa Mays.
Read the press
release regarding its inaugural recipient
Welcome
The purpose of BCOA Health Committee's website is to provide a library of health information resources to our membership. We hope you will find this website both helpful and educational.
The purpose of the BCOA Health Committee is to provide health-related information to our membership and encourage the pursuit of breeding healthier Borzoi.
Canine Health Foundation News Alert
Dr. Mark Oyama Receives the Asa Mays, DVM, Excellence in Canine Health Research Award
-University of Pennsylvania Researcher Instrumental in the Fight Against Canine Heart Disease- [Wednesday, December 30, 2009]
Mark Oyama, DVM, has been awarded the Canine Health Foundation's Asa Mays, DVM, Excellence in Canine Health Research Award. The award, begun in 2005 to honor longtime breeder and veterinarian Dr. Asa Mays, recognizes those researchers who have made a profound impact in the world of canine health research.
Dr. Mark Oyama received his DVM from the University of Illinois in 1994, completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and a residency in cardiology at UC-Davis from 1995-1997. He was boarded in cardiology in 1998, and spent two years in private practice in Portland, Oregon before returning to the University of Illinois as a faculty member in 1999. In 2005, Dr. Oyama accepted a faculty position at the University of Pennsylvania where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Studies and the President of the Specialty of Cardiology of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Oyama's major research interests continue to focus on animal models of human disease and translational research, in particular, he is involved in research concerning dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral valve disease, and cardiac biomarkers.
"Dr. Oyama's dedication to the field of cardiology research and his efforts to encourage newly graduated veterinarians to pursue a career in research make him stand out among his peers. His interest in both clinical and laboratory research is allowing pet owners to have immediate treatment options for those animals who need it today, as well as providing researchers with information to help them prevent disease in the future," notes Dr. Terry Warren, CEO and General Counsel for the Canine Health Foundation. "Our thanks to Dr. Oyama for his dedicated work, he is a true member of the Canine Health Foundation team."
Upon accepting the award, Dr. Oyama noted, "I am deeply honored to be selected as the 2009 recipient of the Asa Mays Award. In accepting this award, I do so on behalf of my fantastic team of veterinarianrians and colleagues at the Penn Cardiology Service, as well as the countless number of pet owners and breeders that have participated in so many clinical trials over the years. I was not fortunate enough to personally know Dr. Mays, but his pioneering commitment to canine health is reflected in the mission and efforts of today's Canine Health Foundation."
The award was presented on October 24, 2009, in conjunction with the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference held in St Louis, MO. Sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, the event was attended by more than 250 participants who received updated information on topics such as canine cardiology, nutrition, neurological disease, and cancer research.
Consider a donation in support of canine cardiology research.
Contact:
Erika Werne
Director of Education & Communications
Canine Health Foundation
919-334-4010
888-682-9696
www.caninehealthfoundation.org
The Canine Health Foundation, founded in 1995, is the largest nonprofit worldwide to fund health research exclusively for canines. Our goal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. The Canine Health Foundation is the leader in non-invasive genetic health research, stem cell research, and biotherapeutics benefiting both canines and humans. Through the generous financial support of Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. and the American Kennel Club , we’re proud to announce we have allocated nearly $24 million to canine health research at veterinary schools and research institutions worldwide.
BORZOI BREED HEALTH SURVEY
There is a borzoi breed health survey available on line courtesy of
the OFA and completely confidential. I encourage all borzoi owners to
take the survey on as many of their dogs as possible. The survey is
broken down into categories and if your dog has an ailment in any of
the categories, a drop down menu containing a comprehensive listing
of diseases within the category can then be completed. If you make a
mistake, you can make corrections prior to submitting the survey. The
response is real time, so you can immediately pull up the results
list and your responses will be included in the total counts. Since I
am currently in the process of submitting the top 5 areas of health
related research interest for our breed to the Canine Health
Foundation, the survey will provide background statistics for the
request. Please take a few moments of your time - it only takes a
minute per dog, no stamps necessary, submission is free and
confidential. How much more convenient can anything be?! The survey
is open to all borzoi owners including our friends over seas! Thanks
much for your participation and your time!! The survey can be reached
directly at:
http://www.offa.org/surveys/survey_borzoi.html
Regards,
Ginger Jones
BCOA Health Chairman
AKC CHF Call for Participation
Research Area: Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease
Breeds: All
Date Request Posted: May 8, 2008
Chronic degenerative valve disease is the most common heart disease that affects dogs. To date, the cause of this disease has remained elusive. It is known that the collagen that provides much of the support in the valve is damaged in diseased valves. One popular theory is the existence of an imbalance between the proteins that break down collagen and those that prevent collagen breakdown. The proposed study will determine the difference in the balance between these proteins in normal cultured valve cells and valve cells cultured from diseased leaflets. Differences that exist between normal and diseased valve cells will help target future research projects and aid in determining the cause of this prevalent disease process.
We are requesting mitral valve tissue from dogs that have died or have been euthanized that have significant degenerative mitral valve disease. This valve tissue will be used to culture cells from the tissue in order for us to study this disease from a cell culture perspective. For inclusion in the study, dogs need to have a diagnosis of degenerative mitral valve disease from their veterinarian (if echocardiography findings are available, those should be provided as well) and the owner needs to be willing to let their referring veterinarian remove the mitral valve from the dog after it dies or is euthanized. The tissue should be removed within 2 hours of death or euthanasia.
At this point we are not studying a specific breed so any dog diagnosed with mitral valve disease is qualified to enter the study.
We are requesting the anterior mitral valve leaflet (the larger leaflet most associated with the septum and aorta) but if there is any confusion the entire mitral valve can be shipped and we can collect the anterior mitral valve leaflet once it arrives here. The sample should be shipped in phosphate buffered saline. If needed, we can ship tubes of phosphate buffered saline for sample collection. The sample should be shipped on ice overnight to the address below. Please contact Dr. Heaney if you need additional information.
Allison M. Heaney, DVM
Marsha Robertson, Research Technician
Washington State University
100 Dairy Road
Pullman, WA 99164 - 1120
Tel: 509-335-0711
Fax: 509-335-0880
Research Area: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Breeds: Any breed, but particularly Golden Retriever, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan terriers, Lhasa Apsos
Researchers at the Animal Health Trust require DNA samples from affected dogs and their close relatives (siblings, parents and grandparents, affected or unaffected). The DNA can be submitted as a 5ml EDTA blood sample or as a cheek swab and be accompanied by a 5-generation pedigree and any relevant health certificates / veterinary diagnoses.
For additional information contact:
Cathryn Mellersh PhD
Animal Health Trust
Lanwades Park
Kentford
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 7UU
U.K.
Tel: +44 (0)1638 750659
Fax: +44 (0)1638 750794
Email: cathryn.mellersh@aht.org.uk
AKC Canine Health Foundation Media Alert
Genome Barks Podcasts
To hear the latest "GENOME BARKS" podcasts discussing the most recent discoveries in canine diseases and research involving them, visit the following links:
Click here to listen to the podcasts.
Click here for more information.
Contact:
Erica Kitchen
Acting Director of Development
AKC Canine Health Foundation
919-334-4010
888-682-9696
www.akcchf.org
Fundraiser for BCOA's Donor-Advised Fund
A limited edition, signed and
numbered series of superb Borzoi Lithographs by the late noted
architect, artist, and Borzoi enthusiast, Curt Johnson, are now
available for purchase. Each of the series of nine are stunning in
detail and 20% of each sale will be donated to either The National
Borzoi Rescue Foundation and/or The AKC Canine Health Foundation's BCOA
Donor Advised Fund, which you will indicate at time of purchase. These lithographs make wonderful gifts, and,
at the same time, support two important causes. View the lithographs HERE.
We are honored and most grateful to Mr. Johnson for having chosen NBRF and
the Health Foundation to share in the sale of these beautiful Lithographs
made by his late Father. Please visit the web site and enjoy!
