4th Quarter 2022
NewfCare:
RESEARCH & RESCUE
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Rip's Second Chance
On one of the first really hot days in May, left tied to a park fence, was a sick and weak Newfoundland. Fortunately for this boy, he did not go unnoticed. The local animal control agency picked him up and posted him on their social media to try to find the human that “forgot about their dog they left tied to a fence”. The animal control officer contacted us for assistance, should the owner not be found. After 4 grueling days of the mandatory hold this boy came into the arms of the NCA Rescue – no name, sick, and defeated.
As per our usual process, Rip was immediately scheduled for veterinary exams. The care he would need would quickly escalate for widespread skin infection, dental issues so severe his age could not be estimated, several tumors covering his thin frame, and to put an exclamation point on his health issues he was found to be heartworm positive. In his deepest moment of need, the people Rip trusted with his life chose to tie him to a park fence and walk away… without even granting him the ability to seek shelter, water, or food on his own.
Once again, our trusted veterinary team at SugarCreek Veterinary Clinic devised a plan to treat Rip. Being HW+ very much complicated the ability to remove and biopsy tumors. Through consultations with a cardiologist, Dr. Aaron was able to identify a sedation medication that would safely allow for Rip to be anesthetized for surgery. A tumor the size of a baseball was removed from Rip’s shoulder, along with several smaller tumors. We waited, holding our breath for the biopsy results. After 7 long days, we received the call that allowed us all to exhale. Benign results meant we could look ahead to the next mountain.
The treatment for a staph infection on his skin and surgery would be the easy part of Rip’s journey as he still stood at the base of the mountain that is heartworm treatment. This would be a long and dangerous journey. Heartworm treatment is a very difficult and delicate process that has many short-term and potentially long-term, deadly or life altering side effects. Rip’s foster caregiver would have to remain extremely vigilant throughout his care to ensure he was following strict doctor’s orders. A heartworm could have easily broken loose and killed him. The first round of treatment came and went, then the second round of treatment.
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Charitable Trust Research Updates |
Be a Citizen Scientist!
Why complete the OFA Newfoundland Health Survey?
The Charitable Trust Management Board and the Research Advisory Committee use the Results from the OFA Health survey to direct our research dollars to the health areas that affect Newfoundland Dogs. Over 1200 Newfoundlands have already been entered into the survey. The top 5 disease categories in the 2022 Health Survey currently are orthopedic issues (top 3: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Cranial cruciate ligament rupture), Allergies (atopy, inhalent, food), Skin disease
( pyoderma, hot spots, allergies), Eye diseases ( entropion, cherry eye, cataracts, dry eye), and Cancer (Osteosarcoma, lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma).
We use the information you provide on your dog to direct Trust funds to fund research studies affecting Newfoundlands. Please fill out the health survey today!
Clyde Dunphy, DVM, NCA Charitable Trust Chairman
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Enroll your Newfoundland in the Dog Aging Project. If we build a significant cohort of Newfoundlands in the study, the researchers will be able to share breed specific data with us!
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The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) would like to welcome two new members: Bill Cuddy and Sharon Oviatt.
Sharon Oviatt holds a Ph.D in Experimental Psychology and is a Professor, Human-centered A.I., Faculty of Engineering at Monash University. Her expertise is in human centered artificial intelligence and interfaces as well as multimodal-multisensor and mobile interfaces.
Prior to retirement, Bill Cuddy was a nuclear materials engineer with experience in the development and execution of research studies. Additionally, the experience and knowledge Mary Lou & Bill gained over the past 40 years as Newfoundland owners & breeders, provides a valuable perspective when it comes to weighing the merits & priorities of research efforts.
Most committee work is done via email with an occasional teleconference. The committee recently reviewed and recommended for approval the extension into Newfoundlands of the genetic marker study at University of Wisconson-Madison for cruciate rupture. We’re hoping that the genetic risk test Dr. Peter Muir’s group developed for Labrador Retrievers will also prove valid for Newfoundlands since Labs and Newfs are closely related. The committee will also be reviewing Morris Animal Foundations grants in December. There is no set number of RAC members and appointments are made by the Charitable Trust Management Board. If you have veterinary or research experience you’d like to contribute, contact Lori Littleford, Chair.
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Risk Factor Testing
Researchers Peter Muir and Susannah Sample at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine have identified multiple gene variations throughout the Labrador Retriever genome* that contribute to cruciate ligament rupture susceptibility in the Labrador Retriever. After testing over a 1000 Labradors, they determined that the risk of cruciate rupture in Labs is ~62% genetic (inherited) and ~38% due to environmental factors. This new test measures the genetic risk component only and classifies each dog as a likely affected or likely unaffected with 98% accuracy. Pinpointing whether a dog has a genetic risk of tearing his cruciate, may motivate the dog’s owner and veterinarian to take more diligent preventative measures such as keeping the dog lean and physically fit and watching for signs of emerging injury.
It's important to note that the test is 98% accurate in Labradors ONLY - it's much lower in Rotties, at about 65%. Because Newfoundlands and Labs are so closely related, we're hopeful that the same set of markers will have a high accuracy for Newfs but the current accuracy in Newfoundlands is not yet known. Dr. Muir’s group has recently opened the study to Newfoundlands and is in the process of submitting a grant to The Newfoundland Charitable Trust to fund a pilot study. If we get lucky, this pilot study of 30 cases (any age with cruciate rupture) and 30 controls (over 5 years of age with normal stifle xrays) MAY allow use of the same markers/algorithms in Newfoundlands.
Once we know the accuracy in Newfoundlands, this testing can be done on very young animals possibly affecting placement/future breeding decisions Unlike the currently available tests for cystinuria and coat color, which typically test a single gene and give definitive results, this genetic risk algorithms addresses only the portion of cruciate rupture that is genetic. But in Labradors, that’s nearly two thirds of the puzzle. Ideally all Newfs would receive good nutrition and be kept in optimal weight and body condition. These factor become even MORE important if the Newf has a higher genetic risk. Some dogs just can't afford to be overweight or weekend warriors!
I don't want people to think that this test is ready for prime time in Newfs or that getting a "likely case" result means it absolutely is going to rupture. It's not and it doesn't. The test just informs on underlying risk and should eventually help us breed away from the problem once the test is validated in Newfoundlands. In the meantime, keeping our Newfs trim, well nourished and well exercised is doing what we can right now to minimize cruciate rupture. Want to do more? Do you have a Newf over 5 with good knees? A Newf that's had a cruciate repaired? Consider joining the pilot study.
Lori Littlford, chair, Research Advisory Committee
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Sending out a thank you to 7th Gear Exotics. They have generously provided the use of their van for transports and have donated needed food for dogs in foster care.
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D&B Properties was instrumental in delivering the donations from Barkbox™, donating their time and gas to help our Newfs in foster care. |
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We are very grateful to Barkeats™ for their ongoing support of our rescue program, donating over $20,000 in food and supplies. We truly appreciate their commitment to helping Newfoundlands!
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The NCA Charitable Trust has many planned giving opportunities, please contact us to learn more - - Learn More
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