GSCA Health and Hereditary Report 2007
Committee Chair:  Carie May-Bowers

Email:  maybowers@sbcglobal.net or gianthealth@sbcglobal.net

Champions of  Health Award:  The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, along with the Giant Schnauzer Club of America is offering a new award for dogs that have significant accomplishments in the ring, field, as a working dog or as a producer, and that has the full complement of appropriate health screening and temperament testing as well.  Included in the qualifications for this award will be participation in research, donations to the CHIC DNA Data Bank.  This award will be presented at the Annual National Specialty. 

Canine Health Information Center (CHIC):  The Giant Schnauzer Club of America is listed as a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) breed.  Giants involved in the CHIC program are certified for the following:  OFA or Penn-Hip, CERF, and Thyroid.  There are currently 29 CHIC Giants and all breeders and owners are strongly encouraged to participate in this wonderful program (http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/).  At the end of this report is a list of current CHIC Giants, along with an example of how the information is presented on the CHIC website.

CHIC DNA Database:  CHIC Giants are now able to submit their DNA samples along with corresponding genealogic and phenotypic information to the CHIC DNA Repository to facilitate.  The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the AKC Canine Health Foundation, collects and stores canine DNA samples along with corresponding genealogic, phenotypic, and lifetime health history information.  This repository will be made available to researchers and research facilities and was designed with the concept of eliminating the need to donate multiple DNA samples for individual research project that will expedite the sample collection process.  The bank will accept either blood samples or buccal (cheek) swabs (http://www.akcchf.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=143).

CHIC and CHIC DNA Database data:

44 Giant Schnauzers have qualified for the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program

3 Giants have samples in the CHIC DNA Data Bank 

Digital Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Giant Schnauzer, Ostrander Lab:

13 Giants Schnauzers diagnosed with SCC have participated

11 age matched healthy Giant Schnauzers have participated

 

American Temperament Test (ATT):

4 Giants passed the ATT test in 2006

Current Research Projects Involving the Giant Schnauzer:

• The Ostrander Laboratory at the National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH is researching the genetic susceptibility to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the digit in dogs with black coats in breeds such as the Giant Schnauzer, black Standard Poodle, Scottish Terrier, and the Labrador Retriever. The goal of this project is to identify the genetic variants responsible for susceptibility to this disease.  This is the first step leading towards development of a genetic test for digital squamous cell carcinoma.  The Ostrander Laboratory needs blood samples from dogs with SCC and from dogs over the age of five with no known cancer to genotype as normal controls.  Pepper/Salt Giants are encouraged to participate in this project to assist in establishing the genetic link to coat color.  If you are interested in participating in this study contact Dana Mosher, Ostrander Lab Samples Manager (301-451-9390) or email at mosherd@mail.nih.gov.  Included in this report is an update on this project.
• Dr. Ostrander and her collaborators at the Ostrander Laboratory are studying the genetic basis of skeletal size in purebred dogs.  They are trying to localize the genes that determine size variation among the three breeds of Schnauzer and the three varieties of Poodles.  The goal is to advance our understanding of how bone growth is regulated, which will open new avenues for disease research in dogs. If your are interested in participating in this research projects please contact Dana Mosher, Ostrander Lab Samples Manager (301-451-9390) or email at mosherd@mail.nih.gov. 
• The Giant Schnauzer is involved in the Genetics of Canine Aging and Longevity study being conducted by Sarah Canterberry, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Researchers believe that there may be genetic factors that affect the aging process in dogs and are seeking to characterize the genes that appear to be linked to the aging process and body size.  For more information on this study contact Sarah Canterberry at scanterberry@cvm.tamu.edu.  For additional information on this and many other on-going canine research projects at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine see the Canine Genetics Research Laboratory website at www.cvm.tamu.edu/cgr.
• Anita M. Oberbauer, PhD with the University of California, Davis is doing research on characterizing Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Mastiff, Poodle, and the Giant Schnauzer.  The goal is to develop a unique genetic marker to assist with selecting breeding stock with a lower likelihood of passing on this condition. To participate visit their website at http://cgap.ucdavis.edu/epilepsy.htm.

AKC Call for Participation [August 29, 2007] http://www.akcchf.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=203:

o    Studying heart function in dogs with lymphoma -- All Breeds

                        A new Veterinary Teaching Hospital study is being conducted to determine whether doxorubicin, one of the primary drugs used in treating lymphoma in dogs, may weaken the canine heart.

                        Please e-mail julie_osborne@ncsu.edu for more information.  

o    Recruitment of Epileptic Dogs for Seizure Drug Study Continues -- All Breeds

        The clinical trial demonstrating the possible effectiveness of the pharmaceutical drug Keppra as an additional therapy in the treatment of canine epilepsy aims to recruit 10-15 more dogs to complete this important study in canine epilepsy. Dr. Karen Munana, principal investigator of the study notes that initial results demonstrate that this drug may be effective controlling seizures in some dogs with epilepsy. By adding 10-15 more dogs to this study base, statistical summaries will provide additional information to firm up this claim. The study is multi-institutional study, with veterinary neurologists from North Carolina State University, the University of Tennessee, and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine participating.

         If additional information is needed for interested referring veterinarians and/or owners please contact study research technician, julie_osborne@ncsu.edu, or fax inquiries to 919-513-6830. More information regarding this study can also be found here http://sdm3.rm04.net/ctt?kn=11&m=972889&r=NzUyOTU5MDkwMQS2&b=0&j=MzIyMjM0OTgS1&mt=1.

 o    Dogs with Oral Melanoma -- All Breeds

        Dogs with oral melanoma are being recruited for a study of a novel vaccine developed by Merial Limited, an animal pharmaceutical company, to determine if this vaccine can help to prolong the survival time in dogs with oral melanoma. Dogs enrolled in the study will receive the melanoma vaccine and associated exams and lab work and radiographs that will be subsidized by the study.

                For more information on this study email: paul_hess@ncsu.edu or julie_osborne@ncsu.edu or call 919-513-6812.   

 The GSCA Health & Heredity Chair attended the following Seminars 2006- 2007:

• 4^th Annual Behavior Symposium:  Top Behavioral Concerns Clinicians See Today: January 14, 2007, UC Davis, CA.
• 10^th Annual Canine Medicine Symposium: April 28-29, 2007, UC Davis, CA.
• Breeder’s Seminar:  Myra Harris Savant-Harris, RN and Debbie Holland, July 21-22, 2007, Livermore, CA.
• 2007 AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference: Canine Health Foundation and Nestle Purina PetCare.  A biannual event hosted by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and sponsored by the Nestle Purina PetCare Company and the American Kennel Club.  October 18-22, 2007 St. Louis, Missouri.  This convention provided up to date information on current and future research on canine health.  A packet containing copies of materials and lectures will be made available to the GSCA, please contact the GSCA Health & Heredity chair if you are interested.  http://www.akcchf.org/donate/club_participation/purina_partnership.cfm

The GSCA Health & Heredity Chair submitted articles to Jeanette Landon for the GAZETTE January 2006 & 2007 issues:

• January 2006 issue.  Research Projects involving the Giant Schnauzer.
• January 2007 issue.  Giant Schnauzer Health:  Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) Programs.

Current CHIC Giant Schnauzers as of September 2007:

http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/results.html?submit=Begin&breed=GSC