OCD NEWS AND UPDATES

Do you own a Great Dane?
Do you want to make $50?


A study at the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Center is recruiting owners and breeders of Great Dane dogs to participate in a DNA study designed to improve the health of the Great Dane and other dog breeds. The first 100 people that have their pets participate in the study will earn $50.

We are studying Great Danes and their orthopedic conditions. We have a specific interest in osteochondrosis (OC), a developmental orthopedic disease that results in areas of cartilage that do not properly develop into bone. The abnormally thickened cartilage is prone to damage which can result in lameness, swelling of the joints, and osteoarthritis if fractured (a flap is formed, known as osteochondrosis dessicans, OCD). Osteochondrosis most commonly affects large and giant breed dogs.

Study Title: The study of the genetics of osteochondrosis dessicans in the Great Dane.

Purpose of Study:

• Our goals are to collect DNA samples and examine the pedigrees to search for a possible mode of inheritance for osteochondrosis. This will help us to identify a gene or genes that may be responsible for the condition.

• Further analysis of these genes may reveal mutations that could be used as markers, allowing us to investigate ways to reduce the incidence of the condition.
What we need:

• We wish to collect a small blood sample from Great Danes that have OC, and normal Great Danes over 2 years old.

• Owners must provide pedigree information (at least 3 generations) to receive the $50 incentive.

• Please contact us to set up a time for a free orthopedic examination and blood sample collection.

Investigator: Vicki Wilke, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS - phone: 612-625-4966, Email: Wilke175@umn.edu

Clinical Research Coordinator: Alexa Hart -phone: 612-624-5695, Email: Hart0318@umn.edu


Please see the PDF files below for more information.