CHF and VetVine Webinar Series

Addressing the Spay / Neuter Conundrum in Dogs: Some Breed-specific and Body Size-specific Guidelines

The practice of early spay/neuter for companion dogs not intended for breeding has been standard for decades. The proposed reasons are several, including preventing unwanted pregnancies, preventing unwanted aggression, and preventing mammary cancer (none of which has evidence-based support). In contrast, over the past decade, several investigators have reported an increase in certain cancers and joint disorders that have increased in association with spay or neuter. However, these findings were not clinically useful because breeds were generally lumped together, as were ages of spay/neuter.

UC Davis recently completed collection of data from extensive veterinary hospital records on 35 dog breeds and 5 weight categories of mixed breed dogs, showing major differences in vulnerability to the effects of gonadectomy on the prevalence of joint disorders and cancers. For example, with some specific breeds there is no impact of spay/neuter at any age or the occurrence of joint disorders or cancers, while there are certain other breeds where spay/neuter, as late as near two years of age, can markedly increase the chance of joint disorders or cancers.

This webinar will provide an overview of the data-based findings from hospital patient records, and the spay/neuter guidelines for each breed and for each weight category for mixed breed dogs. Suggestions will be offered for deriving guidelines for breeds not covered by the findings with the intention of offering a “handbook” for veterinarians wishing to guide clients in making spay/neuter decisions, breeders wishing to advise clients, and for those wishing to adopt a puppy.

Date: November 20, 2019
Time: 8:00 PM US/Eastern
Presenter: Ben Hart, DVM, PhD, DACVB

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Learn more about Dr. Hart's CHF-funded research:
Grant 02275: Disease Risks Associated with Spay and Neuter: A Breed-Specific, Gender-Specific Perspective
Grant 01840: Health Implications of Early Spay/Neuter on Canine Health

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy: From Gene Mutation Discovery to Clinical Trials

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is an inherited, adult-onset disease of the spinal cord causing progressive weakness and paralysis of the hind limbs and eventually all limbs. DM has clinical, histopathologic, and genetic parallels to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease) in humans.

Mutations in an enzyme that converts superoxide to water and hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), have been linked to DM and human ALS. These discoveries have guided studies to further understand natural history, establish biomarkers, and initiate clinical trials for therapeutic strategies.

Join us in this webinar for a better understanding of DM including:
- Genetic testing results as a risk factor for canine degenerative myelopathy
- The neurologic progression in affected patients in terms of disease spread and changes in neuroanatomic localization
- The pathophysiology of the mutated SOD1 protein and its consequences in the multifactorial pathogenesis of canine degenerative myelopathy
- A platform of clinical trial designs and their potential applications in veterinary medicine

Original Air Date: October 17, 2019

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Learn more about Dr. Coates' CHF-funded research:
Grant 02165: Identification of Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy: The Search for A Cure

What the flu! Protecting dogs and communities from canine influenza virus

Canine influenza viruses (CIV) have become established in North America and this has resulted in large high-profile canine outbreaks. Such outbreaks often have greatest impact in canine group settings and activities where many dogs come together, such as dog parks, boarding facilities, veterinary clinics and dog show events. Outbreaks of CIV commonly result in many sick dogs, some of which can develop severe illness, and this can have financial and reputational repercussions on canine businesses and organizations.

This talk will review our current knowledge of canine influenza, including diagnosis and prevention of this high-impact disease. Highlights from recent research by the author into the epidemiology of this disease will be provided to allow for early recognition and control, targeted prevention, and veterinary, owner, and community awareness and education.

Original Air Date: July 18, 2019

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This webinar is co-sponsored by AKC Canine Health Foundation and Merck Animal Health.

Learn more about Dr. Stull's CHF-funded research:
Grant 02532-A: Canine influenza: occurrence, spatial and temporal trends and identifying modifiable factors to reduce transmission at canine shows in the United States
Grant 02380-A: Estimating Prevalence and Identifying Risk Factors for Canine Leptospirosis in North America
Grant 02284-A: Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevalence, Clinical Illness, and Prognosis

How mothers matter: The influence of early maternal interaction on offspring behavior and development

Join us in this 1-hour webinar and learn about the ways in which maternal style, experienced over the first few weeks of life, has a long-lasting impact on later offspring development.

Included in this discussion:
- The association between maternal behavior and later offspring temperament and cognition
- The association between maternal behavior and later success of the offspring as a guide dog
- The nuances of maternal behavior and how small amounts of stress in early life likely lead to resilience
- Ongoing research to investigate the influence of mothering across other types of working dogs

Original Air Date: May 21, 2019

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Learn more about Dr. Bray's CHF-funded research:
Grant 02518: The Effects of Early Life Experience on Working Dog Temperament and Cognition

An Update on the Science Behind CBD (Cannabidiol) Use for Pets

Although cannabis has been used medicinally for centuries, the science behind it is still in its infancy. Since becoming legal in many states, its popularity has become mainstream, including its use in our veterinary patients. 

The objectives of this webinar will be to provide an overview of CBD, present a review of the published veterinary research, and a summary of the current study investigating its use for managing drug-resistant canine epilepsy. The intent will be to educate veterinarians and pet owners on the current status of CBD and its potential use in veterinary medicine.

Original Air Date: April 10, 2019

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Learn more about Dr. McGrath's CHF-funded research:
Grant 02323: Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD) for the Treatment of Canine Epilepsy

Understanding Steroid Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis and Other Inflammatory Neurological Disorders in Dogs

Inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system are common in dogs. Although well described, these disorders can prove challenging to diagnose, as the cause remains poorly understood and clinical findings can be variable or nonspecific.

Dr. Karen R. Muñana will provide an initial overview of inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system of dogs, and an in-depth discussion of steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), focusing on characteristic clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and long term management.

Original Air Date: November 14, 2018

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Crash, Boom, Bang: Updates on Canine Noise Phobia Treatments

Join Dr. Julia Albright and learn more about noise phobias in dogs including risk factors for development of canine noise phobias, assessment of behavioral and emotional disorders associated with noise phobias, pharmaceutical options available for treatment of noise phobic dogs, analysis of the literature and mechanisms behind new nutraceutical options for fears and anxieties, and management plans to help families and dogs cope with noise phobias.

Original Air Date: September 6, 2018

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Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): Underlying Disease Screening in Dogs. What Should I Be Looking For?

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Infection, neoplasia, and other triggers may contribute to the development of IMHA in susceptible patients. Unidentified underlying triggers likely contribute to treatment failure. Dr. Linda Kidd will discuss key points on immune-mediated hemolytic anemia including:

• Evidence for infection and other comorbidities as triggers for IMHA
• Clues - in a given case context - that help determine diseases for which individual patients should be screened
• Data from a recent AKC Canine Health Foundation study that illustrate how to optimize detection of vector-borne disease agents commonly associated with immune-mediated disease

Original Air Date: August 22, 2018

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The Increasing Threat of Canine Leptospirosis - Keys to Diagnosis, Therapy & Prevention

Over recent years, leptospirosis has received increased attention regarding its emergence and spread in dogs throughout North America. Dr. Jason Stull and Dr. Michelle Evason will review fundamental and advanced techniques in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this often fatal disease.

Original Air Date: April 10, 2018

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Canine Semen Evaluation & Fertility

Watch an interview with Stuart Meyers, DVM, PhD as he discusses his research about determining the characteristics of semen and how that relates to fertility. The research goes beyond standard parameters of sperm motility, morphology, and concentration as they assess semen from stud dogs at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Watch this video and learn more about current research into male fertility.

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Canine Pyometra - Why Some Dogs Don't Get Better With Medical Treatment or Experience Relapses

Dr. Marco Coutinho da Silva, DVM, MS, PhD, DACT discusses pyometra and findings of his research investigating why some cases may fail to respond to medical therapy or become a recurrent problem in dogs.

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A clinical genetics approach to understanding genetic, multiplex and health testing

Watch Jerold S. Bell, DVM present on the increasing availability of genetic screening tests, DNA tests, and how multiplex test panels also require an understanding of what the tests tell you. Watch this video and learn:

• The practical applications for using the results of these tests to improve the health of dogs
• The dangers for the inappropriate use of genetic tests to dog health
• The roles of the breeder, dog owner and veterinarian in utilizing genetic tests

Original Air Date: December 6, 2017

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