IWF Health Research Studies
The Goal of the Health Research Committee
To identify the types and prevalence of health problems affecting the Irish Wolfhound, and to initiate, support and provide funding for study and research projects which address them.
To produce, publish, and distribute to IW owners and veterinary health care providers educational materials relating to diseases, genetic anomalies, and injuries which occur in the Irish Wolfhound.
To further the understanding of Irish Wolfhound health issues, thereby improving the quality of life for Irish Wolfhounds and their owners.
IWF Research Committee Members
Mariellen Dentino, MD, Chairman
Janice M. Bright, BSN, MS, DVM, DACVIM
Margret Casal, Dr. Med Vet, PhD, Diplomate EUCAR
Nathaniel B. Sutter, PhD
Alice Timmerman, DVM
William D. Tyrrell Jr., DVM, DACVIM
Frances Abrams, PhD, Administrative Coordinator - Frances.abrams@att.net
Anne Janis, MS
GRANTS AVAILABLE
Attention researchers: please read our information on available funding for new grants.
Blood Collection for Research - The Irish Wolfhound DNA Bank
The Irish Wolfhound Foundation is building a bank of Irish Wolfhound DNA for current and future research purposes.
The Irish Wolfhound Seizure Study
This long-running study investigating seizures in Irish Wolfhounds is multifaceted, addressing categorization of seizures in IWs, problems involved in maintaining hounds who experience seizures, collecting and processing pedigree information, and collecting blood samples from affected hounds and their close relatives to try and identify genetic markers for this condition.
Simultaneous EKG and Echocardiograms in the Mature IW
The purpose of this study is to validate the EKG (easily available and inexpensive) as a screening test for Irish Wolfhound heart disease by comparing the results of EKGs and echocardiograms.
COMPLETED - Startle Disease: A New Genetic Disorder in Irish Wolfhounds
A new genetic disorder known as startle disease has recently been identified in Irish Wolfhounds from the USA.
The Irish Wolfhound Lifetime Cardiac Study
The Irish Wolfhound Foundation is conducting a study following over 1,000 Irish Wolfhounds throughout their lifetimes to obtain better information on cardiac disease in the breed. The annual health questionnaires are also providign valuable information on other health issues in the breed.
Standard Electrocardiographic Examination Versus Holter Examination in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation in The Irish Wolfhound
This study is investigating whether a Holter monitor presents a dramatically different picture of heart rate in comparison to a standard electrocardiogram.
The Pathology of Irish Wolfhound Dilated Cardiomyopathy
This study will examine the pathology of cardiomyopathy in Irish Wolfhounds using histiopathologic examinations of heart tissue.
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia/Rhinitis
Wolfhound rhinitis is a disease that mainly affects the respiratory tract, i.e. the nasal passages and the lungs. To eliminate PCD from the breeding population, a DNA-based test would be extremely valuable. This study is to find the gene for PCD and subsequently develop a DNA-based test for the disease.
Chronic/Recurring Pneumonia
Pneumonia in Irish Wolfhounds can be extremely serious or even fatal. It can recur repeatedly, becoming a chronic condition. This study is looking at one possible reason why some Irish Wolfhounds suffer so severely from this disease.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a known genetic disease that causes blindness in dogs. The IWF and the University of Pennsylvania are collecting blood samples in the hopes of eventually identifying the gene(s) responsible for PRA in Irish Wolfhounds.
Lymphoma
The Irish Wolfhound Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania are collecting blood samples in hopes of finding a genetic component to lymphoma in Irish Wolfhounds.
VPC Arrhythmias in Irish Wolfhounds
In Boxers and Dobermans, VPCs (ventriculsar premature contractions) can signal a condition which frequently leads to sudden death. In wolfhounds, VPCs appear to be more benign. This study will give us a much better idea of whether or not VPCs are truly benign in wolfhounds
Changes in Hormonal Measurements in Irish Wolfhounds with Atrial Fibrillation
This study is to measure normal hormone levels in Irish Wolfhounds and in those with atrial fibrillation with normal and abnormal echocardiograms to see if there are breed-specific differences in hormone levels associated with heart disease.
An Evaluation of Heart Rate in Irish Wolfhounds with Lone Atrial Fibrillation with Assessment of Digoxin as a Sole Means of Providing Heart Rate Control
This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of digoxin as a treatment for Irish Wolfhounds with atrial fibrillation.
Clinical and Immunological Outcomes in Dogs with Osteosarcoma Treated with Intratumoral Interleukin-12 Microspheres
This is a study sponsored by the Canine Health Foundation and supported by the IWF to evaluate treatments which may delay the onset of metastatic disease in dogs with osteosarcoma who have undergone amputation and chemotherapy.
The Irish Wolfhound Osteosarcoma Treatment Study: Alendronate (Fosamax) for Palliative Treatment of Irish Wolfhound Osteosarcoma
This study evaluated the effectiveness of Fosamax (alendronate) as a palliative therapy for osteosarcoma in Irish Wolfhounds.
