Page 37 - Chow LIfe - Spring 2021

Health Committee Report: Lew Klein

The CCCI funded AKC CHF grant at Dr. Court’s Lab in Washington State University on potentially
lethal adverse reactions from anesthetic and sedative drugs is still in progress. Again, preliminary results
show there is a Chow genetic mutation resulting in a marked reduction in the functioning of the liver’s
main enzyme that metabolizes drugs. They are also developing assays to identify which drugs may be
problematic in Chows.
While some additional research participants have volunteered to donate DNA samples, we still need
significantly more Chows to fulfill the required statistical sample of 300. I’ll be glad to mail you a
DNA collection kit if you would kindly volunteer. Please note, the participation criterion has
changed to accept “all” AKC registered Chows, whether they have a history of being
sedated/anesthetized or not but a Chow with a history of being anesthetized or sedated that can be
substantiated by veterinary medical records “is preferred”. Still only one sibling from the same Sire/Dam
pair is eligible. What is needed:
1. DNA samples; two (2) cheek swab DNA brushes. Written instructions will included as well as an
Internet link to an instructional video.
2. A signed study consent form and dog information sheet (owner name, address, email, phone number,
dog call name, registered name, AKC number, age, sex, any history of sedative/anesthetic drug use and
response). A copy of the form is on the following pages.
CCCI would be grateful for your participation and we hope to see you at the CCCI National Specialties
in New York and Pennsylvania, where DNA collection kits will be distributed and collected.
A veterinarian in Germany is doing a thesis on moving disorders in puppies with an emphasis on
Swimmer Puppy Syndrome, since this disease has been hardly researched. She reached out to CCCI to
ask if its member would participate in a 15-30 minute survey, since she is dependent on breeders for her
research data. I’ve taken the survey. The agreement is harmless and the survey is high level. So if you are
interested, the link to the survey is below and should be “clickable” in the digital version of ChowLife:
https://www.scientific-surveys.uni-muenchen.de/evasys/online.php?p=SwimmerPuppies

Thanks, Lew Klein, CCCI Health Committee (lewis.Klein555@gmail.com)

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