Page 10 - Issue 2_2018

REPORT OF THE AKC DELEGATE

12-13 March 2018
Newark, New Jersey
William I. Christensen, MD, MPH, Delegate

Canine Health Committee: Dr. Brown also emphasized that money donated for research in studies
funded by the CHF should always pass through the CHF rather than
Julian Prager outlined the legislative efforts being made by himself be given directly to the researchers performing the study so that the
and Sheila Goffe of AKC Government Relations on the federal level progress and productivity of that funded research can be monitored
to better regulate the health of dogs entering the country as well as and managed by CHF. Likewise, all blood samples collected by clubs
those being shipped around the country. Immunization and health for research should pass to the OFA/CHIC to preserve the future integ-
testing requirements are being sought. He is working with Patti rity of these samples.
Strand of NAIA, and both she and the AKC have retained lobbying
firms. Those requirements for health testing and certification of im- Information for dog owners on infectious disease topics is contained
munization which currently exist within USDA APHIS regulations are in a series of articles posted on the AKC CHF website and available for
currently not being enforced because of a lack of funding. A “tariff” download. Recent ones address canine influenza and leptospirosis.
will be proposed on dogs being imported for “resale,” including dogs
imported for shelters, to pay for inspections. Exemption of dogs being Work continues a project of the International Partnership for Dogs
imported for personal use will also be proposed. Current require- on the “harmonization of genetic testing.” Currently an estimated
ments for the transfer of dogs within the US, currently being con- 30-50 genetics laboratories are reporting the results of more than 200
ducted by shelters moving dogs to other shelters or to “pet shops,” are tests without regulations, inspections, quality control or proficiency
not being enforced either. It will be proposed that the state veterinary testing. The goal is to bring order and standardization to this field
health certificates for these dogs be registered federally to better with the main goal, not yet achieved, to create a website where dog
monitor their movements. owners can compare the quality, cost and pertinence to their breeds
of genetic tests. Those dog owners tempted to spend money on offers
Dr. Diane Brown summarized the work of the AKC Canine Health of multiple genetic tests from non-academic laboratories should first
Foundation during 2017. $1.94 million in grant funds was awarded. view a webinar by Dr. Jerome Bell: “A Clinical Genetics Approach to
The matches for both the tick-borne disease and epilepsy initiatives Understanding Genetic, Multiplex and Health Testing,” presented on
were awarded by AKC, with a total amount of $1 million contributed 12/06/2017 and available with a free registration on Vet Vine. (http://
by AKC. 2018 promises to be even more productive with $1.8 million bit.ly/K9HealthBytes).
in grants already funded. An effort has been made to broaden the
research funded beyond cancer as can be seen in the Research Grants In response to a question from a guest regarding the AKC’s position
Portfolio, the online version of which is updated monthly. $500,000 on the cloning of dogs, Board Liaison Dr. Charles Garvin reported that
for additional tick-borne disease research has been contributed as well the AKC board’s position remained that “cloning was not in the best
as for new research in atopic canine disease and in epilepsy, including interest of purebred dogs.”
the first double-blinded study of the effectiveness of cannabinoids
as an adjunctive treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. $200,000 has Joellen Gregory stated that the Otterhound Club had achieved IRS
been awarded for canine Addison’s Disease, which seems to affect non-profit status for its semen bank and has accepted its first speci-
many breeds. Additional areas of funding have been in the develop- men for preservation. The AKC has agreed that club can be registered
ment of a brucellosis vaccine, investigating what appears to be an as the “owner” of the sire for the stored semen and sign the registra-
increased incidence of inflammatory meningo-encephalitis in some tion applications for any breeding derived from this material.
breeds, especially field-type dogs, and in the prevention and treat-
ment of pyometra. During 2018, AKC will continue to match contribu- Staff liaison Keith Frazier reported for Mari-Beth O’Neill on veterinary
tions for hemangiosarcoma research up to $250,000. $100,000 has outreach. 16 lunch and learn sessions had been held with veteri-
just been received from the Golden Retriever Club. There is current nary students during 2017, with 9 scheduled and 2 completed thus
interest in the possibility that infection with bartonella, one of the far in 2018. During these sessions, the history and mission of AKC
“imported” canine diseases, predisposes to the development of hem- is presented as well as a summary of the AKC CHF research funds
angiosarcoma. awarded to that school and information on upcoming AKC events.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jerry Klein will conduct 4-5 of these events
Partnerships with other corporations and foundations promise to during 2018. 60 agriculture students from N.C. State visited the AKC
further extend AKC CHF resources and funding. These include Elanco In Raleigh. 11 scholarships were awarded to students at 9 veterinary
Animal Health, Merck Animal Health, Zoetis, and the V Foundation schools during 2017, ranging from $1000-5000 and totaling $26,000.
for Cancer, which has partnered with the CHF to fund a study in the Involvement in purebred dog activities Is required of those students
comparative oncology of bladder cancer. applying.
Dr. Brown reminded clubs that the Purina Weight Circle Program Mari-Beth O’Neill will attend the Student American Veterinary Medi-
continues to effectively raise money. One-half of the money from cine conference in Philadelphia this month and both Mari-Beth and
this program is awarded to the club and one-half to the CHF to be Diane Brown will attend the AVMA meeting in Denver during July.
contributed to Donor-Advised Funds. $227,442 was awarded to the
CHF from the 2017 Weight Circle Program. The Purina Brick Program, Peter Piusz and Mark Dunn, AKC VP of Registration and Customer
which memorializes or honors dogs through the engraving of a brick Development reported on the Marketplace. 162 breeds have submit-
placed at the Purina Events Center in Missouri, contributes $75 to the ted their health statements. Most breeds have also identified their
CHF for each $100 brick purchased. designated rescue groups. Parent clubs are asked to check their
breeds on the Marketplace after the new website rolls out on
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