...and the people who love them. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners. We accomplish our mission by funding ground-breaking canine health research and providing educational programs for dog owners, breeders and veterinarians.
Prevent, Treat and Cure
• Discoveries about canine cancers that are leading to new individualized treatments.
• New surgical options for heart disease in dogs.
• The development of genetic tests for multiple breeds of dogs that make it possible to reduce the incidence of canine disease.
• More-sensitive, earlier-detection tests for diseases that occur in all breeds of dogs.
To learn more about the AKC Canine Health Foundation, get access to our canine health resources and make a donation to support our efforts, visit www.akcchf.org. /akccaninehealthfoundation @caninehealthfnd
And since dogs and humans are genetically similar and suffer from many of the same diseases, our work is also helping advance human medicine. CHFfunded research is advancing the study of human cancers, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cardiomyopathy, blindness in children and more.
Visit www.akcchf.org for more of the breakthroughs funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
For the health of our dogs... PO Box 900061 • Raleigh, NC 27675-9061 1-888-682-9696 • chf@akcchf.org
...and the people who love them. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners. We accomplish our mission by funding ground-breaking canine health research and providing educational programs for dog owners, breeders and veterinarians.
Prevent, Treat and Cure
• Discoveries about canine cancers that are leading to new individualized treatments.
• New surgical options for heart disease in dogs.
• The development of genetic tests for multiple breeds of dogs that make it possible to reduce the incidence of canine disease.
• More-sensitive, earlier-detection tests for diseases that occur in all breeds of dogs.
And since dogs and humans are genetically similar and suffer from many of the same diseases, our work is also helping advance human medicine. CHFfunded research is advancing the study of human cancers, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cardiomyopathy, blindness in children and more.
Visit www.akcchf.org for more of the breakthroughs funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
...and the people who love them. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners. We accomplish our mission by funding ground-breaking canine health research and providing educational programs for dog owners, breeders and veterinarians.
Prevent, Treat and Cure
• Discoveries about canine cancers that are leading to new individualized treatments.
• New surgical options for heart disease in dogs.
• The development of genetic tests for multiple breeds of dogs that make it possible to reduce the incidence of canine disease.
• More-sensitive, earlier-detection tests for diseases that occur in all breeds of dogs.
To learn more about the AKC Canine Health Foundation, get access to our canine health resources and make a donation to support our efforts, visit www.akcchf.org. /akccaninehealthfoundation @caninehealthfnd
And since dogs and humans are genetically similar and suffer from many of the same diseases, our work is also helping advance human medicine. CHFfunded research is advancing the study of human cancers, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cardiomyopathy, blindness in children and more.
Visit www.akcchf.org for more of the breakthroughs funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
For the health of our dogs... PO Box 900061 • Raleigh, NC 27675-9061 1-888-682-9696 • chf@akcchf.org
Help your canine friends live longer, healthier lives! The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is here to help you help your dog live a longer, healthier life. Owning a dog is a big responsibility, and we know that your dog’s health is important to you! Visit www.akcchf.org for more information about the health of your dog, including: • Podcasts with canine health experts • Educational videos and webinars • Information on canine diseases and caring for your dog • Health tips and resources • Updates on current canine health research
You can also learn about the symptoms, causes and treatments for common canine diseases such as:
Cancer Fifty percent of dogs aged 10 years or older develop cancer at some point during their lives. Common cancers in dogs include: hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, malignant histiocytosis, mammary cancer, mast cell tumors, melanoma, osteosarcoma, prostate cancer and transitional cell carcinoma.
Allergies The term “allergy” is a general reference to an overreaction by the immune system to common environmental contaminants. Allergens are any substances capable of inducing that specific hypersensitivity reaction in that particular animal. Most allergies in domestic dogs are exaggerated immune reactions (hypersensitivity) to flea or tick bites, contact or airborne substances, or some particular ingredient common in food.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat) Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a serious disorder that is fatal without treatment. More commonly referred to as bloat, GDV is a condition in which the dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists. Large, deep-chested dogs are most commonly affected by bloat. In dogs prone to GDV, a simple surgery called gastropexy can be performed by veterinarians to prevent fatal gastric torsion from occurring.
Osteoarthritis Arthritis is defined simply as the inflammation of a joint. In dogs, this term tends to refer to osteoarthritis (“OA,” also called degenerative joint disease or “DJD”). Osteoarthritis is a syndrome characterized by bone remodeling, lowgrade inflammation and degenerative, progressive and permanent deterioration of the articular cartilage of joints. It is estimated that 30% of all dogs have OA and the chronic pain associated with the disease.
Cruciate Ligament Rupture A cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a rip, or tear, of one of the cruciate ligaments. The cruciate ligaments are ligaments (connects one bone to another bone) that stabilize the knee. The most common cause of a CCL rupture is sudden trauma due to excessive pressure on the knee such as stepping in a hole while running, twisting while the foot remains planted, landing wrong when jumping or general rough play.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a gastrointestinal disorder in which a dog’s intestine remains irritated for long periods of time. IBD occurs when immune cells are inappropriately called into the lining of the GI tract. The end result is painful inflammation and thickening of the bowel lining. This interferes with the ability of the bowel to contract and move food. Common treatment includes change in diet and the use of drugs to reduce the immune response.
To learn more about the AKC Canine Health Foundation, get access to canine health resources and make a donation to support our efforts, visit
www.akcchf.org.
Seasonal Health Tips Winter Did you know you should consider feeding your dog additional calories if he spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal? Because it takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, dogs need additional calories to endure the colder climates outdoors. Winter’s cold air brings many concerns and you can find more tips and precautions from CHF by visiting our website.
Spring Did you know thousands of dogs are infected with dangerous ticktransmitted diseases every year? Canine ehrlichiosis, found worldwide, is the most common and one of the most dangerous tick-borne disease organisms known to affect dogs. Other major tick-borne diseases in the US include: Lyme disease, canine anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and many more. Be sure to visit our website to learn about the different types of transmitted diseases and how you can prevent your dog from becoming seriously infected.
Summer Did you know dogs’ only sweat glands are on their footpads and panting is the primary way dogs lose body heat to keep from overheating? Signs of overheating and/or dehydration can include sunken eyes and dry mouth, gums and nose; heavy panting, followed by disorientation and fast, noisy breathing; collapsing or convulsing; bright red or blue gums; vomiting and diarrhea. Visit CHF online to learn how dehydration and overheating can be prevented by recognizing early warning signs.
Fall Did you know obesity is one of the most common diseases diagnosed in dogs? Pet owners must recognize the negative health implications of obesity. As an optimally functioning body relies on the highly operating sum of its parts, nearly all organs (including the kidneys, liver, heart, immune system and more) suffer under the stress of carrying excess weight. The cooler fall temperatures provide a great opportunity to get outside and help your pet shed excess pounds. Learn more from CHF about how obesity can lead to irreversible diseases and how to safely help your pet slim down.
www.akcchf.org
To learn more about the AKC Canine Health Foundation, get access to our canine health resources and make a donation to support our efforts, visit www.akcchf.org. /akccaninehealthfoundation @caninehealthfnd
PO Box 900061 • Raleigh, NC 27675-9061 1-888-682-9696 • chf@akcchf.org