Month: July 2020

Hemangiosarcoma has long been considered one of the two cancers that all too frequently claims the lives of our precious golden retriever friends, both young and old. Below is a summary of research targeted toward remediating this dilemma.

The Shine On Study was conceived at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School to reduce the mortality and the suffering caused by canine hemangiosarcoma. Shine On consisted of three phases. Phase-1 refined a blood test to diagnose hemangiosarcoma. Phase-2 determined the utility of this test to determine if the disease had returned in a dog that was being treated for hemangiosarcoma. Phase-3 established the utility of the test to diagnose hemangiosarcoma in the earliest stages, so intervention would prevent the disease in otherwise healthy dogs. In this case, prevention would be achieved using the drug eBAT to kill the cells that create and maintain the tumor and to make the environment inhospitable to tumor growth.

More information about the Shine On Study, updated results and the drug eBAT may be found at www.vetmed.umn.edu.

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Running agility has become a passion – the team aspect of focus and connection with my beautiful, smart, talented and patient golden retrievers of my own breeding, the excitement of success, the critiquing and learning as we both grow separately and together, the pleasure of camaraderie with other like minded handlers. I miss all that so during this pandemic, cope by reliving sterling moments in the competition arena. This video is of Tuukka and I completing a clean run and qualifying score in Excellent/Masters Jumpers with Weaves. He is one qualifying score away from a title. Gooood dog!!

July 1, 2020 – The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study team is looking for golden retrievers over 12 years of age that have never been diagnosed with cancer to participate as control subjects in a cancer research project.
Dr. Erin Hales, postdoctoral fellow with the Study, is studying genetic changes that may contribute to cancer in golden retrievers. Older dogs (older than dogs enrolled in the Study) are needed as controls. These are dogs that have lived well into old age and successfully avoided the cancers that take the lives of so many younger golden retrievers. To fill this need, the Golden Oldies project was born.
To participate, dogs must be purebred golden retrievers, preferably registered with the AKC. Owners will complete a brief survey to sign up and then, if selected, fill out a short questionnaire. Each dog will have a blood sample drawn by their family veterinarian for DNA extraction. This DNA will be compared to DNA from Study dogs diagnosed with cancer to look for differences that could be a clue to why some dogs get cancer and others don’t.
By establishing a control group, Dr. Hales can start analyzing Study cancer samples now, meaning faster results to share with veterinarians, dog owners and researchers.
We’ll be sending out more specific information as soon as we have a target date for project launch. Who knows – maybe your dog could be a Golden Oldie! If you have questions in the meantime, you can reach us at goldenoldies@morrisanimalfoundation.org ehales@morrisanimalfoundation.org

Looking for something rewarding to do during the duration of the COVID 19 Pandemic? Consider beginning a training program for you and your Golden Retriever! Goldens are versatile and have potential in a number of performance areas. And connecting with your dog in goal oriented fun activities promote a renewed sense of well being, relaxation, and resilience. Even if you prefer not to compete the benefits of performance training are significant for both golden and owner! Check out the list below for descriptions of AKC activities offered:

What are the available areas of competition for my Golden Retriever?

• Conformation: http://www.akc.org/events/conformation-dog-shows/
  4 to 6 month puppy: http://www.akc.org/events/4-6-puppy/
  Owner-Handled Series: http://www.akc.org/events/nohs/
  Junior Showmanship: http://www.akc.org/events/junior-showmanship/
  Sweepstakes (Puppy &/or Veteran. Offered at Golden Retriever Specialties)
  CCA – GRCA’s Certificate of Conformation Assessment 
• Obedience: http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/
• AKC Rally: http://www.akc.org/events/rally/
• Agility: http://www.akc.org/events/agility/
• Tracking: http://www.akc.org/events/tracking/
• AKC Field Events (Retriever Hunt Tests & Retriever Field Trials): http://www.akc.org/events/field-events/
• GRCA Sponsored Field Events 
• Non-GRCA or AKC Events
  Nosework
  Barn Hunt
  Dock Diving… and many other game

What are the available areas of competition for my Golden Retriever?

• Conformation: http://www.akc.org/events/conformation-dog-shows/
  4 to 6 month puppy: http://www.akc.org/events/4-6-puppy/
  Owner-Handled Series: http://www.akc.org/events/nohs/
  Junior Showmanship: http://www.akc.org/events/junior-showmanship/
  Sweepstakes (Puppy &/or Veteran. Offered at Golden Retriever Specialties)
  CCA – GRCA’s Certificate of Conformation Assessment 
• Obedience: http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/
• AKC Rally: http://www.akc.org/events/rally/
• Agility: http://www.akc.org/events/agility/
• Tracking: http://www.akc.org/events/tracking/
• AKC Field Events (Retriever Hunt Tests & Retriever Field Trials): http://www.akc.org/events/field-events/
• GRCA Sponsored Field Events 
• Non-GRCA or AKC Events
  Nosework
  Barn Hunt
  Dock Diving… and many other game

At a time when there is so much uncertainty in our lives taking a moment to remember the people, places, experiences that bring us joy can be restorative.