Connecting pets
with cutting edge medicine

Diabetes mellitus is an important health problem in both dogs and people. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in people is caused by an attack of the body’s own immune system on cells in the pancreas. Diabetes in dogs is thought to be similar in some ways to T1D in people, but there is still much more to learn about the causes of diabetes in dogs as well as better ways to prevent and treat the disease. The purpose of this study is to learn more about metabolism and immune function in diabetic dogs.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common disease that affects all breeds of dogs and can be fatal. In the severe form of the disease complement activation causes red blood cells to be broken down in the bloodstream. At present no therapies for IMHA target this complement activation. We have confirmed that an FDA licensed formulation of C1-INH is safe for dogs and effectively inhibits canine complement mediated hemolysis. We hope this will translate into a beneficial effect in dogs with intravascular red cell breakdown due to IMHA.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of heart muscle that results in a decreased ability of the heart to pump blood. The prognosis for DCM is often poor, with a less than 50% survival rate one year after clinical signs develop, unless a reversible underlying cause is identified. There is no available cure for Dilated Cardiomyopathy, current techniques focus on extending survival time as long as possible. However the focus of this clinical trial is to evaluate a potential curative treatment for cardiomyopathy in the Doberman Pinscher.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are tumors that arise from various skin and connective tissues under the skin, such as fat, muscle, cartilage, nerves, or small blood vessels. These tumors can occur from any site on the body and commonly regrow after tumor removal. While surgical removal and other therapies are available to treat these tumors, little is known as to why the occur in the first place. Dr. Andrew Miller and his lab are collecting samples of canine soft tissue sarcomas in order to determine their RNA molecules, otherwise known as transcriptomes. This information will one day lead to new treatments and preventives for these tumors.

The clinical signs in some cats with chronic enteropathy (chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea) can be reversed with dietary management using a specially formulated diet. It is not clear why some cats respond to diet, or what the optimal composition of the diet for cats with chronic enteropathy should be. We want to know if diets containing proteins that are selected to minimize immune responses and fortified in Vitamin B12 and natural anti-inflammatory agents (prebiotics and curcumin) are better than conventional diets for cats with chronic enteropathy.

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs with few treatment options available. Traditional chemotherapeutic drugs have been used to extend quality of life, achieve clinical remissions, and slow cancer progression, but can be expensive.  Additional safe, low cost therapies are needed for canine patients. This study repurposes an antibiotic drug that has established data regarding its benefit and safety in dogs when used to treat certain infections. Furthermore, research has shown that this drug decreases the ability of the lymphoma cells to thrive in a laboratory setting. In the current study, dogs will be prospectively enrolled to receive either prednisone alone or prednisone in combination with the study drug. This study is available through the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Oncology service and is sponsored by the Cornell University Animal Health Grants Program.