general information brochure

PO Box 900061 • Raleigh, NC 27675-90611-888-682-9696 • [email protected]

/akccaninehealthfoundation

@caninehealthfnd

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.

For the health of our dogs...

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. CHF-funded 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.


Prevent, Treat and Cure •Discoveriesaboutcaninecancersthatareleadingtonew


•Newsurgicaloptionsforheartdiseaseindogs.

•Thedevelopmentofgenetictestsformultiplebreedsofdogsthatmake it possible to reduce the incidence of canine disease.

•More-sensitive,earlier-detectiontestsfordiseasesthatoccurinallbreeds 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. CHF-funded research is advancing the study of human cancers, multiple sclerosis, LouGehrig’sDisease,cardiomyopathy,blindness in children and more.



PO Box 900061 • Raleigh, NC 27675-90611-888-682-9696 • [email protected]


@caninehealthfnd



For the health of our dogs...


Prevent, Treat and Cure • Discoveries about canine cancers that are leading to new


• 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. CHF-funded research is advancing the study of human cancers, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cardiomyopathy, blindness in children and more.



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:

•Podcastswithcaninehealthexperts

•Educationalvideosandwebinars

•Informationoncaninediseasesandcaringforyourdog

•Healthtipsandresources

•Updatesoncurrentcaninehealthresearch

Help your canine friends live longer, healthier lives!

You can also learn about the symptoms, causes and treatments for common canine diseases such as:

CancerFifty 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.

AllergiesThe 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 particularanimal.Mostallergiesindomesticdogsareexaggeratedimmunereactions (hypersensitivity) to flea or tick bites, contact or airborne substances, or some particular ingredient common in food.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat) Gastricdilatation-volvulus(GDV)isaseriousdisorderthatisfatalwithouttreatment.Morecommonlyreferredtoasbloat,GDVisacondition in which the dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists. Large, deep-chested dogs are mostcommonlyaffectedbybloat.IndogspronetoGDV,asimplesurgerycalledgastropexycanbe performed by veterinarians to prevent fatal gastric torsion from occurring.

OsteoarthritisArthritisisdefinedsimplyastheinflammationofajoint.Indogs,thistermtends to refer to osteoarthritis (“OA,” also called degenerative joint disease or “DJD”).Osteoarthritisisasyndromecharacterizedbyboneremodeling,low-grade inflammation and degenerative, progressive and permanent deterioration ofthearticularcartilageofjoints.Itisestimatedthat30%ofalldogshaveOAand the chronic pain associated with the disease.

Cruciate Ligament RuptureA 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 ruptureissuddentraumaduetoexcessivepressureonthekneesuchasstepping in a hole while running, twisting while the foot remains planted, landing wrong when jumping or general rough play.

Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseInflammatoryboweldisease(IBD)isagastrointestinal disorder in which a dog’s intestine remains irritated for long periods oftime.IBDoccurswhenimmunecellsare inappropriately called into the lining oftheGItract.Theendresultispainfulinflammation 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.

WinterDid you know you should consider feeding your dog additional calories if he spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal? Becauseittakesmoreenergyinthewintertokeepbodytemperatureregulated, 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.

SpringDid you know thousands of dogs are infected with dangerous tick-transmitted diseases every year? Canine ehrlichiosis, found worldwide, is the most common and one of the most dangerous tick-borne disease organismsknowntoaffectdogs.Othermajortick-bornediseasesintheUSinclude:Lymedisease,canineanaplasmosis,RockyMountainspottedfeverandmanymore.Besuretovisitourwebsitetolearnaboutthedifferenttypesof transmitted diseases and how you can prevent your dog from becoming seriously infected.

SummerDid you know dogs’ only sweat glands are on their footpads and panting is the primary way dogs lose body heat to keep from overheating?Signsofoverheatingand/ordehydrationcanincludesunkeneyes 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.

FallDid you know obesity is one of the most common diseases diagnosed in dogs?Petownersmustrecognizethenegativehealthimplicationsofobesity. As an optimally functioning body relies on the highly operating sum of its parts, nearly all organs (including the kidneys, liver, heart, immune systemandmore)sufferunderthestressofcarryingexcessweight.Thecoolerfall temperatures provide a great opportunity to get outside and help your petshedexcesspounds.LearnmorefromCHFabouthowobesitycanleadtoirreversible diseases and how to safely help your pet slim down.

www.akcchf.org

Seasonal Health Tips

POBox900061•Raleigh,NC27675-90611-888-682-9696•[email protected]


@caninehealthfnd



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