Sun Valley
New member
My colleagues at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine are studying Myasthenia Gravis in the Newfoundland.
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease where the immune system attacks receptors that control muscle contraction. This results in generalized muscle weakness, which may lead to an inability to walk and swallow, and many dogs with MG develop pneumonia. The good news is that Myasthenia Gravis is treatable and some dogs may even go into remission over time.
However, due to the large size of Newfoundlands, proper treatment and nursing care is costly and can be difficult. As a result, Newfoundlands are often euthanized when diagnosed.
They are investigating the genetic cause for Myasthenia Gravis in the Newfoundland and are in need of DNA samples from affected dogs of any age. They are hoping to collect adequate numbers of samples from unaffected (control) dogs over 5 years of age at the upcoming Newf Club of Northern California regional specialty.
If anyone has or knows of a newf with MG, it would be great if they are willing to donate a blood sample to help with this project. A purple top tube can be sent chilled to UC Davis (2 tubes would be even better!). Providing a pedigree is also ideal.
For more information on the disease please visit: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vsr/Neurology/Disorders/Myasthenia Gravis.html. If you are interested in sample submission or have questions, please contact Zena Wolf at
ztwolf@ucdavis.edu.
If you plan to attend the NCNC regional specialty on October 26 in Dixon, CA, and are willing to donate a control sample from your dog over 5 years of age, that would be great. Zena will be there to collect blood- no shaving necessary!
Thank you!
Jennifer Larsen
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease where the immune system attacks receptors that control muscle contraction. This results in generalized muscle weakness, which may lead to an inability to walk and swallow, and many dogs with MG develop pneumonia. The good news is that Myasthenia Gravis is treatable and some dogs may even go into remission over time.
However, due to the large size of Newfoundlands, proper treatment and nursing care is costly and can be difficult. As a result, Newfoundlands are often euthanized when diagnosed.
They are investigating the genetic cause for Myasthenia Gravis in the Newfoundland and are in need of DNA samples from affected dogs of any age. They are hoping to collect adequate numbers of samples from unaffected (control) dogs over 5 years of age at the upcoming Newf Club of Northern California regional specialty.
If anyone has or knows of a newf with MG, it would be great if they are willing to donate a blood sample to help with this project. A purple top tube can be sent chilled to UC Davis (2 tubes would be even better!). Providing a pedigree is also ideal.
For more information on the disease please visit: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vsr/Neurology/Disorders/Myasthenia Gravis.html. If you are interested in sample submission or have questions, please contact Zena Wolf at
ztwolf@ucdavis.edu.
If you plan to attend the NCNC regional specialty on October 26 in Dixon, CA, and are willing to donate a control sample from your dog over 5 years of age, that would be great. Zena will be there to collect blood- no shaving necessary!
Thank you!
Jennifer Larsen