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Request for Participation in Border Collie Study


Mark Billadeau
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Dr. Sue Taylor, Dr. Jim Mickelson. et. al. are studying what they have called Border Collie Collapse (similar in appearance to Exercise Induced Collapse). They are soliciting both affected an unaffected dogs for their ongoing research. If you are willing to participate please read the information below.

 

The ABCA is funding the clinical study phase of their research.

 

 

 

Border collie Collapse (BCC) Study

Dogs with Border collie collapse (BCC) may become abnormal after five to fifteen minutes of strenuous activity, particularly in warm weather. Affected dogs commonly develop a stiff, stilted gait with short strides and may scuff their feet during walking. They may seem dazed and confused or may simply lose their focus. Some dogs get very wobbly or appear "drunk" and a few dogs actually become unable to walk. Dogs recover completely with no residual lameness or muscle stiffness or discomfort.

 

How can you help?

We are currently collecting questionnaires and DNA (EDTA blood) samples and pedigrees from Border Collies suspected to have BCC.

 

Questionnaires

If your Border collie has had 2 or more episodes of exercise intolerance or collapse that may be BCC, please go to this website for the Canine and Equine Genetics Lab at the University of Minnesota:

 

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vbs/faculty/Mickelson/lab/home.html

 

Click on Border Collie Collapse under Canine Research

To fill out the online questionnaire and submit it electronically right away select the BCC questionnaire option.

 

Blood Sample for DNA

Instructions for collecting and shipping the DNA sample (EDTA preserved blood), and forms to accompany the sample shipped to the laboratory in Minnesota are also available on the website above. When you send a DNA sample in from your dog to the University of Minnesota, realize that there will be no "test result" forthcoming. The DNA will be used to achieve our long term goal of identifying the genetic cause of BCC.

 

Video

If you have a video of your dog having an episode of collapse we would also like to have the opportunity to view that. Send it to us electronically (sue.taylor@usask.ca) or send a CD/DVD with the video to Dr. Taylor. (Dr. Sue Taylor, Dept of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N5B4)

 

Exercise Study

We are also still looking for a few severely affected dogs who would be willing to travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada to participate in the exercise phase of our study. This will involve bringing or shipping your dog to Saskatoon, where we will perform thoracic radiographs, EKGs, cardiac echo, and clinical and blood tests before and after your dog participates in an exercise study. The next day, general anesthesia will be performed for diagnostic testing and muscle biopsy. Estimated time required in Saskatoon is 3 days. Funding is in place to help defray the cost of dog travel.

 

Ball chasing dogs can come individually for evaluation (stay for a Monday, Tuesday Wednesday).

Sheep herding dogs will be evaluated together on one day in May or June 2011 - time to be arranged.

 

Please contact Dr. Taylor if you are interested (sue.taylor@usask.ca).

 

Border collie Collapse (BCC) Study - NORMAL DOGS NEEDED

Dogs with Border collie collapse (BCC) may develop gait and mentation changes during or after strenuous exercise. In addition to describing and characterizing the syndrome of BCC we are trying to identify the heritability and genetic cause of this disorder. In order to find the genetic cause for BCC it is important that we have DNA from a large number of clearly unaffected (control) Border collies who have been worked at maximum capacity yet never exhibited any evidence of exercise intolerance.

 

How can you help?

If your dog is at least 3 years old (preferably 5 or older) and has engaged repeatedly in strenuous activity (especially herding) without ever showing any evidence of exercise intolerance, incoordination or collapse it would be very helpful if you would fill out a short questionnaire and have your veterinarian send us a blood sample from your dog. We need many more samples from normal control dogs who definitely do not have BCC.

 

Questionnaires

If you have a normal BCC and you are willing to participate in our study, please fill out the attached (see below) short questionnaire and ship a copy with the sample.

 

Blood Sample for DNA

 

Have your veterinarian collect 5-10cc of whole blood, place it in an EDTA (lavender top) tube and mix gently. The sample should be refrigerated until it is shipped.

 

The tube should be labeled with the dog's call name and owner last name and the words "NOT AFFECTED".

 

Whenever possible a copy of the questionnaire for this dog and a copy of their pedigree (with this dog highlighted) should be included in the package with the sample (place in a plastic bag so it does not get damp).

 

Have your vet pack the sample and the paperwork in a small box or insulated container with a cool pack. Ship to arrive in 2 to 5 days (overnight is not necessary) to:

 

 

University of Minnesota

c/o Katie Minor

1988 Fitch Ave

295 AS/VM

St. Paul, MN 55108

612-624-5322

 

The questionnaire is available upon request (send a PM to me).

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Oh my, just watched Denise Wall's video off the link, and it is exactly what my Joe does! We have gotten to where we just don't try to use him at all if the weather is even slightly warm. I must contact them on his behalf. Thanks for sharing this.

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  • 3 weeks later...

It's kinda late this evening when I'm looking at this....but it looks like they are only soliciting dogs who can travel to Sask. to participate....is that correct for now?

 

diane

 

 

Hi Group!

 

I am the study coordinator at the University of Minnesota. We are interested in ALL affected dogs for the genetic study. You do not have to have your dog formally evaluated by Dr. Taylor in Saskatoon to participate in the genetic portion of the study. For the exercise testing, yes, you (or your dog) do need to travel to Saskatoon. Dr. Taylor does have funds available to help defray the cost of traveling expenses.

 

We can help you decide if your dog fits the profile of a BCC affected dog by evaluating our online questionnaire, and videos if available. To complete our questionnaire, please follow this link:

 

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vbs/faculty/Mickelson/lab/EIC/bordercollieEIC/Survey/index.htm

 

Please let us know if you have any questions,

 

Katie Minor

 

University of Minnesota

Canine Genetics Lab

 

612-624-5322

minork@umn.edu

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  • 3 months later...

Border Collie Collapse (BCC) Study Update

 

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to post a quick update on samples that we are interested in receiving for our BCC study.

 

To the University of Minnesota--

 

We are still very interested in receiving additional blood samples from affected or possibly affected dogs. If you are unsure if your dog fits our study criteria, please complete our online questionnaire.

 

We are also in need to controls for the genetic study. We are looking for blood samples from exercise tolerant, normal dogs that are at least 3 years of age. Ideally these dogs should have actively worked stock for a minimum of one season without obvious signs of collapse or exercise intolerance. Please consider having a blood sample drawn the next time you are in to your vet’s office.

 

To the Western College of Veterinary Medicine--

 

We are still looking for dogs to travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to participate in either sheep herding or ball chasing studies. All diagnostic testing will be provided free of charge, and travel funds are available. A group sheep herding time will be arranged for a to-be-determined time this Spring/Summer. Ball chasing dogs can be evaluated individually throughout the spring/summer when travel conditions improve.

 

For additional information on BCC, including-- a detailed description of collapse characteristics, videos, submission forms for normal and affected dogs, as well as information about the exercise study; please see our webpage:

 

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vbs/faculty/Mickelson/lab/EIC/bordercollieEIC/home.html

 

Many thanks to those who have already participated in the exercise studies, and/or submitted blood samples.

 

Katie Minor

 

University of Minnesota

1988 Fitch Ave

295 AS/VM

St. Paul, MN 55108

 

phone: 612-624-5322

fax: 612-625-0204

minork@umn.edu

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Update on BCC Exercise Study

 

Based upon information gathered from evaluating 10 Border Collie Collapse affected dogs at the University of Saskatchewan, we have removed the anesthesia, EMG and muscle biopsy components of evaluation. None of the BCC dogs tested have had abnormalities in their lab work or histology that would indicate that Border Collie Collapse is a muscular condition.

 

With the removal of these components, all testing can be preformed in a single day, and there will be no down time for recovery or suture care. If you are able to travel to Saskatoon, or to send your dog for testing, please contact Dr. Sue Taylor sue.taylor@usask.ca

 

All testing is provided free of charge, and up to $500 in travel funds is available.

 

Exercise Study

 

Many thanks,

Katie Minor, RN

minork@umn.edu

 

Border Collie Collapse Study

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  • 3 months later...

The Border Collie Collapse study is still seeking participants both for sample submission and for field testing in Saskatchewan. If you are able, please participate in this ABCA funded study.

 

Mark Billadeau

ABCA Health & Genetics Committee Chair

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

The Border Collie Collapse study is still seeking participants both for sample submission and for field testing in Saskatchewan. If you are able, please participate in this ABCA funded study.

 

Mark Billadeau

ABCA Health & Genetics Committee Chair

 

 

Dr. Sue Taylor is planning to wrap up the field testing at the end of September, and write her findings at that time. If you are able to travel to Saskatoon, please consider doing so this summer. If you have not submitted a sample for the genetic study yet, she can collect and ship the sample while you are in Saskatoon.

 

Travel funds are available to help offset your costs, or to fly the dog to Saskatoon for testing.

 

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vbs/faculty/Mickelson/lab/EIC/bordercollieEIC/ExerciseStudy/index.htm

 

Katie Minor

University of Minnesota

Genetic Study Coordinator

 

minork@umn.edu

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  • 6 months later...

We are hoping to begin our genome scan to look for the underlying genetic cause of Border Collie Collapse shortly.

 

We are still very interested in obtaining blood samples from as many affected dogs as possible.

 

We are also very interested in obtaining blood samples from older dogs (at least 5 years) from as many different lines as possible to use as study controls.

 

Please see our website for submission instructions or email our lab.

 

Katie Minor

University of Minnesota

BCC Project Coordinator

minork@umn.edu

 

Border Collie Collapse

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  • 1 month later...

We are hoping to send samples for the BCC genome scan within the next month or so.

 

We would greatly appreciate additional samples from older unaffected border collies that have worked stock or competed in high activity level events, such as flyball or agility, without signs of exercise intolerance, collapse or disorientation. Ideally these dogs would be at least 5 years in age, and have competed for 2 years.

 

Please consider having a sample collected when you are next at your vets office. Samples can be sent via USPS for $5 or less. Submission forms are on our website.

 

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

 

Katie Minor

 

University of Minnesota

 

Border Collie Collapse

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We would greatly appreciate additional samples from older unaffected border collies that have worked stock or competed in high activity level events, such as flyball or agility, without signs of exercise intolerance, collapse or disorientation.

Is there any value in blood samples from unaffected dogs who do not have a pedigree?

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I have a retired 12 year old boy who played flyball, but he has competed in quite some time. He retired due to hip dysplasia though, not intolerance to activity. Do you want samples from dogs who currently compete in sports/stockwork only or those who have retired as well?

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I have a retired 12 year old boy who played flyball, but he has competed in quite some time. He retired due to hip dysplasia though, not intolerance to activity. Do you want samples from dogs who currently compete in sports/stockwork only or those who have retired as well?

 

 

If they have successfully competed in the past without problems, we'll happily take them if they have since retired.

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  • 2 months later...

Just an update, after an email with Ms. Minor over an episode Bennie had, she noted the following:

 

We are hoping to send samples for our genome scan very soon. We are just waiting until we get enough normals dogs for study controls. If you know of any border collies 8 years or older that have been used for field work or other strenuous activity without collapse please send them our way.

 

I see this was posted relatively recently, but thought I would bump this up in case there are any others.

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  • 2 months later...

Border Collie Collapse (BCC) Genetic Study

 

There will be blood sample collections for the Border Collie Collapse (BCC) genetic study in conjunction with the Optigen CEA 20/20 clinic Wednesday 9/26 and Thursday 9/27 during the 2012 National Sheepdog Finals in Klamath Falls, OR.

 

The study is looking for normal/exercise tolerant stock dogs to be used as study controls.

Requirements for the genetic study include a short submission form, a small blood sample, and a pedigree (which can be sent separately).

 

During the 2012 National Sheepdog Finals there will be no age requirements for normal dogs; however, dogs older than 8 years are especially helpful.

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