231 – Researching Connections Between Ticks and Cancer, Other Disease | Pure Dog Talk




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Summary: Research shows growing problem with ticks<br> Ticks are creepy crawly creatures we all love to hate. But they are also dangerous disease vectors transmitting deadly organisms. Dr. Diane Brown, CEO of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, shared incredibly<br> <br> <a href="https://puredogtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Diane-Brown-2018.jpg"></a>Dr. Diane Brown, CEO, AKC Canine Health Foundation.<br> <br> valuable information about what her organization is doing to lead the fight against these diseases.<br> <br> CHF funded research has identified a class of tick-borne organisms, called Bartonella. Bartonella invades the host’s blood vessels and can cause inflammation in the heart.<br> “What if that (bartonella infection) is the early trigger that leads to chronic inflammation in the blood vessels,” Brown posits, “potentially leading to the development of cancer.”<br> Current CHF funded research is looking at bartonella in association with hemangiosarcoma, literally cancer of the blood vessels.<br> <br> “It’s a little controversial,” Brown said “but there’s a lot of impetus driving the research in this direction.”<br> Tick-borne organisms associated with deadly disease<br> The Foundation’s research also has shown immune mediated hemolytic anemia can be associated with tick borne disease.<br> <br> “It’s critical to test these dogs for an underlying tick borne infection before treating them with steroids that can just exacerbate the problem,” Brown said.<br> <br> The CHF initiatives are working on broad spectrum of vectors that impact the health of dogs, Brown noted. She added that new tick species and diseases are discovered every year.<br> <br> “Tick preventives are key to keeping your dog healthy,” Brown said. With the rising number of “co-infections” she noted that testing for more than one disease is imperative.<br> <br> CHF has a three-prong approach to this burgeoning crisis. The non-profit funds research focused on diagnosis, new therapies for treatment and prevention.<br> <br> Hear more on this topic with CHF Board Member Susan Hamil:<br> <br> <a href="https://puredogtalk.com/64-bloodhound-mantrailing-and-canine-health-foundation-tick-program-with-susan-hamil-2/">https://puredogtalk.com/64-bloodhound-mantrailing-and-canine-health-foundation-tick-program-with-susan-hamil-2/</a><br> <br> Additional Resources from CHF:<br> <br> CHF Tick-Borne Disease Research Initiative landing page; includes grants, research publications, webinars, podcast, news, other resources<br> <br> <a href="http://www.akcchf.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.akcchf.org</a><br> <br> White paper:<br> <br> <a href="http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/sporting-field-dogs/Tick-borne-Disease.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/sporting-field-dogs/Tick-borne-Disease.pdf</a><br> <br> Lyme Disease Fact Sheet:<br> <br> <a href="http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/current-topics-in-infectious-disease/AKC-CHF-Lyme-Disease-Fact-Sheet.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/current-topics-in-infectious-disease/AKC-CHF-Lyme-Disease-Fact-Sheet.pdf</a><br> <br> Ticks and Zoonotic Disease Webinar with Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt:<br> <br> <a href="https://www.vetvine.com/article/274/akcchf-tick-borne-diseases-event" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.vetvine.com/article/274/akcchf-tick-borne-diseases-event</a><br> <br> Diane Brown, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer for the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF). She joined CHF in August 2015, and oversees operations and scientific programs from its Raleigh, NC headquarters. Her role is to cultivate and execute the Foundation’s research and education strategy in collaboration with its Board of Directors,