Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A tumor, we wait with hope


Vizsla with only three dogs on point
Photo from Gun Dog Magazine,  August 2012 issue 

As we get ready for Natasha's operation tomorrow to remove a curious tumor-like growth on her back for biopsy this story gives me great strength and hope. With any luck Natasha Rose's growth will be nothing and she will be in fine show shape by July when we hope to have her in her first international show. 

We have subscribed to the Gun Dog magazine and are thrilled to learn that our first copy to arrive in Chile by August will have Bart the wonder dog on its cover:
Vizsla on cover of Gun Dog

I encourage you all to read the article online and order your copy of the magazine available on news stands July 3.

Learn more about Cancer and lymphoma for your vizsla here:


Click on the type of cancer for more information
Bladder Cancer


Vizsla owners can help by participating in research 

Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium (CCOGC) 

The CCOGC collects tissues and fluids from dogs with specific cancer types following strict SOPs.  These procedures ensure all samples are of high quality and can be used consistently across multiple research projects.  The samples are assessable to any research project with scientific merit.  You can learn more about CCOGC and find a collection site near you at the CCOGC website.

Clinical Trials

If your dog has recently been diagnosed with a disease, there may be a clinical trial in your area investigating a treatment for that disease.  Enrolling in a clinical trial brings with it a commitment to follow through on therapies and testing. The benefits can include access to cutting edge medicine and the chance to help future generations of dogs. Resources for finding clinical trials.

Request for Cheek Swab Samples from the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium
Below is a request for Vizsla cheek swab samples from the Canine Hereditary Cancer 
Consortium (CHCC). This cancer study includes Vizslas and is focused on Lymphoma 
and Melanoma. The CHCC also needs healthy non-affected Vizsla cheek swab samples 
to be controls. Samples submitted by VCA members would greatly assist this study. 
Please read the information from Dr. Roe Froman DVM below. Dr. Froman is also the 
Health Chairman for the Clumber Spaniel Club of America.
Dr. Froman has also been able to access the Vizsla Lymphoma samples sent to the 
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) DNA Repository that were obtained years ago 
through efforts of the Magyar Vizsla Society and its members. Dr Froman has found 
Vizsla Lymphoma samples to be very useful in this study. 
I would like to thank the vizsla owners who generously submitted their Vizslas’ blood 
samples to the Magyar Vizsla Society, some as long as almost 15 years ago. It is very 
gratifying to see that cancer researchers are now finally utilizing these Lymphoma 
samples. I would also like to thank the Magyar Vizsla Society and its past membership as 
well as Sue Boggs who was the past liaison for Vizsla owners to submit their paperwork 
and information. Hopefully, these Vizslas affected by Lymphoma years ago are now able 
to help future Vizslas and other breeds as well. Again, thank you to the Vizsla owners 
who believed in this project long before we had CHIC and Canine DNA Data Banks. 
To assist this important research, please share this information with Regional Clubs to be 
posted on their web sites and newsletters. Also, please support the CHIC DNA 
Repository. More information regarding CHIC’s DNA Repository is available at: 
www.caninehealthinfo.org/dnabank.html
Thank you,
Lynda Ruffini
Vizsla Club of America
Chair, Health Committee
thebirdhuntress@stny.rr.com
Request for Cheek Swab samples for the CHCC 
The CHCC (Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium) is an unprecedented alliance of 
researchers, veterinarians, physicians and dog owners who are taking advantage of new 
genetic resources and technologies to learn how the DNA of dogs affected with cancer 
varies from that of the DNA of healthy, unaffected dogs.  No dogs are kept for research; 
we use only samples from dogs with naturally occurring disease.  This research is funded 
by the National Cancer Institute as well as by corporate sponsorship.
Vizslas are currently included in two of our studies:  melanoma and lymphoma.  Samples 
from affected dogs stored at the CHIC repository have been utilized, along with samples 
submitted by Vizsla owners directly from their affected dogs.  All samples are strictly 
confidential; no identifying information about dogs or owners is ever released or 
published. We also need samples from healthy Vizslas who do NOT have either melanoma or 
lymphoma, to serve as controls.  We will be happy to send buccal (cheek brush) DNA 
collection kits at owners’ request.  The kits are very user friendly, easy to do at home, and 
include prepaid return mailers.  
To participate in the study, please email the following information to Dr. Roe Froman 
DVM (roe.froman@vai.org):
Owner’s name:
Address:
Email: 
Names of your pure bred vizslas available for cheek swab sampling
Your participation is needed to help us develop new genetic screens, diagnostic tests, and 
treatments for canine cancers, as well as helping us to gain insight into the biology of 
human disease.  Your help will be greatly appreciated. 


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