Cornell Vizsla Mast Cell Research Project: Sample Collection on March 16, 2013

What: Cornell University Veterinary School DNA Bank in partnership with the Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation (VCA WF) is collecting blood samples from affected and non-affected (8 years old or older) vizslas to identify a gene or multiple genes that may predict a predisposition for mast cell tumor cancer (MCT). This is the first vizsla-specific study of its kind and could result in a genetic test to detect the genetic susceptibility in breeding stock prior to breeding. This is a free health clinic to gather as many samples as possible for this project.

FMI: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/news/vizsla.cfm
When: Saturday March 16, 2013, 9am – 4pm.
Where: Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Stamford CT
880 Canal Street
Stamford, CT 06902

For more information and directions: http://www.cuvs.org

Eligible:
+ Any Vizslas who have been previously diagnosed with MCT. Please bring a copy of the affected dog's histopathology report.

+ Any Vizslas—8 years or older— who have not been previously diagnosed with MCT. These dogs will be examined by Cornell staff veterinarians to make sure they qualify as controls (non-affected).

Cost: Blood draws and examinations are free-of-charge.

Registration: Please register for the clinic in advance by contacting Liz Corey (DNA Bank) by email (dnabank@cornell.edu ) or by phone (607/253.3446).

What to bring: your dog(s), a copy of a histopathology report (if applicable), a three-generation pedigree and any OFA/PennHip information for each dog.

FMI: vcawf2000@gmail.com

Dogs and depth perception: Dog Falls 5 Stories & Survives

Natasha posing outside on the balcony of our 16th floor apartment

We live on the 16th floor in apartment that has balconies that nearly surround it. Families of small children often put safety netting around to keep their children from tumbling over the edge. You can see by the photo above that the bar comes just to the top of a chair, about to the middle of a person. There have been times I've worried that a ball tossed may go over the edge with Natasha Rose dutifully following after it. We've been smart to make sure that doesn't happen, keeping all toys inside, training her to stay away from the edge and not to jump onto the balcony bars surround it.

Or have we simply been lucky?

Gauge a vizsla in the Twin Cities was not so lucky, falling five stories, shattering his hip on impact and sustaining internal bleeding. His owner owner, Betsy Strachota, who brought him into work with her one Saturday explains  “We have a rooftop deck on our office. When I let him out to go to the bathroom, he looked across the roof and it looked like it continued. He couldn’t see it dropped off, and he jumped.”

A dog’s depth perception and field of view are  determined by how its eyes are set. Dogs, like humans have eyes set close together. Human eyes are set straight forward while dog eyes, depending on the breed, are usually set at a 20 degree angle. This angle increases the field of view and therefore increases the peripheral vision of the dog.

However, with a dog's increased peripheral vision their binocular vision is compromised. Binocular vision occurs where the field of view of each eye overlaps. Binocular vision aids in jumping, leaping, catching, and many other activities fundamental to predators' survival. Dogs with wider-set eyes have less overlap and less binocular vision -- thus less depth perception. Dogs’ depth perception is best when they look straight ahead.  This is not an ideal situation as their nose often interferes.  While a dog's binocular vision provides them a sense of depth, as to recognizing danger, that would probably depend on the strength of their prey drive, training, and experience.


But what happened to poor Gauge you may be worrying!

He was  lucky to be saved by veterinarians at the University of Minnesota.  Using their new 3-D CT scan the surgical team was able to have a much more in-depth picture of his injuries and save his life. Currently the dog continues to undergo costly physical therapy and will be evaluated for possible further surgery. His owner says it is worth it.

You may read the full story here and watch that video of Gauge in therapy:
Dog Falls 5 Stories & Survives Thanks To U Of M Technology « CBS Minnesota