Own a healthy purebred Golden Retriever under the age of two? Your canine has a unique opportunity to aid in the largest and longest observational study aimed at improving the health of dogs.
The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, the first of its kind in veterinary medicine, is currently recruiting Golden Retrievers with a pedigree going back at least three generations. The 10- to 14-year study aims to track 3,000 purebred Golden Retrievers over their lifetimes to identify risk factors for cancer, diabetes and other health problems. Some 1,900 dogs have been enrolled to date.
UW Veterinary Care veterinarians are encouraging Golden Retriever dog owners to consider participating in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, the largest and longest observational study aimed at improving the health of dogs.
Two UW Veterinary Care veterinarians, Dr. Calico Schmidt and Dr. Sandi Sawchuk, are enrolled as participating veterinarians and are encouraging qualifying breed owners to participate in the study.
“One of the goals of the study is to identify factors that help explain why so many Golden Retriever dogs end up developing cancer,” says Schmidt, clinical instructor in the Department of Medical Sciences. “Hopefully, the results will translate and help other dogs and dog breeds.”
If you are interested in participating in this study, contact your pet’s veterinarian at UW Veterinary Care or register online.
In addition to this study, UW Veterinary Care is recruiting for ongoing clinical trials that help advance veterinary and human medicine now and in the future. Clinical research allows the hospital to develop more effective diagnostic and treatment options for current patients, and many studies offer some financial incentive.
Jane Pruhs