Dog Slobber: Not just a wet smelly kiss

There’s another reason to call dogs man’s best friend. The Translational Genomics Research Institute or TGen has developed what could be a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. TGen has created the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium to gain an understanding of why pets and their owners get sick.

Private pet owners volunteered their pets for the study. During the testing dogs saliva, blood and tumor samples were analyzed. Director of the TGen-VARI program for canine health and performance Dr. Mark Neff explains the purpose of the study saying “Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs. By studying the DNA of canines, we expect to more quickly discover the genomic causes of disease and more quickly find ways to better treat dogs and people.”

Nearly 50% of dogs older than 10 years is infected with cancer. This new study has been approved by the American Kennel Club and Morris Animal Foundation. PetSmart executive chairman Phil Francis says the company is proud to support a study which supports their mission toward providing complete lifetime care for pets and also benefits pet owners. The Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium is funded by a $4.3 million stimulus grant and donations sent by private donors.