This week on Genome Barks, AKC Canine Health Foundation Vice-Chair Lee Arnold welcomes Dr. Natasha Olby of North Carolina State University.  A veterinary neurologist, Dr. Olby has received funding from the CHF to study cerebellar cortical degeneration in several breeds.  In this podcast, Mr. Arnold and Dr. Olby discuss what breeds are involved in the research and what progress is being made.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Adam Birkenheuer, a member of the faculty of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Birkenheuer is a specialist in infectious disease, and will be discussing “bugs” that can make our dogs sick, including parvovirus, kennel cough, mange and tick borne disease.  Dr. Birkenheuer will also discuss the management of infectious disease in multiple dog homes or kennel situations.

This week on Genome Barks, Dr. Gillian McClellan talks about canine eye disease.  Dr. McClellan, an ophthalmologist for the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Madison College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses some of the differences between human and canine eyes, as well as things to watch out for that could threaten a dog’s vision.  Finally, Dr. McClellan speaks to the various inherited canine ophthalmic diseases that breeders should be aware of.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Cheryl London, a faculty

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Linda Bell, of PetPartners Inc. who talks about the American Kennel Club’s pet healthcare plan.

The American Kennel Club® selected PetPartners, Inc. as the dedicated provider for the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan.  Increasing numbers of pet owners are finding that pet health insurance is a more secure way of planning for unexpected veterinary bills, to avoid counting on unreliable credit options in these uncertain times.

Linda Bell, Chief Marketing Officer at PetPartners, added, “The holiday season is a perfect time to consider the gift of a healthcare plan for your pet.  Should your pet have an unexpected accident or illness, knowing that you will be able to provide the best veterinary care could be the greatest present for the whole family.”

During the busy holiday season when family and friends visit, it is easy for dogs to get up to mischief behind their owners’ backs, with tempting food, candies, toys, and tree ornaments in all too easy reach – often with expensive outcomes, such as these real claims for veterinary bills, paid by PetPartners:

• Ate a kitchen towel                                           $3,738 paid
• Ingested a chicken bone                                     $2,699 paid
• Swallowed a rubber chew toy                            $1,552 paid
• Ate Christmas garland                                       $3,325 paid
• Slipped on ice and tore cruciate ligament             $3,279 paid
• Chewed on a hand warmer                                $1,424 paid