Pomeranian Alopecia Research – We need your input!

 

Thanks to a Canine Health Foundation grant supported by the American Pomeranian Club, Dr Gary Johnson and associates at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine are searching for a DNA marker linked to abnormal hair coat and hair loss in Pomeranians. Often referred to as “black skin disease” by fanciers, this problem is devastating when it strikes.

 

We have collected samples from 117 Pomeranians for this study as of March  7, 2003. Of these, 46 are reported to have hair loss, and the remainder are normally-coated relatives of the affected dogs. In order for our research to produce useful results, it is important that we know precisely which of the dogs are affected by the disease we are studying and which are not. Many things can cause a dog to lose coat, and we need to be certain that we are not mixing together several different diseases that all produce the same end result.

 

The following survey is designed to help us correctly classify the dogs in our study. It should take only a few minutes to complete. If you own several dogs that have participated in the study, please fill out a survey for each dog. You may make as many copies of this survey as you need, or request additional surveys to be sent to you. We ask that you send the completed surveys to us as soon as possible.

 

Mail completed surveys to:

                        Dr Gary Johnson – Pom Survey

                        320 Connaway Hall

                        University of Missouri

                        Columbia, MO 65211

 

If you own an affected dog or normal relative of an affected dog (especially parents, grandparents, siblings, or offspring) and have not yet sent a sample, we would definitely like to include your dog in this research. Forms and instructions for participating can be mailed or faxed to you, or downloaded from our website, www.CanineGeneticDiseases.net .

 

If you have questions, need to request additional surveys or sampling forms and instructions, contact project coordinator Liz Hansen at HansenL@missouri.edu or call 573-884-3712.

 

THANK YOU for your assistance! Your participation in this study will assist us in devising a test that will allow Pomeranian fanciers to avoid this heartbreak in future generations.