PARTICIPATION MATTERS
The clinical trial is evaluating the medication Riluzole as an option to slow disease progression in dogs with DM. This drug has been used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), a human disease with characteristics similar to DM. The trial is being conducted at several US veterinary schools with fund- ing from AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) Grant 03139: Riluzole as a Neuroprotectant in Canine Degenerative Myelopathy ( https://www.akcchf.org/research/research-portfolio/3139.html ). Goals of the study are to evaluate dosing and safety, assess clinical efficacy, and demonstrate use of a biomarker to assess disease progression. Julie recounts their experience: “I left Sophia overnight with the staff at the University of Missouri and their Neurology Department to run various tests such as MRI, radiographs, and more to get a baseline on her and confirm she would be a good candidate for the study. I picked her up the next day and was told that she was a great candidate. We were sent home with medication to start the next day. I was hopeful this would work, but was also very scared and concerned of the unknown, hoping that we would have no issues. After a few days we noticed slight improvements in her condition. After about a week, she was running, playing, and had her spark back!” (You can read more about Julie and Sophia’s experience and view videos of her before and after treatment on the Envision Boxers Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10222 293121013101&type=3. ) Unfortunately, after two months of participation, Sophia’s liver enzymes were elevated and continued to rise despite adjustments to her dosing schedule. The decision was made to stop the medica- tion and remove Sophia from the clinical trial. “While the neu- rologist and I are disappointed that we didn’t get the results we wanted, we know that we at least got some good information,” Julie says. “It may help other dogs or future Boxer litters bred by myself and others.” Sophia continued to do well for three months after stopping riluzole, but clinical signs of DM started to return this summer. With more than 15 years’ experience breeding dogs, this is Julie’s first dog affected by DM. “It’s been hard to deal with physical symp- toms while Sophia’s mental capacity is still good,” Julie says. “She will be 10 in January and has lived a great life. Even though she is not actively showing, she still comes along to enjoy dog shows and get attention.” Participation in CHF-funded research, including clinical tri- als such as this, is critical to advance our understanding of canine disease and develop new treatment and preventive strategies. Dog owners, breeders, and veterinary professionals are encour- aged to learn more and search for studies recruiting participants or sample submission at: akcchf.org/participate . At a minimum, submitting DNA samples to the OFA DNA Repository provides a ready resource for canine health researchers exploring a variety of canine diseases. As for Julie, “We cannot improve our breeds if we do not partici- pate in these studies when available. We need more breeders to be aware of these studies and get involved.” Thank you to Julie, Sophia, and all the researchers and study participants who help dogs live longer, healthier lives by participat- ing in canine health research!
“THE CLINICAL TRIAL IS EVALUATING THE MEDICATION RILUZOLE AS AN OPTION TO SLOW DISEASE PROGRESSION IN DOGS WITH DM. THIS DRUG HAS BEEN USED TO TREAT AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS OR LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE), A HUMAN DISEASE WITH
CHARACTERISTICS SIMILAR TO DM.”
120 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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