| Research into the breeds that are affected and which drugs cause
problems for dogs that have the MDR1 mutation is still in progress at
the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. We are
looking at other breeds to see if they have the mutation and taking
reports by owners and veterinarians on other drugs that may cause
problems for these dogs.
We are currently seeking samples from dogs of the herding breeds
(Collies, Australian Shepherds, etc.) that have experienced unexpected
reactions to drugs when administered at normal doses.
We are also working with veterinarians in Australia and France to
determine the frequency of the mutation in herding breeds in those
countries. Results of these tests are expected this year.
We are looking ahead to three important research directions
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We’d like to expand our research to identify other dog breeds
that experience a high incidence of adverse drug reactions.
-
We
believe there may be other chemicals and drugs that may cause
problems through this system or similar gene mutations. We’d
like to further define which chemicals and drugs those are.
-
A
key problem with getting needed drugs into the brain and keeping
them there is the very system that we discovered through our
study of the MDR1 gene mutation. Could this gene or others be
exploited when needed to ensure that we can get vital
chemotherapeutic drugs into the brain and hold them there?
Further studies by our research group may answer that question
and provide a less toxic, more effective way to treat cancers or
diseases of the brain.
How
you can help
You can help by reporting an adverse reaction your dog had to a drug
or by making a financial contribution to support further research.
By
joining the many individuals who believe and support the College of
Veterinary Medicine’s mission of teaching and research, we are able to
plan for the future with confidence. It is our privilege and desire to
be able to provide the best veterinary care to such formidable
companions – your dogs. We are pleased that you would seek to become a
partner in the work that goes on here.
A large part of what we do is made possible by the encouragement,
collaboration, and financial contributions of our generous public.
With your thoughtful gift, WSU is making a difference in the lives of
our beloved animals. Your gift enables us to greatly enhance the scope
of veterinary medicine and research and will allow us to continue
providing world-class health care for our patients.
If you would like to make a gift to the Veterinary Clinical
Pharmacology Laboratory using a credit card please click on the blue
circle "I Want to Give" link at the upper right
of this page.
If you are making a gift with a check, please make the check out to the
WSU Foundation, specify
that the donation is being made to the Veterinary
Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory and send to
the address below.
If
you would like to make any other type of gift, or for more
information on this or any other College giving program please
contact Lynne Haley at 509.335.5021or
lhaley@vetmed.wsu.edu
Lynne Haley
Veterinary Development and External Relations
College of Veterinary Medicine
PO Box 647010
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-7010
For
questions about ongoing research, please contact:
Dr. Katrina Mealey 509-335-0711
kmealey@vetmed.wsu.edu
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 609
Pullman, WA 99163-0609
(Phone/FAX 509-335-3745)
VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu
More Information and Publications
More about the
initial discovery of the cause of ivermectin
sensitivity.
Researcher explains Collies’ deadly reaction to medication. Dog Fancy,
June 2002, p24.
Mutant-gene discovery could help save Collies. Dog World, May 2002,
p13.
Scientific and Technical Publications
Mealey KL, Bentjen SA, Gay J, Cantor GH. 2001. Ivermectin sensitivity
in Collies is associated with a deletion mutation of the MDR1 gene.
Pharmacogenetics. 11:727-733.
Mealey K.L., Bentjen S.A., and D. Waiting. 2002. Frequency of the
mutant MDR1 allele associated with ivermectin sensitivity in a sample
population of Collies from the northwestern United States. Am. J. Vet.
Res. 63:479-481.
Mealey KL, Northrop NC, Bentjen SA. Increased susceptibility to
P-glycoprotein substrate chemotherapeutic agents in a Collie with the
MDR1 deletion mutation associated with ivermectin sensitivity, Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2003;223:1453-1455.
Nelson OL, Carsten E, Bentjen SA, Mealey, KL. Ivermectin toxicity in
an Australian Shepherd dog with the MDR1 mutation associated with
ivermectin sensitivity in Collies, Journal of Veterinary Internal
Medicine, 2003;17:354-356.
Sartor LL, Bentjen SA, Trepanier L, Mealey KL. Loperamide toxicity
after therapeutic doses in a Collie with the MDR1 mutation associated
with ivermectin sensitivity. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine,
in press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) Can Collie crosses or other herding breed crosses carry the mutant
MDR1 gene and have an adverse reaction to a normal dose of drugs?
A) Yes, it is less likely in a mixed breed, but still possible. We
have found the mutant gene in a Saint Bernard mix that had an adverse
drug reaction. The veterinarian did note that each eye was a different
color, like some Australian Shepherds.
Links
Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, Inc. A site is
dedicated to the genetics education of Aussie fanciers.
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Dog | Instructions
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 609
Pullman, WA 99163-0609
(Phone/FAX 509-335-3745)
VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu |
