Blood Samples Needed For Bloat Research (September, 2014)

Dr. Claire Sharp, DVM, DACVECC, who was the inaugural speaker at the BMT Mary Lou Tingley Health and Education Lecture Series in Sturbridge, MA, at the 2014 BCA National Specialty, is one of two lead investigators recently funded under the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s bloat initiative for her proposal to evaluate the genetic basis of bloat. (AKC CHF Grant 1937: Evaluating the Complex Genetic Basis of Bloat)

Importantly, Dr. Sharp’s grant will support the beginning of a biobank of samples that will facilitate the study of bloat by other investigators in the future. Dr. Sharp asks that owners submit blood samples from their dogs both with and without bloat history for her study. (Samples are not needed at this time from dogs who have never bloated but have undergone a prophylactic gastropexy–“tacking.”)

To encourage these submissions, the Briard Medical Trust will reimburse Briard owners for the shipping costs to send the samples to Dr. Sharp for this important research. (See instructions below.)

Dr. Sharp’s Instructions For Submitting Blood Samples For Bloat Study

Please click, print, and complete the following consent form and questionnaire (pdf links):

Consent Form
Questionnaire (Please add your name, your dog’s registered name and breed in the upper left corner.)

Samples can be collected as a 5mL of blood and then transferred to a purple top (EDTA anticoagulant) blood tube. It doesn’t matter how many tubes—either one large tube for multiple small ones. Labels the tube(s) with the dog’s name.

For samples drawn Monday through Wednesday, or Thursday if there is enough time, ship them in a Styrofoam box on an icepack overnight via FedEx. DO NOT ship samples on a Friday. (Please keep the blood samples refrigerated until Monday and then ship them Monday. That way we won’t get caught with them in the mail over weekends. That will keep the samples stable until they arrive at the lab.)

Include the completed consent form and questionnaire in the shipping box.

Please send an email to let us know that a sample is coming:  Claire.sharp@tufts.edu

Ship to:

Dr Claire Sharp
C/O Sarah Cass
Clinical Sciences Laboratory
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
200 Westboro Road
North Grafton, MA, 01536

Procedure For Shipping Cost Reimbursement

Any Briard owner who ships a sample to Dr. Sharp is eligible to have shipping costs reimbursed by the BMT.  Participants may either mail the receipt to:

Michele DeTour, Treasurer
Briard Medical Trust
69 Barton Heights
Greenfield MA 01301

You may also scan or photograph your receipt and email the image to Michele at nuviewbri@aol.com.

**Important** Whether you send your receipt via conventional mail or email, please include your address in order for Michele to direct your reimbursement check to you properly.

Thank you for your interest and participation in this very important project.