🔬 Research Study: U of Minnesota & UGA seeking English Cocker Spaniels for an IMHA genetics study.

All costs covered!

The Friedenberg and Clark labs at the University of Minnesota and the University of Georgia are working on a research project to study the genetics of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), a disease commonly found in English Cocker Spaniels. IMHA is a serious autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its red blood cells, leading to anemia. Anemic dogs struggle to carry enough oxygen in their blood and are highly prone to blood clots. Both of these problems can result in organ damage and organ failure.

As there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms that cause IMHA, we are investigating the genetic risk factors for IMHA by comparing affected and healthy populations of Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels. We hope that this will lead to a genetic test that can predict which English Cocker Spaniel dogs are at high vs. low risk for developing IMHA.

We’re looking for English Cocker Spaniel owners who would be willing to enroll their dog in our study.

We are currently seeking:

• English Cocker Spaniels diagnosed with IMHA in the past or currently undergoing treatment for IMHA.
• Healthy English Cocker Spaniels at least 9 years of age who have never had IMHA in the past
• Any English Cocker Spaniel (with or without IMHA in the past) who is nearing the end of their life and might be willing to donate a tissue sample after they’ve passed.

Participation would involve working with your regular veterinarian to obtain the samples we need, and the study would pay for all associated costs. Your contribution would make a huge difference in advancing our research!

If you think your dog might qualify for our study, please email us at imha@umn.edu and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

Please note that at this time, we can only accept samples from the US or Canada, but we are working to expand this over the next several months.

This project is funded and supported by the English Cocker Spaniel Health & Rescue Organization and the National Institutes of Health.

You can read more about our genetics study and immunology study on our lab website.