If you have a dog diagnosed with osteosarcoma, Dr. Carlos Alvarez at Ohio State University needs your affected dog’s blood for his research into the genetics of this disease in our breed. We thank you in advance for helping this research move forward!
Dr. Alvarez is currently unable to accept DNA samples directly but is working to reinitiate it in 2025. However, DNA from dogs affected with osteosarcoma are still crucial for his research, so please send blood samples to the SDCA’s DNA Bank at the CHIC DNA Bank. Please be sure to list osteosarcoma on the health information so we can find the sample when we need it.
Information on how to send DNA samples to CHIC can be found here. If you use a credit/debit card, you can email the form to the OFA at ofa@offa.org.
If you choose to send blood, blood samples can be kept in the fridge for a few days, so if you need to collect it before you get the bar codes, keep it refrigerated.
Most vets have small insulated shipping containers and cold packs up the wazoo, so ask your vet if they have any they can give you when you have the blood drawn.
If your dog already has DNA banked at CHIC, then all you have to do is email the OFA at ofa@offa.org and tell them that your dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.