Breakthrough in Gastric Cancer Research in Belgian Shepherd Dogs

Veterinary researchers Paul Mandigers and Sanne Hugen from the Expertise Center for Animal Genetics, in collaboration with researchers from Cornell University in the USA, have identified DNA markers that influence the risk of gastric cancer in Belgian Shepherd dogs. This makes it possible to develop a DNA test that will indicate the likelihood that an individual dog of this breed will evelop gastric cancer. This would enable earlier diagnosis and thus early treatment.

Gastric cancer has a high incidence among Belgian Shepherds in the Netherlands. The breed has four variants in Europe: Malinois, Laekenois, Tervuren, and Groenendael. The Tervuren and Groenendael, in particular, are susceptible to gastric cancer. A DNA test will make it possible to determine the risk of gastric cancer in an individual dog in the future.

Cancer is a complex disease. Environmental factors play a role, but research in recent years has made it clear that genetic predisposition plays a significant role in the development of gastric cancer in Belgian Shepherds.

Collaboration to Prevent Disease

The researchers are pleased with the collaboration with Cornell University. Hugen comments: “We complement each other well and exchange data from different populations of dogs in the United States and Europe. This will enable us to develop a reliable DNA test for screening, including for use in breeding dogs. As researchers, we monitor the results of these DNA tests, which allows us to learn more about the genetic factors of gastric cancer in Belgian Shepherds. It is fantastic how this will help us to better treat and prevent this serious disease in the future.”

Belgian Shepherd in Fit2Breed?

The researchers from the Expertise Center for Veterinary Genetics also want to add the Belgian Shepherd to Fit2Breed, a platform that allows breeders to screen dogs for the genetic combinations that offer the best chance of healthy puppies: who matches with whom? A kind of dating app for dogs. Funding is still being sought to make this possible for the Belgian Shepherd.

Call for Belgian Shepherds with Stomach Issues

Gastric cancer is often detected late, making treatment difficult. There is a high risk that the dog will die soon after detection. Owners who suspect their Belgian Shepherd has stomach issues are urged to contact the veterinary researchers of this project, Dr. Paul Mandigers at p.j.j.mandigers@uu.nl or Drs. Sanne Hugen at ecgg@uu.nl.

These important steps towards greater health and well-being for animals are not possible without the involvement and support of the partners and donors of Vrienden Diergeneeskunde! Do you want to make a difference and strive with us for a future without hereditary diseases? Then we invite you to support the project "Towards the next step against gastric carcinomas in the Belgian Shepherd"!