Health Resources

Below you'll find a large selection of articles, online resources, and books that can provide guidance on specific areas of interest. To read the answers to frequently asked questions regarding general health issues for the Chinook breed, please refer to the Health FAQ page.

The University of Missouri has recently begun the DNA analysis phase for the Chinook Epilepsy Project, and they are in need of updating the information on the dogs involved in the study. Since the DNA collection began several years ago, they are having trouble reaching people at the email addresses and phone numbers they previously provided. Please send updated email addresses and/or phone numbers to either Dr. Rebecca Packer (packerr@missouri.edu) or Liz Hansen (hansenl@missouri.edu), or call Dr. Packer at (573) 882-7821.

The Canine Epilepsy Project
A brief article describing a research project being conducted by the Canine Epilepsy Research Consortium to collect data and evaluate genetic inheritance of canine seizures. The article also contains answers to common questions about participation in this important study for our breed.

Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis is a deadly tick-transmitted disease claiming the lives of dogs in all 50 states. Ehrlichiosis mimics a great many other diseases tending to confuse and diagnose treatment.

Bug Repellents
A review of flea, tick and mosquito repellent products.

Cataracts
An introduction to cataracts and cataract treatments for dogs.

Canine First Aid Kit
Being prepared with a Canine First Aid Kit may help you to help your canine companion through minor bumps and bruises and more serious illness or injury, giving you the precious extra time you may need to reach adequate veterinary care

Be Your Dog's Advocate
Please be your dog's best advocate. Here is a list of some of the things that are important to consider when your dog goes to the Vet.

The above articles were published in the Chinook Quarterly (CQ), the official newsletter of the COA.

Health and Registry

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
The OFA is a not-for-profit organization that assists breeders in assessing various disorders including hip dysplasia, congenital heart disease, elbow and patella deformities, and autoimmune thyroiditis. OFA also supports the genetic research being conducted at the Universities of Missouri, Michigan and Michigan State. Search the OFA genetic online database, download reports, and request OFA forms. The OFA website offers a dog search by Chinook and Chinook Hybrid, and a quarterly report by breed.

Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals created the CAER "to provide breeders with information regarding canine eye diseases so that they may make informed breeding decisions in an effort to produce healthier dogs". The OFA website includes information on eye diseases, their genetic inheritance, and information on registration procedures to have your dog's eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist. You can also search for CAER certified dogs, including Chinooks who have had certifications.

PennHip
This is the official website for PennHip, developed by the University of Pennsylvania several years ago as a new approach to hip scoring and evaluation of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). This site provides detailed information about CHD, including sample radiographs, and discusses in detail the PennHip method of hip scoring and evaluation, with a FAQ section on PennHip and CHD.

Veterinary

Merck Manual Online
The Merck manual, the mainstay reference manual of the veterinary profession, is now available on the web. The Merck Manual Online is referred to as "the single most comprehensive electronic reference for animal care information" and offers "rapid search by topic, species, specialty, disease, and keywords."

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
This website offers a listing of AAHA vet hospitals, a FAQ look-up with info on behavior, general health, diseases, general topics, a pet care library, and much, much more!

American Canine Sports Medicine Association (ACSMA)
ACSMA's stated goal is "to improve the health and functional longevity of the athletic and working dogs and to disseminate pertinent information toward the well being of such animals." Their website includes a discussion board and "Canine Sports Medicine Tidbits" with articles related to "working breed information, performance physiology, applicable surgical procedures, nutrition of the athletic breeds, and training philosophies". For those Chinook owners working their dogs in agility, herding, sledding venues and more, this site is a must visit!

Canine Epilepsy Network (CEN)
CEN is the premier veterinary resource for owners, breeders, veterinarians and researchers interested in learning about canine epilepsy. The CEN site includes info on epilepsy basics, the ongoing genetic studies into canine epilepsy, and how to participate in the genetic research. On this site, there is an article by University of Missouri neurologist Dennis O'Brien titled "Chinook 'Seizures': What are they and what can we do about them?" with a photo link to a web video of McKayla, a six year old Chinook girl with this disorder. The CEN discussion forum is hosted by the CEN research group and is a place for owners to ask questions directly to the geneticists, neurologists, and the research team working on the epilepsy research.

Veterinary Neurological Center
If you've seen McKayla's video, and read Dr. O'Brien's Chinook "seizure" article, this is the website to visit to learn more about movement disorders.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Information on veterinary medicine, pet care, poisonous plants, zoonosis, news, and resources.

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Locate veterinary specialists in fields such as neurology, cardiology and oncology near you.

Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS)
Numerous links and information about canine cancers.

General

The Whole Dog Journal
The Whole Dog Journal is a monthly guide to natural care and dog training, available both online and by mail. Articles cover a range of topics including nutrition, dog foods and supplements, training and instruction, homeopathy, alternative and conventional therapies and treatments, and important health and training topics facing today's canine.

Dogwise
Dogwise states that they maintain "the largest assortment of books on dogs in one location in the world." Their inventory includes popular and hard to find books on subjects such as health and nutrition, breeding and genetics, puppy training, behavior and behavior problems, clicker training, showing, agility, and various encyclopedias on dogs and breeds. Discounts are offered to members of various organizations. If you're looking for reading on canine health or other doggie related topics, this is the place to find it!

Working Dog Web
Information on working dog nutrition, health and breeding.

Ohio State University Nutrition Support Service
Pet nutrition pages for all stages of life. Comparisons of many dog foods and diet therapy for many disorders.

Alternative Medicine

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA)
Information on holistic veterinary medicine: acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutritional therapy and other alternative modalities.

Dental Care

All Pets Dental Care
Information on dental care for your pet including general dental care, periodontal treatment information and orthodontics.

The books below have been recommended from current and past members and are meant to be a starting place for readers. The COA itself does not directly endorse any books on this page.

Breeding

Healthcare

Nutrition