My name is Kristi Aybar, and I am helping Dr. Simon Petersen- Jones coordinate the study “Eradication of Ocular Melanosis (OM) in Cairn Terriers” at Michigan State University.
We are contacting you because we would like to expand our database. To do that, we need to obtain DNA samples from older Cairn Terriers who have not yet contributed samples for our study, and that are unaffected with Ocular Melanosis. We have made significant progress with this project, and having DNA samples from unaffected dogs is critically important for comparison to the dogs that are affected with the disease. We need to obtain samples from dogs that are at least 10 years of age (preferably over 12 years old). We also need to be sure that dogs are not showing early signs of Ocular Melanosis – so having a current (within the last year) eye examination or CERF examination is also important. We would be happy to examine any dogs that are within driving distance of Michigan State University at no cost unless a CERF was required.
The DNA we are requesting is obtained from cheek swab brushings that can be collected at home. If you or someone you know has a Cairn Terrier that fits these criteria, please let us know and we can send out a cheek swab collection kit that will have the brushes, collection instructions, submission forms and return envelope.
I have listed my contact information below and would greatly appreciate you contacting me for additional information or for any questions you may have. We want to thank you for your consideration of this request. Please take the time to read the attached file, as it contains information about Ocular Melanosis and the aim of our studies. We hope that through our collaborative efforts we can make a positive impact on the health of Cairn Terriers in the future.
Kristi Aybar B.S. LVT
RATTS - Research and Teaching Technical Support
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Michigan State University.
eyeresearch@cvm.msu.edu
(517)432-9902- office
(517)432-9904- fax
