The Animal Health Trust have recently won funding from the Kennel Club's
charitable trust for the first stage investigation to identify the inherited
genetic defects that increase the susceptibility of Boxers (amongst also Goldies
and Labradors) developing mast cell tumours.
This study begins on January 1st 2010.

Mike Starkey at the AHT has asked the British Boxer Club for it's help.
He needs to source additional samples for this investigation.
At this moment in time they have samples from 56 Boxers affected with Mast Cell
Tumours and a larger number of samples from Boxers that aren't affected by
cancer.

He needs additional samples from Boxers with mast cell tumours especially from
dogs that have grade III (3/High grade) mast cell tumours.
These MCT's have a 90% chance of spreading (metastasising).

Hopefully if they are able to collect enough samples from Boxers that have MCT's
especially the high grade ones it will help them to try to indentify the genetic
defect that causes the breed to develop MCT.

If you have dogs that do have MCT's and think you can help.
Please get incontact with the breed club's secretary Marion Seeney
her email address is marionseeney@aol.com
It may well be worth putting Mast Cell Tumour Research in the title line of your
email.

You can say you found out via me re this if you want
Kirstine Betts (Trumist), she knows me from showing.

I have already helped with this research as sadly Abby had grade II (2) mast
cell tumours this year. We had already given DNA samples (blood sample) at the
British Boxer Club's Ch show many years ago. This was before Abby went on to develop
MCT, with one of my own vets (who specialism is oncology) we sent all the info
off to Mike Starkey to keep his research upto date.

If it follows the same as it did all those years ago, they need DNA sample (they
preferred blood), a copy of your dogs pedigree if you have it. Any results from
the lab's or your vet. Plus your permission to use the info in their research
and your permission to speak to your vet if needed.

Thanks so much if any of you can help the Animal Health Trust with this
research.
Health issues are really close to my heart and if we can all help our breed by
donating samples/info you never know we can leave a good legacy for the breed in
the years to come.

Even if your Boxer isn't affected it may well be worth passing this information
to your own vet as they may have clients on their books with Boxers that have or
are recently diagnosed with MCT's.

Apologies in advance if you've already received this info.

Kindest Regards
Kirstine