West Trenton Animal Hospital to host over 100 dogs to find a DNA marker for Cataracts March 9

EWING, N.J. - Feb. 26, 2014 - PRLog -- West Trenton, NJ - Over 100 Cocker Spaniels, young and old, from all along the East Coast, the Midwest, South, and New England will once again descend upon the West Trenton Animal Hospital, 568 Grand Ave., West Trenton, NJ, on Sunday, March 9, from 10am to 4pm for eye exams and DNA blood draw with Dr Gustavo Aguirre, VMD, PhD, PhD (hc), as well as ice cream, prizes, and fun, in hopes of finding a DNA marker for cataracts according to Cocker Spaniel Club of New Jersey “Fun Day” Eye Clinic Coordinator Debi Lampert-Rudman of Pennington, NJ

Dr Gustavo Aguirre,  world-renowned veterinary ophthalmologist and gene-therapy researcher at the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania will be conducting the eye exams followed by DNA blood draws conducted by the West Trenton Animal Hospital http://www.westtrentonanimalhosp.com/ veterinarians and vet techs led by Dr. John J. Kazmierczak, DVM and West Trenton Animal Hospital Manager Christine Rachwal.

Dr Aguirre’s study focuses on inherited diseases of the eye, in dogs, humans, and other mammals. In 2001, Dr Aguirre, his colleagues and researchers at Penn were the first to restore vision in blind dogs using gene therapy.

 “We are so grateful to West Trenton Animal Hospital for once again generously donating their facility and staff for this special day,” Ms. Lampert-Rudman continued.  "Last April we held our first Eye/DNA clinic gathering samples for Dr. Aguirre's research.  This year, we hope to have enough samples that the research can commence.  We have also opened the clinic to include any local dogs, of any breed, who wish to participate and have their eyes examined by Dr. Aguirre."

Various donors, including Angel Paws Pet Parlor of Hopewell, NJ and breeder and professional handler Marlene Ness of Connecticut and othersand hourly raffles including a $100 gas card generously donated by American Spaniel Club member Elena Duggan of Virginia.

"We wanted to make this a fun event for several reasons - it is a great distance to travel for many Cocker Spaniel breeders who want to participate to end this problem in our breed - and in turn, help humankind through Dr Aguirre's research.  So, we have the ice cream and the raffles and kept costs low. Responsible breeders look for ways to improve the health of their breed with each litter, so that pets will live long, healthy and happy lives."

Many complete families of dogs will be attending because breeders keep in touch with their pet families.  In this way, the DNA marker research is aided by the 5 generation pedigrees that each dog will have with him.

For more details email Debi Lampert-Rudman at Bonbritany@aol.com or call 609-303-0282 (H) or 908-337-9189 (C)

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More About Dr Aguirre: http://www.vet.upenn.edu/PennVet/News/PennVetintheNews/ta...

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