We are currently focusing in particular on arrhythmia in Leonbergers and its genetics.
You can explore our current projects here!
How to Participate
Sudden Cardiac Death in Leonberger Dogs - research project
DNA samples (blood samples)
Litter sampling: We recommend collecting a DNA sample from every litter. The sample can be collected by the breeder before the puppies are rehomed, or by the new owner during the puppy’s vaccination visit. Please ask your local veterinary clinic about DNA sampling.
Other Leonberger dogs of any age: A DNA sample can be collected during a veterinary visit. Please ask your local veterinary clinic about DNA sampling.
Instructions to sample collection can be found from here.
If you have already donated a sample, please update your dogs information with the Health information update form.
Holter examinations:
Littermates and parents of a Leonberger that died suddenly: Contact us lgl-kyselyt@helsinki.fi, the research group will provide guidance on further examinations.
Holter examinations for all Leonbergers under 3 years of age: The research group recommends privately funded Holter examinations to rule out cardiac arrhythmias. The results can be sent to: lgl-kyselyt@helsinki.fi
Other examinations:
Sudden death of a Leonberger under 3 years of age: Please contact the research group immediately at lgl-kyselyt@helsinki.fi or by phone at 050 416 0508 or 029 412 5602.
Outside office hours: Please send the dog’s and owner’s details immediately to lgl-kyselyt@helsinki.fi.
ubmit the suddenly deceased Leonberger under 3 years of age to the Finnish Food Authority. kylmiöön.
If a Holter-examined Leonberger (whether healthy or affected by heart disease) dies or is euthanized, please contact us immediately at lgl-kyselyt@helsinki.fi.
Contact Persons
Heidi Peltonen, heidi.peltonen@helsinki.fi, (on parental leave)
Marjo Hytönen, marjo.hytonen@helsinki.fi, p. 029 4125779
Inherited heart diseases
The most common heart diseases in dogs are various valvular heart diseases and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). These conditions may be caused by developmental abnormalities as well as hereditary factors. They are structural heart diseases that can also present with arrhythmias.
Less common heart diseases include non-structural cardiac disorders, such as ion channel diseases. These conditions most often present as arrhythmias and an increased risk of sudden death. A hereditary factor is often involved in these diseases as well.
All heart diseases can lead to sudden death in dogs or present with symptoms such as arrhythmias. Most commonly, the investigation of heart disease begins with an evaluation of cardiac structure (echocardiography) and a resting ECG. However, in the study of non-structural arrhythmias, these standard diagnostic methods are often not sufficient to detect the disease, and additional examinations such as Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG recording) are required.
Our research group has previously identified risk gene regions associated with dilated cardiomyopathy that help assess an individual’s risk of developing the disease.
Sudden deaths in Leonbergers
In our previous research, we identified an arrhythmia disorder in young Leonbergers that resembles a non-structural ion channel disease in its clinical presentation. The disease manifests as arrhythmias and, in the most severe cases, sudden death of the dog.
We are currently continuing research on the clinical presentation and genetic background of arrhythmia in Leonbergers.
Heart diseases in other breeds
Arrhythmia disorders occur in several breeds. We are particularly interested in arrhythmias in dogs under 3 years of age that are not associated with structural heart abnormalities.
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Publications
Identification of novel genetic risk factors of dilated cardiomyopathy: from canine to human. Niskanen JE, Ohlsson Å, Ljungvall I, Drögemüller M, Ernst RF, Dooijes D, van Deutekom HWM, van Tintelen JP, Snijders Blok CJB, van Vugt M, van Setten J, Asselbergs FW, Petrič AD, Salonen M, Hundi S, Hörtenhuber M; DoGA consortium; Kere J, Pyle WG, Donner J, Postma AV, Leeb T, Andersson G, Hytönen MK, Häggström J, Wiberg M, Friederich J, Eberhard J, Harakalova M, van Steenbeek FG, Wess G, Lohi H. Genome Med. 2023 Sep 18;15(1):73.
Ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in young Leonbergers. Wiberg M, Niskanen JE, Hytönen M, Dillard K, Hagner K, Anttila M, Lohi H. J Vet Cardiol. 2020 Feb;27:10-22.
