NC State opens Sheltie genetics study on gallbladder mucocele

North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has opened enrollment for a genetics study aimed at identifying the underlying cause of gallbladder mucocele formation in Shetland Sheepdogs. The study, led by internist Jody Gookin, began enrolling on April 22, 2026, and will run through March 1, 2027. Eligible dogs include Shetland Sheepdogs with a diagnosed mucocele or prior mucocele surgery, as well as Shelties age 10 years or older that can be screened by ultrasound at NC State at no charge. Researchers will collect a one-time DNA sample by blood or cheek swab and basic clinical information. (cvm.ncsu.edu)

Why it matters: Gallbladder mucocele is a serious biliary disease in dogs that can progress to obstruction, rupture, bile peritonitis, and critical illness, and Shetland Sheepdogs are among the breeds with increased risk. For years, NC State researchers have been central to work on the condition, including a 2010 study linking an ABCB4 insertion mutation to mucocele formation and a 2024 paper showing that affected dogs have acquired dysfunction of CFTR-dependent ion transport despite no clear disease-causing CFTR coding mutation. This new enrollment effort suggests the field is moving beyond single-gene associations toward broader genomic investigation of why some Shelties develop the disease and others do not. (merckvetmanual.com)

What to watch: Watch for whether this study yields a more actionable genetic risk profile for Shetland Sheepdogs, or helps clarify how genetics, lipid metabolism, endocrine disease, and gallbladder dysfunction intersect in clinical cases. (akc.org)