AN 11.4 - Morris Animal Foundation

v o lu m e
A
H E A L T H I E R
T O M O R R O W
IN THIS ISSUE
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
F O R
A N I M A L S®
11.4
IN THIS ISSUE
11.4
0 1 Helping pets age gracefully
09Where the money goes
03 Novel cancer treatment
reduces side effects and cost
10 Lamplighter Society
04Sounding off about oral cancer
05 Unraveling the mysteries of aging in horses
12 Your donations at work
14 In loving memory
06 Keeping aging dogs healthy in twilight years
16 Going corporate but
maintaining personality
08 How aging prompts kidney disease
17 Monthly gifts add up
09 Animal health—a gift for all seasons
DEA R FRIEN DS,
OUR MISSION
Morris Animal Foundation
improves the health and
well-being of companion
animals and wildlife by
funding humane health
studies and disseminating
information about
these studies.
Often when we reach the season when one year
comes to a close and another begins, we enter a
period of healthy reflection. The same seems to happen
as we approach milestone dates, such as birthdays
or anniversaries. For animal lovers, that pause for
reflection may also occur the first time we notice the
gray in a formerly chocolate brown muzzle or a previously undetected stiffness in our
pet’s gait as she jumps off the couch, and we realize suddenly that the puppy or kitten
we’ve shared our space with for so many years is getting old.
Age has a way of creeping up on us—and our pets. I can’t speak for everyone, but
one of my personal aspirations is to grow old as gracefully as have the animals I’ve
shared my life with. At Morris Animal Foundation, our goal is to fund the science
that helps animals enjoy longer, healthier lives. That includes ensuring that senior
pets are able to age as healthfully and free of pain as possible and that pet owners and
veterinarians have the necessary tools to help animals maintain the highest quality of
life as they grow older.
During this natural year-end time of reflection, it seems fitting to focus on the
health needs of our older pets, and this issue of AnimalNews does just that. We share
information about the health problems pets face as they age and what is being done to
treat the inevitable health conditions that arise.
AnimalNews
Volume 11 Issue 4
November 2011
It is thanks to you—passionate, caring animal lovers—that we are able to fund studies
like those described in this issue. Morris Animal Foundation is the largest organization
in this country that provides funding for humane, scientific studies to learn more about
ways to improve animal health, and we can’t do that without your help. We recognize
that you have many laudable organizations to donate to and that in times of continued
economic uncertainty your choices get tougher. On behalf of everyone at Morris
Animal Foundation, I thank you for choosing us and our mission to create a healthier
tomorrow for animals.
Kind regards,
AnimalNews is published four times a
year by Morris Animal Foundation.
10200 East Girard Avenue
Suite B430
Denver, Colorado 80231
TOLL-FREE 800.243.2345 P 303.790.2345
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
David Haworth, DVM, PhD
President/CEO
P.S. Want more info about animal health advances? Sign up for eNews at
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/morrisanimal.
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
Helping pets age gracefully
Photo courtesy of Ashley Seymour
BY HEIDI JETER
Wagley about one
year ago on a hike
in Colorado.
scientists keep animals pain free
and healthy into their golden years
Wagley, a lovable 14-year-old Beagle, has suffered from
periodic bouts of back pain, a problem common in dogs with
long backs, since she was about 3 years old. Fortunately,
her owners, Ashley and Michael Seymour, were always
able to control her pain with short-term medication. They
also managed the condition through committing to routine
veterinary care, keeping her weight low, limiting her stair
climbing and never allowing her to jump off furniture. About
a year ago, though, Wagley’s pain seemed constant.
“As she’s aged, we’ve seen the degeneration of her back
and spine increase,” Ashley says. “Now her pain seems to
be chronic.”
With the pain came behavioral changes, such as excessive
barking and growling, which put a strain on the Seymours’
bond with their dog. The Seymours sought permanent pain
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
medication, but when test results revealed that Wagley was
in the early stages of liver failure, they were reluctant. Daily
medication would likely accelerate the liver failure and damage
their beloved dog’s kidneys. As Wagley’s situation worsened,
though, the Seymours realized that her behavior was a cry for
help they needed to answer.
“No one was enjoying each other any more. ‘Pack Seymour,’ as
we called it, started disintegrating,” Ashley says. “We realized
it was our responsibility to put her on pain medication, even
though we knew that it was going to limit her time with us.”
Shortly after going on a low-dose pain medication, Wagley’s
grumpiness disappeared, and she even started exhibiting
playful behaviors the family hadn’t seen in years. The Seymours
have accepted that Wagley’s time with them may be shortened,
but they don’t regret their decision to improve the quality of the
time she has left. Pack Seymour, which includes two senior cats
as well, is happy again.
Continued on page 2
1
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
H elpin g pets age gra cefully, C ON T.
studies work to provide pain
management options
research addresses top health
concerns for older pets
As more pets live longer, many pet owners are facing similar
decisions. Chronic pain usually develops slowly, so it can go
unnoticed. Owners may attribute behavioral changes to the
aging process rather than to the real culprit: pain or illness.
Often pain is linked to age-related disorders such as arthritis,
cancer and bone disease.
Pain management is just one issue pet owners face as their
pets age. Thanks to better prevention and treatment options,
pets are living longer than ever before. As they age, though,
cats and dogs develop many of the same health conditions
that aging humans do. Top offenders include obesity, cancer,
arthritis, heart disease, thyroid disease, kidney failure,
depression and senility.
In the case of animals, it can be difficult to know with certainty
how much pain the animal is experiencing. And untreated pain
can lead to longer illnesses and in some cases can contribute
to an animal’s death. Effective pain management can improve
quality of life for animals in their twilight years.
Morris Animal Foundation has funded many studies to
improve pain management options for animals. More advances
are needed, however, which is why the Foundation is currently
funding a number of studies in this area.
With Foundation funding, scientists at the University
of Montreal and at North Carolina State University
are developing better tools for identifying when a cat is
experiencing arthritis-related pain. An estimated 45 percent
of cats suffer from arthritis pain, but there are few proven
therapies, in part because it is difficult to assess when a cat has
chronic joint pain. These tools will help veterinarians better
manage pain in cats with arthritis and will help in testing new
treatments that could improve quality of life.
Additional research, led by Dr. Kristen M. Messenger at North
Carolina State University, is examining why some animals
respond to pain drugs and others do not and why adverse
effects and exaggerated responses occur in some animals but
not others. Her findings will help veterinarians better manage
pain in pets.
In other studies, scientists are looking at improving pain
management therapies for animals that have surgery—an
important area of study given that older animals may require
surgery or other treatments that could cause pain.
2
Morris Animal Foundation is funding research into many of
these areas. For example, cancer is the no. 1 health concern for
dogs over the age of 2. With Foundation funding, Dr. Barbara
Biller, of Colorado State University, recently evaluated a new
way of administering chemotherapy for dogs with soft-tissue
sarcomas. Read more about this study on page 3.
Cats also have high rates of cancer, and oral cancer becomes
more common as a cat ages. Multiple studies are looking at
drugs to treat this debilitating and aggressive disease. Read
more on page 4.
All too often, metabolic and endocrine system disorders cause
sudden declines in health for cats and dogs. Foundation-funded
studies are studying Cushing’s disease in dogs and horses and
chronic kidney disease in cats. Read more about these studies on
pages 5-8.
Studies like these help ensure that the pets we love are pain
free and maintain a high quality of life for as long as they are
with us. After all, we aren’t just searching for longer lives—we
want them to be healthier lives, too. Perhaps Ashley put it best:
“We know our pets’ time with us is limited, so why not make
it good?” D
You can help
Your year-end donation helps us fund important
studies to help pets at any age.
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
Novel cancer treatment
reduces side effects and cost
B Y A l l is o n T o nini
Painful images of hair loss, long hospital visits, fatigue and
sickness are immediately associated with the common cancer
treatments, which is why some pet owners are reluctant to seek
therapy for their animals. Although aggressive chemotherapy
can cause serious health issues in humans, the same is generally
not true for animals.
Metronomic chemotherapy, however, approaches cancer cells
with caution. Instead of killing all fast-growing cells, the drugs
cut off the blood supply to the cells that feed the cancerous
tumor. Healthy cells are left unharmed, and without a steady
blood supply, the tumor cannot grow.
Metronomic chemotherapy does not rid the body of cancer, but
it does keep the tumor from growing and spreading. Although
it is not ideal for all cases, Dr. Biller confirmed that metronomic
chemotherapy can be a very attractive treatment option for
dogs with cancer. With little to no side effects, metronomic
chemotherapy is also less expensive and easier for a veterinarian
to administer.
During the study, it was Dr. Biller’s mission to learn more
specifics on how to treat dogs using metronomic chemotherapy.
“Even though veterinarians have been using metronomic
chemotherapy on patients, we have been guessing on important
factors like what drugs we should use, what dose is needed
and at what intervals we should treat the patient. We hope to
determine some of those factors,” Dr. Biller says.
Scientific studies have shown that dogs and cats react differently
to chemotherapy than their human counterparts do. In fact,
most of our furry friends don’t experience significant negative
side effects. Still, there’s always room for improvement, and one
researcher hard at work on advancing canine chemotherapy is
Dr. Barbara Biller of Colorado State University.
Dr. Biller recently completed a study, funded by Morris Animal
Foundation, in which she evaluated a new way of administering
chemotherapy to dogs with soft-tissue sarcoma. Instead of using
conventional chemotherapy, which entails administering large
doses of drugs every few weeks, Dr. Biller used a novel method
called metronomic chemotherapy. Metronomic chemotherapy
involves frequent, low-level doses of drugs.
Most chemotherapy drugs target and kill any fast-growing cells
in the body, including hair follicles, intestinal cells and white
blood cells. The rapid loss of these healthy cells results in the
health issues that give chemotherapy a bad reputation.
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
Dr. Biller explains that the next step is to zero in with finer
precision on factors such as how to combine multiple drugs to
achieve the desired results.
Even though there is still a lot to explore with metronomic
cancer therapy, Dr. Biller remains hopeful, stating, “this study
was definitely a step in the right direction.” D
A new way
of giving
chemotherapy
stops tumors—
not dogs—
in their tracks.
3
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
Sounding off about oral cancer
B Y A l l is o n T o nini
research looks into treatments
to help beat this painful disease
Oral cancer is a devastating disease of cats that becomes more
common as a cat ages. Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma
(OSCC), the most common oral tumor diagnosed in cats, is
particularly serious because it is generally recognized too late for
it to respond to treatment. The rapid progression of the tumor
can be debilitating—preventing a cat from eating, chewing,
swallowing, grooming and even breathing. Even with aggressive
treatment, OSCC has a grave prognosis.
Currently, four Morris Animal Foundation–funded researchers
are investigating OSCC. These researchers hope to develop
novel methods to advance oral cancer treatment in cats.
In one study, Dr. Susan M. LaRue, of Colorado State University,
is testing the use of stereotactic radiation therapy, a new
radiation therapy that involves giving patients higher doses
of radiation over a shorter amount of time than traditional
treatment. This more targeted treatment limits the dose of
radiation to the tissue structures, producing fewer side effects
and thereby improving a cat’s quality of life during treatment.
Dr. Elizabeth A. McNiel and Dr. Kevin Mayo, of Tufts
University, are exploring a new treatment method that they
hope will restrict a tumor’s blood supply. Because blood flow
and the ability to create new blood vessels are necessary to
sustain the growth of a cancerous tumor, preventing a tumor
from establishing blood vessels and destroying blood vessels that
already exist could be effective in treating OSCC. To do so, Dr.
Mayo has created a small protein that disrupts the endothelial
cells that form blood vessels, and the team is now evaluating
its effectiveness in preventing growth of tumor blood vessels.
If effective, this protein could lead to better treatment for this
often fatal cancer.
Researchers from the Ohio State University, led by Dr. William
C. Kisseberth, recently investigated a new class of anticancer
drugs, called histone deacetylase inhibitors, as treatment for
OSCC. These drugs have been found to inhibit tumor growth
in humans and mice, and this study indicates that they have
4
anticancer potential in cats, too. Although the drug has proven
its efficacy, more clinical trials must be completed before it can
be used in veterinary practice.
In another study out of the Ohio State University, fellow
Dr. Smitha Pillai and mentor Dr. Thomas Rosol studied
treatment options that prevent bone destruction. Bone loss
from OSCC is directly associated with tooth loss, bone infection
and immense pain, all of which negatively affect a cat’s quality
of life. Their findings provide scientific evidence that combining
bone resorption inhibitors with an antineosplastic drug shows
promise for treating bone-invasive OSCC. The information will
help in designing future clinical trials for cats suffering from
this disease and will help veterinarians make treatment decisions
based on scientific evidence rather than anecdotal outcomes.
Studies like these will keep cats meowing longer.
Learn more
Help cats live longer, healthier lives
at www.Research4Cats.org.
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
Unraveling the mysteries
of aging in horses
B Y A l e x J i m ene z
Most scientific research is prompted by the search for tangible
answers to some of life’s most fundamental questions. Where
did we come from? Why do we look, feel and act the way we
do? In some underlying form, the drive to understand these
concepts is at the heart of scientific progress.
Yet, few questions remain as elusive as those surrounding
the biological mystery of aging. Human medicine has been
attempting to understand—and halt—this process for
centuries. Given that aging inevitably brings a slew of health
problems, it’s only fitting that scientists would turn their
microscopes toward this phenomenon to understand how it
works. Although many scientists study aging to advance the
health and well-being of humans, Morris Animal Foundation
is committed to helping scientists use these same principles to
help animals.
In one such Morris Animal Foundation–funded study at the
University of Kentucky, principal investigator Dr. Kristine
Urschel is working to understand why old age leads to the loss
of muscle mass in horses. Under the guidance of her mentor,
Dr. David Horohov, Dr. Urschel’s research could provide
support for aging horses in several ways.
“This research could help extend the life expectancy of older
horses and also help owners and stakeholders to better care for
their aging equines,” Dr. Urschel says.
The team’s research focuses on how other age-related and
geriatric diseases might affect protein metabolism. Specifically,
the study is first testing to see how levels of inflammation
common in older horses are related to protein synthesis.
Second, the study is looking at how the age-related disease
known as Cushing’s disease may also affect protein synthesis.
Although the study is still a year from completion, results
look promising. Many of the techniques being used in this
study have been extensively applied in human studies, but
never before with horses. Moreover, the study is examining
how protein synthesis is affected by age-related factors at the
whole-body, muscular and molecular levels. As a result, new
treatments based on significant findings in this study can be
applied in various ways, including the development of dietary
strategies and disease-specific treatments.
Through the continued support of studies such as this one,
the mystery of aging will become less elusive and one day
will open its secrets to the world of medicine for both humans
and animals.
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
5
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
Keeping aging dogs
healthy in twilight years
B Y A l l is o n T o nini
research corrects metabolic issues
Dogs, like people, begin to experience health problems as they
age. Diagnosing these geriatric illnesses can be challenging.
All too often, metabolic and endocrine system disorders are the
silent factors leading to a senior dog’s sudden decline in health.
Although it is normal for aging dogs to experience
fluctuations in their production of hormones and enzymes,
extremely high or low levels of a hormone affect glandular
function and can progress into full-blown metabolic or
endocrine system disorders.
too much of a good thing
One of the most prevalent endocrine system disorders in
senior dogs is Cushing’s disease, a condition in which the
pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH). Too much ACTH leads the adrenal glands to
overproduce corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are important for
maintaining proper function of the kidneys, cardiovascular
system and nervous system and maintaining appropriate blood
sugar levels and fat metabolism. They also manage stress,
immune response and inflammatory responses. But too much
corticosteroid can lead to weight gain, overheating, hair loss,
lethargy and excessive drinking and urinating.
About 85 to 90 percent of Cushing’s cases are caused by an
abnormality, such as a benign tumor, in the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland produces corticotropin, which controls
the secretion of hormones in the adrenal glands. When the
pituitary gland produces too much corticotropin, the adrenal
glands follow suit and overproduce corticosteroids.
Owners often mistake the signs of Cushing’s for early senility.
If left untreated, Cushing’s disease can lead to more serious
consequences, including diabetes, enlarged liver, pancreatitis,
weakening of the heart, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, skin
infections and nervous system problems. Although all dogs
are susceptible, the disease is usually seen in certain breeds,
including Poodles, Dachshunds, Boston Terriers, Beagles,
Schnauzers and Boxers.
Morris Animal Foundation is currently funding two studies on
Cushing’s disease. In one study, lead researcher Dr. Ellen N.
Behrend, of Auburn University, is working to find out if a new
diagnostic test that measures the sex hormone concentration in
a dog’s blood is an accurate indicator of Cushing’s disease. Dr.
Behrend’s hypothesis is that increased sex hormone levels can’t
always accurately predict disease and that, as a result, Cushing’s
disease is significantly overdiagnosed. She and her team
hope to improve the diagnostic accuracy of Cushing’s disease
through their research.
In a Pfizer Animal Health–Morris Animal Foundation
Fellowship, Dr. Miriam J. Kool, of the University of Utrecht
in the Netherlands, is studying adrenocortical tumors in hopes
of finding a better understanding of how Cushing’s disease
develops. Knowing how the disease begins and matures will
ultimately help researchers develop new treatment methods for
dogs with adrenal tumors.
6
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
preventive care can lead
to early diagnosis
a deficiency that causes disease
On the flip side of Cushing’s is Addison’s disease, the common
name for adrenocortical insufficiency. Whereas Cushing’s
disease is characterized by the production of too much
corticosteroid, with Addison’s disease the body produces too
little. Though the disease is relatively uncommon in dogs,
certain breeds, including Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers,
Bearded Collies, Great Danes, Leonbergers, Portuguese Water
Dogs, Standard Poodles and West Highland White Terriers,
have a much higher risk.
Recently, Dr. Angela M. Hughes and her team from the
University of California–Davis identified a region of the
genome that is associated with the development of Addison’s
disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Although
additional genes are likely involved, Dr. Hughes’s study is the
first step toward one day developing a genetic test that will
eliminate Addison’s disease through more informed
breeding practices.
Aging dogs can also develop serious illnesses, and some
critically ill patients appear to have low levels of ACTH and
cortisol hormone. A lack of these hormones, which help the
body fight the illness, can lead to higher death rates. With
Foundation funding, Auburn University’s Dr. Linda Martin
is working on a test that would help veterinarians detect low
hormone levels in critically ill dogs so that they could be treated
more effectively.
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
One of the most important things that a dog owner can do is
practice preventive health care. Most metabolic and endocrine
system disorders are manageable, so the earlier the symptoms
are noticed, the easier the disease is to treat. Because of old
age and increased vulnerability to disease, senior dogs need
one or more routine veterinary exams per year. As a dog ages,
a veterinarian visit will likely consist of a few additional tests
and a more thorough checkup, compared with the visits from
the dog’s younger years. Another preventive health care step for
owners of senior dogs is to carefully monitor the dog’s everyday
behavior for changes, which can signify a health problem.
Vigilant owner care and research into new treatments
can keep aging dogs comfortable and happy during their
twilight years. D
Symptoms of
Cushing’s Disease
• Increased thirst and urination
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Lowered immune system
• Lethargy
• High blood pressure
• Heavy panting
• Potbelly caused by enlarged liver
• Muscle loss
7
Special Report: Aged to Perfection
How aging prompts kidney disease
B Y A m y E ttin g er
Millions of older cats are affected by chronic kidney disease.
The disease is costly, affects quality of life and has few treatment
options. In addition, the disease is often not diagnosed until the
late stages, once 75 percent of kidney function is already lost.
Researchers at Colorado State University are investigating
why kidney disease affects senior cats and are exploring the
role of cell aging, known as cell senescence. With Morris
Animal Foundation funding, the scientists are studying cells
to determine whether cats with kidney disease have shortened
telomeres, which are the specialized protective structures located
at the ends of chromosomes. During normal cell division,
telomeres gradually shorten and eventually become too short
to protect the chromosome, which then signals the cell to
stop dividing.
In humans, shortened telomeres and cell senescence have
been associated with kidney disease and injury, says Dr. Jessica
Quimby, a veterinary internal medicine specialist at Colorado
State University who received a fellowship from the Foundation
to study telomeres in cats. If a similar correlation were found in
cats, it might help explain why the disease is so common in
older cats.
During the study, researchers gathered cell samples from cats
with kidney disease, older cats without kidney disease and
healthy, young cats. The scientists are analyzing the cells to
see whether cats with kidney disease show signs of shortened
telomeres and cell senescence. If so, the findings may lead to the
development of drugs that could turn back some of the signs of
aging, Dr. Quimby says.
But she adds that researchers studying telomeres need to be
cautious and must fully understand the science because longer
telomeres have been associated with such diseases as cancer, so
potential treatments must strike a fine balance.
Dr. Quimby and a team of researchers are also investigating
whether giving stem cells to cats can help fight chronic kidney
disease. This project, which the Foundation is also supporting,
is part of Colorado State’s feline stem-cell research project, the
only one of its kind in the country.
The researchers isolated adult stem cells from the fat tissue of
healthy, young cats and injected them into cats suffering from
kidney disease. The team found that the stem cells potentially
produce mild improvement in kidney function with minimal
side effects. This could be an important key in managing
kidney disease.
“Chronic kidney disease causes a lot of inflammation, which
leads to scarring and kidney failure,” Dr. Quimby says. “Stem
cells may help decrease the inflammation present and therefore
slow down the scarring process.”
“Stem-cell therapy isn’t going to cure kidney disease, but it can
potentially ameliorate it,” she adds.
Even without a cure, better treatments would certainly help keep
aging cats with their families just a little bit longer.
8
Festive holiday
cards are the
perfect way to
honor an animal
lover in your life.
Animal health—
a gift for all seasons
With the year coming to an end—and so many last-minute
shopping trips to be done—consider shopping from the comfort
of your home while maximizing the impact of your gift with an
end-of-the-year charitable donation. We offer a number of gift
options that also help animals enjoy longer, healthier lives.
Where the
money goes
Morris Animal Foundation continued to help
hundreds of animals in fiscal year 2011 ( July 1, 2010,
to June 30, 2011). Here are two breakdowns regarding
how your donations were spent. For more information
about the 2011 year, download our annual report at
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/2011annual.
Holiday eCards and printable cards:
Send that special someone in your life a festive holiday greeting
card—animal themed, of course—that also supports Morris
Animal Foundation’s mission to create a healthier tomorrow for
animals worldwide.
Shop smart: We offer multiple options for putting your
purchasing power to use. Shop one of our partners—all of whom
donate a percentage of their sales or proceeds to the Foundation.
Or visit the Morris Animal Foundation Marketplace, a one-stop
shop for the animal lover in your life; 20 percent of all store
proceeds go directly to Morris Animal Foundation. With any of
these shopping options, your purchase helps fund more than 300
animal health and welfare research studies each year.
Study sponsorship: Our studies have led to major
advances in veterinary care. Consider helping your favorite
animal today through a study sponsorship.
Visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org to purchase your
holiday gifts today. D
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
How money was allocated
Program
80%
Management
& General
14%
Fundraising
6%
FY11 funding by species
Dog 46%
Wildlife 21%
Cat 21%
Horse/Llama/
Alpaca 12%
9
Morris Animal Foundation proudly recognizes its
Lamplighter Society members. These donors have made
a planned gift through a will, living trust, life insurance
policy, retirement account, charitable trust or charitable
gift annuity. We, and the animals, are thankful for their
dedication to animal health and welfare for generations
to come.
Brian & Kate Abrell
Ardith Neath Adams
Gaylan & Harriet Adams
Joyce E. Adams
Christopher Adlington
David & Carolyn Alexander
April Altman & Dan Prillaman
Jeff & Evonne Anderson
Connie D. Angeleri
Gertrude B. Ansell
Richard J. Arabian
Dolores Arend
Betty Atwell
Elva J. Baeslack
Karen Bagwell
Willard & Barbara Bailey
Dale & Linda Barbee
Chuck & Gloria Barrick
Marilu Baskin
Stewart & Elizabeth Baynes
Karen Miller Becnel
Kris Bedalov
Nancy Bellavita
H. L. Bennyhoff
Erika F. Bergishagen
Elizabeth Biddick
Col. Robert & Theresa Biersack
Russell & Judith Bird
James & Debra Bliese
Janice Blumhof-Palmer
Laura & Roger Bohart
Gene & Minnie Bourque
Nancy L. Braaten
Mary A. Brady
Laura Brantley
Scott & Sadie Breor
Linda M. Burger
Alana Burkowski
Lucinda F. Burr
Jean Burt
Elizabeth A. Caldwell
Barbara Calvo
Laurie Camp
Allan Carb
Mary E. Carlson
Marilyn (Bomash) Carmichall
& Steve Carmichall
Mark & Deborah Carter
Grace Casey
Raymond & Cherie Cassel
Betty Marie Cassin
Frances G. Cazier
Paula S. Channell
Sandra Chiaramonte
Georgie A. & Tom Chivington
Nancy Kay Clark
Ron & Tamara Clements
Doris & Don Clopper
Francoise Cocquet
The Collins Family
Kris Colt
Hildegarde Compton
Jean Conway
Barbara Wood Cook
C. J. Coonfield
Patsy Corrigan
Andi Cosper
Joan K. & Richard Cowlan
Nancy Craig
Ann & Dougal Crowe
Richard & Jan Cushman
Jerome Cusker
Louise Czajkowski
Penny L. Daley
Dolly Damato
Karen S. Daniel
Alexander A. Dardas II
Deborah Davenport &
G. Martin Drey
Sherry B. Davis
Theda N. Davis
Aila G. Dawe
Michelle M. DeLisle
Iris L. Dennison
Robert & Ginger Detterman
Jim & Wendy Dickie
To learn more about becoming
a Lamplighter, contact Stacie
Kelly at 800.243.2345 or
[email protected]
10
Is your name missing or does it not
appear exactly as you would like?
Please notify us. We welcome
your comments.
Joanne & David Dickson
Steven & Catherine Diener
Sebastian & Nina DiGirolamo
Judith W. Ditfurth
Tery A. Dixon
Debra Dombrowski
Denise J. Dugan
Dave Dunnet
Georgia Dupree
Letha Ehrenfelt
Edna B. Ellingson
Lt. Col. (Ret.) William B. &
Lori A. Elmer
Jack & Sue Ane Emrek
Randy & Connie Erb
Carol & Dan Everetts
Beverly J. Ewine
Mary Ewing
Margaret H. Farley
Mitchell Field
Kim Filson
Julia Bynum Finch
Dale & Katherine Fitting
Carole L. Fitzpatrick
Bonnie M. Fleming
Howard W. Fortner Jr.
Peggy Franz
Ann M. Fritscher
Carolyn G. & Bruce C. Froh
Tara D. Froh
Dolores “Debby” Furman
Robert Gain & Alex Redman
Kathleen V. Green Gardner
Ruth & Jim Gaulke
Marc Gerber
Debra Zidich Gibbons
George & Louise Gonzalez
Dick & Jean Gordon
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Roz Grashaw
George & Donna Green
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194 additional Lamplighters have chosen to remain anonymous
Are you a Lamplighter? Please let
us know, so that we can express our
appreciation and plan for our future. We
will never publish your name without your
permission.
11
Your donations at work
Your donations truly make a difference in the lives of animals worldwide.
At any given time, Morris Animal Foundation manages about 300 active
studies. Here’s a look at some recent successes made possible through
your support.
exercise poses no GI risk
Dr. Michael Davis
Oklahoma State University
for dogs
potential prognostic
lymphoma test
Dr. Matthew Breen
North Carolina State University
Dr. Sue Lana
Colorado State University
Lymphoma accounts for nearly 25 percent
of all cancers in dogs, and some breeds are
particularly susceptible. Untreated dogs
rarely survive beyond three months after
diagnosis. Even with chemotherapy, overall
response and survival times vary widely,
indicating a need to develop more refined
modes of classification.
Studies have shown that certain
chromosome changes in humans with
lymphoma have both diagnostic and
prognostic significance. Investigators
from North Carolina State University
and Colorado State University have also
identified recurrent chromosome changes
in canine lymphoma that show prognostic
significance for dogs with this cancer. They
identified a key genetic signature of canine
lymphoma that correlates with disease-free
intervals in dogs treated with chemotherapy.
This information will provide the basis
for scientists to develop a valid prognostic
test for dogs with lymphoma that would
help owners and veterinarians make more
informed decisions about treatment.
Exercise-induced stress is a frequent cause
of gastrointestinal (GI) problems in animal
athletes. In fact, as little as a single day of
strenuous exercise can cause stomach ulcers
in racing sled dogs. Most dogs show no
outward signs of ulcers until the condition
is severe, at which point intensive care is
often needed.
Researchers examined professional
retrieving dogs before and after a
competitive retrieving trial to determine
whether they are also at risk for exerciseinduced stomach ulcers. Researchers
from Oklahoma State University found
that these dogs did not develop clinically
significant stomach ulcers or chronic
inflammatory lesions similar to those seen
in sled-racing dogs, although exercise
was associated with an increase in subtle
stomach lesions.
Determining the absence of clinical disease
is a prominent finding of this study, and
the study provides information to owners,
trainers and veterinarians of working dogs
with respect to the duration and intensity
of exercise that can be tolerated without
inducing stomach disease.
for cats & dogs
drugs that could
manage obesity
Dr. Ya-Xiong Tao
Auburn University
Obesity in cats has reached epidemic
proportions: An estimated 20 to 48 percent
of owned cats are now overweight. Obese
cats are more likely to develop health
problems, such as diabetes, skin conditions,
heart disease and severe lameness.
With a grant from Morris Animal
Foundation, researchers at Auburn
University investigated whether they could
use drugs to act on two protein molecules
in the brain, known as melanocortin-3
and melanocortin-4 receptors, that
could respectively decrease fat storage or
decrease food intake and increase energy
expenditure. They successfully identified the
sequences of these molecules and identified
several drug compounds that bind to these
protein molecules in a laboratory setting.
These results will allow researchers to
manipulate melatonin protein molecules in
the brain that could help manage obesity in
cats. The next step is to move this research,
into the clinical setting. This study also
allowed a veterinary student to assist with
the research, which led her to enroll in the
school as a veterinary graduate student.
You can help
Are you passionate about a certain breed or species of animal? Put your
passion to work with a study sponsorship. When you sponsor a study,
you can follow the successes and challenges the scientists encounter.
Learn more at www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org under “Support
Animal Health” and then “Other Ways to Help.”
12
Photo courtesy of Thomas Stevens
for llamas/alpacas
limitations of
deworming drugs
Dr. Lisa H. Williamson
University of Georgia
Many llamas and alpacas suffer from
sometimes fatal worm-related illnesses
because they receive ineffective doses
of dewormer medications. Veterinary
parasitologists now recognize that the use
of inadequate doses of dewormers promotes
parasite resistance.
Researchers from the University of Georgia
tested two drugs, moxidectin and morantel
tartrate, on an alpaca farm in Georgia,
where alpacas were randomly assigned to
treatment groups. The study showed that
injectable moxidectin is less suitable than
oral doses for treatment of camelid worms.
Because insufficient dosing promotes
parasite resistance, this information will
contribute to efforts to decrease the rate of
infection. Further, the research identified
the limitations of morantel tartrate as a sole
therapeutic agent. This research will enable
owners and veterinarians to make more
informed decisions when deworming llamas
and alpacas.
for wildlife
monitoring stress in bears
Dr. David Janz
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Human activities can negatively affect
wildlife populations, and in some cases
may result in long-term stress and health
problems in individual animals. This study
resulted in the development of a technique
to measure a primary stress hormone,
cortisol, in hair collected from grizzly
bears and polar bears. In combination with
collaborative research into environmental
changes and animal health, the research
team validated hair cortisol testing as a
sensitive, reliable and noninvasive measure
of long-term stress in wildlife.
This type of test will help conservation
managers assess the health of wild animal
populations, particularly large mammalian
carnivores such as bears. Researchers
were also able to identify many important
methodological considerations for other
researchers who might use the cortisol hair
test, thereby improving testing and allowing
for more accurate outcomes.
better pain medication
for bearded dragons
Dr. Cheryl B. Greenacre
University of Tennessee
Little research has been conducted to
improve pain management in reptile
patients. As a result, doses of pain relievers
used in reptiles are arbitrary and based
on subjective factors rather than scientific
information.
bearded dragons, a commonly kept pet
lizard. She also determined that many
drugs, particularly antibiotics, move quickly
through the bloodstream of bearded
dragons. This study showed how long painrelieving drugs remain in the bloodstream of
bearded dragons and at what level.
Veterinarians can now use this information
to appropriately prescribe pain-relieving
drugs to bearded dragons. Although
information gained will be specific to
bearded dragons, it will help all species of
reptiles that need pain medication.
improving West Nile
virus prevention
Dr. Erik Hofmeister
United States Geological Society
Since 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has
spread throughout the continental United
States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The disease has caused extensive mortality
in many avian species, and more than 270
wild and captive species are susceptible. To
date, there is no effective treatment, and
vaccinations have had limited success.
Although birds naturally concentrate
antibodies in their egg yolks, which passively
protect the chicks after hatching, it was not
previously known whether a bird immune to
WNV could passively protect her offspring
through these antibodies. Researchers from
the United States Geological Society proved
this concept correct. They also determined
that antibodies purified from eggs laid
by immunized chickens and injected into
susceptible chicks could provide protection
against WNV. This information will help
efforts to develop better WNV vaccines.
The researcher’s previous work at the
University of Tennessee, also funded
by Morris Animal Foundation, showed
that various pain relievers are effective in
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
13
In loving memory
At Morris Animal Foundation we know how difficult
it is to lose a special pet. Pets are part of our families,
and this section honors the amazing animals that
have touched their families’ lives.
The pets in this section were honored through
qualifying donations made between June 16, 2011, and
September 15, 2011. These gifts will be used to improve
animal health by funding research that can help
protect, treat and cure the animals of the future.
14
Gifts of $200 or more per pet qualify a special pet
to be listed in the “In loving memory” section of
AnimalNews. Please send a photo for consideration
with your donation. For donations of $500 or more,
a brass plate engraved with your pet’s name will
also be added to our Pet Memorial Wall.
For more information, visit the “Support Animal
Health” section on our website and click on
“Memorial Gifts.”
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Angus (1)
George (8)
Mickey Mulvihill (14)
Beloved Old Soul & Free Spirit
D O N OR : Anonymous
FAMILY : Lisa, who loves him still
Beloved Rottweiler
DON OR: Robert & Teresa Newman
FAM ILY : Robert & Teresa Newman
Beloved Friend & Companion
DONOR: Patricia & Boo Mulvihill
FAMILY : Patricia & Boo Mulvihill
Belle & Sunday (2)
Ginger
Mischief
Beloved Beagle & Cat
D O N OR : Ken Holland & Tory Hurst
FAMILY : Beth Pelton
Beloved Pet
DON OR: Larsen & Michelle
Anderson
FAM ILY : Larsen & Michelle
Anderson
Beloved Cat
DONOR: Linda & Glenn Collins
FAMILY : Tiffany Collins
Boomer (3)
Beloved Dog
D O N OR : Pamela & Arnold Loeb
FAMILY : Pamela & Arnold Loeb
Brooke (4)
Beloved Therapy Dog
D O N OR : GREYlong
FAMILY : Gregg & Sharon Loeser
Buffett (5)
Beloved Pet
D O N OR : Robert & Carol Helms
FAMILY : Robert & Carol Helms
Buffy (6)
Beloved Princess, Forever Dog
D O N OR : Gary & Alicia Schoolcraft
FAMILY : Gary & Alicia Schoolcraft
Candi & Heather
Beloved Smooth Collies
D O N OR : Carol S. Martin
FAMILY : Carol S. Martin
Carole
Beloved Standard Poodle
D O N OR : Elsie Jocz
FAMILY : Mary Linda Yeakey
Emily (7)
Beloved Cat
D O N OR : Robert Denard
FAMILY : Robert & Susan Denard
Frisco’s Sterling Silverado
Beloved Dog
D O N OR : Lisa Sheeran
FAMILY : Alan Fudge & Jeane Bell
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
Gwennie & Charlie
Beloved Terriers
DONOR: Thea Sybrandy
FAM ILY : Thea Sybrandy
Haiku (9)
Beloved Cat
DONOR: Robert Denard
FAM ILY : Robert & Susan Denard
Harley Boy
Beloved Beagle
DONOR: Patricia Hovey
FAM ILY : The Brown Family
Jackson Blue (10)
Beloved Maine Coon
DONOR: Monica F. Steidele
FAM ILY : Monica & Josiah Steidele
Jessy (11)
Beloved Pet
DON OR: Dr. Kathleen A. Hennegan & Dr. Jim & Marilyn
Hennegan
FAM ILY : Dr. Kathleen A. Hennegan
Kjersti (12)
Beloved Norwegian Forest Cat
DON OR: Norman & Jenni Ritchie
FAM ILY : Norman & Jenni Ritchie
Megan Mae (13)
Beloved Pet
DON OR: Art & Pam Schneider
FAM ILY : Art & Pam Schneider
Nali (15)
Beloved Pet
DONOR: Lelaina Marin
FAMILY : Lelaina Marin & Jack Muth
Otis
Beloved Dog
DONOR: John & Alice Crichton
FAMILY : John & Alice Crichton
Riley (16)
Beloved Dog
DONOR: Cathy Gust
FAMILY : Doreen & John Lynch
Samuel
Beloved Pet
DONOR: Michelle Murillo
FAMILY : Michelle & Boris Murillo
Simon (17)
Beloved Cat
DONOR: Aaron, Tracy, Lindy &
Stoli Gallagher
FAMILY : Sam & Becky Walton
Traver & Dubya
Beloved Pets
DONOR: Mr. & Mrs. John Ramil
FAMILY : Mr. & Mrs. John Ramil
Truman (18)
Beloved Friend & Companion
DONOR: The Truman Collar Website
FAMILY : Debby & Terry Fitch
Wiley (19)
Beloved Beagle
DONOR: Brenda Heaster &
Keith Ritter
FAMILY : Brenda Heaster &
Keith Ritter
15
Going corporate
but maintaining personality
B y A l l is o n T o nini
Denver clinic keeps its local flavor
Not much has changed at the former Firehouse Park Hill
Animal Health Center since becoming a Vet Center of America
(VCA) owned and operated practice. And that’s a good thing.
Many staff and clients were concerned that the Denver-based
clinic would be drastically altered when VCA, which owns more
than 520 animal hospitals across the nation, took it over in May
2010. But more than a year later, most have been pleasantly
surprised with the outcome. Much of VCA’s success stems from
their adopting an individualized business plan for each practice
they own. So even though new standards are implemented, each
clinic’s personal style still shines through.
“We’re the same hospital, just part of something bigger,” says
Jennifer Fulton, manager of the VCA Park Hill Hospital.
A quick walk through the hospital showcases VCA Park Hill’s
unique personality. From paw prints in the ceiling panels and
colorful pet pictures hanging on the walls to leash carabineers
on exam tables and waiting room snacks for both animals and
their owners, Park Hill’s ambience is not what you would expect
from a corporate clinic. And it’s not only the atmosphere that
has remained the same. Dedicated veterinarians like Dr. Susan
Barden and most of the hospital’s staff, including Muffy, the
hospital cat, stayed on board through the transition.
The clinic is also able to continue participating in an important
service: Morris Animal Foundation’s consoling Veterinary
Memorial Card Program. Through the program, the Park Hill
staff sends cards to memorialize their clients’ pets for a small
donation. The donation funds animal health research that
will help animals lead longer, healthier lives. In 2010, VCA
Park Hill was one of the top 10 clinics to participate in the
memorial program, a testament of their commitment to
advancing animal health.
“A huge part of working in this industry is having respect for
the animals. It’s just something that’s understood around here,”
Fulton says. “We all understand how important pets are.”
Working at a practice owned by VCA allows veterinarians
the joy of practicing medicine without the personal stress or
financial pressure of running one’s own practice. VCA also
provides its veterinarians and staff with the newest medical
information, technology and equipment. The best part, though,
is that it’s still all about the animals.
“The best part about my job is meeting all of the animals. I get
to poke my head out of my office and visit with all of the cute
puppies and kittens that come through the door. It’s definitely
rewarding to stop and focus on the pets,” Fulton says. D
16
Monthly
gifts add up
You can make a big impact on animal health by giving small monthly gifts. Gifts of
any amount add up quickly. Morris Animal Foundation is happy to offer automatic
monthly billing, which allows you to set aside a regular monthly gift—as low as $10
a month—that offers animals the opportunity for longer, healthier lives. Choose the
dollar amount and Morris Animal Foundation will bill your credit card each month.
Just visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/monthly-giving today.
STAFF
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SPONSORS
executive
officers
David Haworth, President/CEO
Wayne A. Jensen, Chief Scientif ic Off icer
John Taylor, Chief Operating Off icer
Mark J. Carter, Chair (Evergreen, CO)
Roger H. Bohart, Treasurer (Boulder, CO)
Thank you to the generous animal lovers who sponsored
studies featured in this issue at a level ranging from
$3,000 per year to the full cost of the project:
editorial staff
Heidi Jeter, Director of Marketing & Communications
Kelley Weir, Content Manager
For a full listing of Morris Animal Foundation
staff, please visit the About Us section at
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
HOURS & CONTACT INFO
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time
TOLL-FREE
800.243.2345
P
303.790.2345
E [email protected]
10200 East Girard Avenue
Suite B430
Denver, Colorado 80231
www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
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twitter.com/morris_animal
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the highest charity rating.
Please use the envelope inserted in this issue to
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Printed on recycled paper
with soy-based inks.
Alpaca Research Foundation Inc.
board members
Prema Arasu (Pullman, WA)
Deborah Davenport (Lecompton, KS)
Jim Dickie (Boulder, CO)
Robin A. Downing (Windsor, CO)
Susan Giovengo (Mason, OH)
Amy Hunkeler (Lee’s Summit, MO)
James A. Kutsch Jr. (Morristown, NJ)
Hugh B. Lewis (Vancouver, WA)
Lon D. Lewis (Topeka, KS)
Patrick O. Long (Corvallis, OR)
Bette M. Morris (Topeka, KS)
David R. Morris (Shawnee, KS)
Judith Needham (Hunt Valley, MD)
Janice Peterson (Ocean Park, WA)
Stanley M. Teeter (Topeka, KS)
Dominic Travis (St. Paul, MN)
Cheryl A. Wagner (Roswell, GA)
Betty White (Los Angeles, CA)
presidents emeriti
Tom Sullivan
Betty White
Anonymous
Greg & Kristin Benjamin
Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research
Canine Health Events & Southern Berkshire
Golden Retriever Club
Charles B. Sweatt Foundation
Jim & Wendy Dickie
El Pomar Foundation’s Freda Hambrick Fund
Dan & Carol Everetts
Fort Worth/Tarrant County Animal Foundation
George Sydney & Phyllis Redmond Miller Trust
Golden Retriever Foundation
Greater Appalachian Llama & Alpaca Association
Ingleside Animal Hospital
Jeffers Catalog
Sally A. Kennedy & Daniel J. Kennedy
Gertrude Lanman
Mary Lou Shannahan Foundation
Dr. Douglas & Kathy Miller
Rebecca B. Moyle
Pepper/Sampson Memorial Classic Fund
trustees emeriti
Eve Anderson
Patty Barnard
G. Marvin Beeman
Erik Bergishagen
Lewis Berman
R. Anthony Chamberlin
Mrs. Robert V. Clark Jr.
Robert Detterman
Sue Ane Langdon Emrek
Lester Fisher
Murray Fowler
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Richard Gebhardt
Alan Kalter
Arlene Klein
Daniel Marsh Jr.
Dayle Marsh
Dennis Murphy
Peter Rhulen
Ken Rosenthal
Charles Riley
Mary Silkworth
PLEASE CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN
TO ASK PET HEALTH QUESTIONS.
Our staff is unable to provide veterinary medical advice.
The opinions of study investigators may not necessarily be
those of your companion animal’s veterinarian.
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization
and is tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Service
regulation 501(c)(3). Our audited financial statement and
state registration information are available upon request.
Materials, including photographs and artwork, in this
publication may be reprinted only with the permission of
Petco
Peter & Karen Iacovelli Charitable Foundation
Pfizer Animal Health
Portuguese Water Dog Foundation Inc.
Sarah Wilson Sweatt Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation
Betsy Sigmon
Neil & Sylvia Van Sloun, the Van Sloun Foundation
VCA Animal Hospitals
Jenny & Brian Williamson
Zoaport Animal Health
ZuPreem
Morris Animal Foundation. Please write or call to receive
financial information or permission to reprint materials:
Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 E. Girard Ave., Suite
B430, Denver, Colorado 80231, or call us at 800.243.2345.
To remove your name from Morris Animal Foundation’s
mailing list, send an e-mail to
[email protected]
or call us at 800.243.2345.
©2011 Morris Animal Foundation. All rights reserved.
17
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Suite B430
Denver, Colorado 80231
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