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AnimalNEWS 23.4 HELPING BIRDS OF PREY NATURE'S CLEAN-UP CREW Clark’s Journey with IMHA Does Your Cat’s Breed Affect Disease Risk? Hope on the Horizon for HemangiosarcomaYOUR IMPACT SPAY/NEUTER TIMING Researchers with the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs are looking for associations between spay/neuter status and overweight/obesity body condition scores in dogs. The team found that for most dogs enrolled in the study, spaying/neutering increased the risk for becoming overweight or obese, and the risk was larger for males than females. Sterilizing for most breeds at 1 year old tended to lower the overweight/obesity risk compared to the same procedure later in life. (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 2023) CAT HEALTH DATA Researchers at the University of Guelph, Canada, are analyzing five years of data from the largest Swedish pet insurance company, with the goal of improving cat care. The team identified the most common as well as the most serious health conditions in cats including breed-specific differences in disease incidence risk. Top 10 causes of feline sickness overall include problems related to the digestive tract, injuries, whole body symptoms, skin issues, lower urinary tract disease, upper urinary tract problems, locomotion issues, cancer (tumors), eyes and endocrine (gland-related) health challenges. (VetRecord, March 2023) DIET AND MOVEMENT DISORDER Researchers at University for Veterinary Medicine Hanover Foundation in Germany are learning more about an episodic movement disorder called paroxysmal dyskinesia – commonly mistaken for epileptic seizures – to improve diagnosis and appropriate treatment for dogs. Early data suggests a possible connection between diet and canine paroxysmal dyskinesia; the team found signs of gluten sensitivity in a small subset of affected dogs studied that responded to a gluten-free diet. More study is warranted in a larger population of affected dogs to confirm this finding. (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, March 2023) FUNGAL DISEASE The little brown bat is one of the species hit hardest by white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fatal fungal disease in hibernating bats; less than 10% of a once-robust population survived the outbreak. Lesley University researchers are studying the slow recovery and comeback of remnant colonies of little brown bats. The team found evidence of wing damage and healing in surviving bats and developed a wing damage scoring system. This new tool will help assess the bats’ long-term recovery and inform conservation efforts. (Journal of Mammalogy, June 2023) 800.243.2345 | 303.790.2345 | mailbox@morrisanimalfoundation.org IN THIS ISSUE 3 Protecting Your Pet from Cancer 4 Hemangiosarcoma Hope AnimalNEWS Volume 23 Issue 4 Fall 2023 Quarterly Publication 2 AnimalNEWS OUR MISSION is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Thanks to generous supporters like you, Morris Animal Foundation has been a global leader in funding studies to advance animal health for 75 years. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife around the world. 6 Cat Breed Risk Factors 7 Understanding Equine PPID 8 Helping Birds of Prey 10 Clark’s IMHA Journeymorrisanimalfoundation.org 3 Lymphoma is one of the most common pet cancers, accounting for 24% of all cancers diagnosed in dogs and around 30% of those diagnosed in cats. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell found in both blood and lymphatic systems. There are more than 30 types of lymphoma described in dogs, and the different subtypes vary significantly in how they behave, how they are treated, and their long-term prognosis. In cats, a similar typing system hasn’t been developed yet. Lymphoma tends to affect middle-aged to older cats and dogs. There are several forms of the disease, including: Multicentric (involving the lymph nodes): most common form in dogs, rare in cats Alimentary (gastrointestinal): second-most common form in dogs and most common type in cats Mediastinal: rare form involving lymph organs in the chest; affects both dogs and cats Extranodal: rare form involving other organs such as nose, kidney, skin, nervous system, eyes, lungs; affects both dogs and cats Diagnosis of lymphoma requires a combination of bloodwork, imaging (such as ultrasound), aspirates of enlarged lymph nodes or internal organs, and biopsy. It’s important to do special testing on the cancerous cells as a guide for treatment and to determine prognosis. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for lymphoma in cats and dogs. Radiation and surgery are used in special cases. Lymphoma is one of the cancers we’re monitoring closely in our Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. It is the second-most common cancer diagnosed in our cohort of 3,000+ dogs, and the second-most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Researchers are starting to look at samples and data from Study dogs diagnosed with lymphoma to identify risk factors for this important cancer. Did you know there are steps you can take to reduce cancer risk in your pets, including lymphoma? THESE INCLUDE: AVOID EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE TAKE YOUR PET IN FOR ROUTINE VETERINARY CHECK-UPS AVOID PROLONGED SUN EXPOSURE BECOME AN EXPERT ON YOUR PET’S BREED EXERCISE AND WEIGHT CONTROL CAN HELP EXAMINE YOUR PET ONCE A MONTH TO CHECK FOR NEW LUMPS OR BUMPS AVOID EXPOSURE TO LAWN CHEMICALS ADD RAW VEGGIES TO THEIR DIET OR GIVE AS TREATS PROTECTING YOUR PET FROM A COMMON CANCERA sudden collapse in a previously healthy dog. A new skin mass that is bleeding. An abdominal mass detected on ultrasound. These are the many different ways hemangiosarcoma, one of the deadliest types of cancer, can present itself. At the Foundation, we hear from pet parents facing this dreadful disease almost every day. To learn how we're working to find new and better ways to diagnose, treat and even prevent hemangiosarcoma from taking the lives of more of our beloved dogs, let’s review our newest research projects, take a peek at the latest data from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, and preview what’s on the horizon. DATA & SAMPLES HOLD THE KEYS TO NEW UNDERSTANDING As 2023 comes to a close, hemangiosarcoma remains the leading cause of cancer death in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study cohort. As of August 1, just over 1,000 dogs have been diagnosed with some type of cancer – 337 of these diagnoses are hemangiosarcoma. It is a rare week for our Study team that they're not hearing from a distraught participant about the sudden loss of their Hero to this terrible disease. We're working hard to get the word out to the global scientific community about our unparalleled sample and data collection. These precious resources could hold the key to stopping hemangiosarcoma from claiming more lives. HOPE ON THE HORIZON FOR HEMANGIOSARCOMA HEMANGIOSARCOMA INITIATIVE IN FULL SWING Research cannot move forward without funding. Last year, we launched our new Hemangiosarcoma Initiative. We've been overwhelmed with not only the passionate response from our donors who are joining us in fighting this disease, but by the number and quality of research proposals submitted during our first call. A NEW SLATE OF STUDIES HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR FUNDING AND INCLUDES: DEVELOPING A LIQUID BIOPSY TEST FOR EARLY DISEASE DETECTION FINDING GENES ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER RISK OF DISEASE LOOKING FOR TUMOR SUBTYPES THAT MAY INFORM PROGNOSIS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT NEW TARGETED THERAPIES INCLUDING IMMUNOTHERAPY AND NEW CANCER-BLOCKING DRUGS 4 AnimalNEWSAfter decades with little to no progress on diagnosis, treatment or prevention, new technologies are paving the way for innovative research that can improve the odds for dogs with hemangiosarcoma. Your support is helping us provide hope for the dogs and families who are faced with this challenging disease. Hemangiosarcoma affects primarily middle-aged and older dogs Males and females equally affected 90% Of dogs die within one year post-diagnosis, despite surgery & chemotherapy Although some dog breeds are reported at higher risk, any dog can be affected QUICK FACTS morrisanimalfoundation.org 5Female reproductive issues Lower respiratory infections Complications from surgery Heart disease Immunological diseases BREED MATTERS WHEN IT COMES TO CAT HEALTH One of the first things we hear from new kitten or cat owners is “what health problems do I need to worry about?” There are lots of studies linking health outcomes with dog breeds, but similar data for cats is sparse. However, a newly published report from Foundation-funded researchers at the University of Guelph, Canada, is filling this knowledge gap. The team analyzed health and demographic data from Agria Pet Insurance Company collected on roughly 550,000 cats and found that disease rates varied widely between purebred and domestic crossbred cats. The disease categories in which purebreds had the highest relative risk include: Surprisingly, the study also found that domestic crossbred cats were more likely to develop endocrine, skin and mobility issues than their purebred counterparts. The study’s findings could have important implications for cat owners, veterinarians, researchers and breeders. “Information on feline disease frequency and risk is a valuable tool that can help guide clinical decision- making, assist in monitoring and planning of breeding programs, educate cat owners and prioritize research," said Dr. Barr Hadar, one of the report’s authors and a researcher involved in the study. The team has big plans to continue their analysis and they hope they’ll find even more information to help veterinarians and pet parents improve cat care – and that’s something to meow about! 6 AnimalNEWSEQUINE UNDERSTANDING PPID PPID is a disease of the pituitary gland, a small organ located in the brain. The pituitary gland produces and stores hormones crucial to many different bodily functions, including metabolism, reproduction and growth. In PPID, the pituitary gland becomes diseased and produces too much cortisol. High cortisol levels lead to: Hair coat changes | Lethargy | Behavior changes | Muscle loss | Pot belly | Recurrent infections | Laminitis PPID can be diagnosed through specialized blood tests in combination with clinical signs. Although PPID is treatable, it isn’t curable, and therapy is lifelong. Successful treatment relies on a combination of medication, diet change and exercise. As always, it’s important to stay on top of routine wellness care including dental examinations, parasite control, farrier work and vaccinations. Several new projects focused on PPID were recommended for funding during our recent equid review meeting. One study hopes to harness the power of AI to diagnose PPID earlier. Another study will revisit the use of an older drug, cyproheptadine, in the treatment of PPID. We’re excited to help improve the quality of life of horses and ponies affected by PPID through these new grants! Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is a well-known disease in horses and is thought to be the most common endocrine (gland) disorder affecting equids. Research estimates upwards of 15-30% of horses over the age of 15 have PPID, and some experts believe the number might be even higher. morrisanimalfoundation.org 78 AnimalNEWS NEED OUR HELP BIRDS OF PREY WATCHING A BALD EAGLE SOARING OVER THE WATER OR A RED-TAILED HAWK CATCHING AN UPDRAFT IS AWE-INSPIRING. BIRDS OF PREY ARE NOT ONLY MAJESTIC, BUT THEIR HEALTH CAN BE AN INDICATOR FOR OVERALL HABITAT HEALTH, AND DECLINES IN RAPTOR SPECIES OFTEN ARE A REFLECTION OF PROBLEMS CAUSED BY HUMAN BEHAVIORS AND/OR DISEASE. FOR DECADES, THE FOUNDATION HAS FUNDED KEY STUDIES THAT HAVE TACKLED BOTH THESE CHALLENGES.morrisanimalfoundation.org 9 A great example is a recent study conducted in Madrid, Spain, in which researchers had noted that roughly 90% of the small European scops owl chicks living in Madrid had painful oral lesions, leading to death by starvation. While the team suspected a parasite to be the cause of the decline, they didn’t know how the disease was being transmitted or what caused the outbreak. Researchers identified the culprit as Gongylonema, a parasitic worm hitching a ride on the city’s cockroaches, which make an easy meal for owl parents feeding a nest of hungry chicks. Although identifying the parasite responsible for the chick death was a win, the team was stumped by another question - why was this problem occurring in Madrid and not elsewhere in the European scops owls’ range? The team set about looking for clues that could answer this puzzling question. And they came up with an answer that not only explains the scops owl decline in Madrid but provides a framework for declines in other urban species. The group presented their theories and findings in a recent publication. Researchers noted the presence of cockroaches and owl infection rates in Madrid were associated with how humans manage urban features, including green spaces. Limited biodiversity of potential food sources in Madrid’s green spaces, the owls’ hunting grounds, left the owls with few daily menu options. THIS EYE-OPENING FINDING SUGGESTS GREEN SPACE PLANNING FOR CITIES NEEDS TO CONSIDER DIVERSIFYING PLANTS AND HABITATS – ONE EASY WAY TO HELP URBAN RAPTORS INCLUDING THE SCOPS OWL, AS WELL AS OTHER CITY- DWELLING WILDLIFE. Raptors are nature’s clean-up crew and important players in the world food web. If we keep raptors healthy, we will keep our shared planet healthy too. MORE THAN 500 RAPTOR SPECIES LIVE AROUND THE WORLD. SOME OF THE SPECIES WE ARE HELPING: African Fishing Eagle • Bald Eagle • California Condor • European Scops Owl • Egyptian Vulture • Galapagos Hawk • Golden Eagle • Great Horned Owl • Griffon Vulture • Peregrine Falcon • Red-Tailed Hawk • Ridgway's Hawk • Turkey Vulture • White-Tailed EagleNext >