Morris Animal Foundation Announces 2017 Feline Research Grants

Newly funded studies address serious health threats in cats

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Morris Animal Foundation, committed to solving the critical health
problems of animals around the world, announced five newly funded
studies to improve feline health. The scope of the studies covers
critical health challenges from a deadly infectious disease to cancer
and more.

Through the grants, totaling nearly $568,000, the Foundation is
supporting five research teams at four universities including the
University of Illinois, Colorado State University, North Carolina State
University, and the University of California, Davis.

The Foundation’s Small Animal Scientific Advisory Board reviewed all
submitted grant applications and selected, based on scientific merit and
impact, the studies with the greatest potential to save lives, preserve
health, and advance veterinary care. Feline studies funded for 2017 in
the 2016 grant cycle include:

• Cancer – Researchers at the University of Illinois will investigate a
  new and promising treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most
  common oral cancer in cats.
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – Researchers at Colorado State
  University will study cats with a protective immune response to feline
  enteric coronavirus (a common intestinal virus that can mutate and
  cause the deadly FIP) with the aim of identifying targets for a
  vaccine strategy.
• Diabetes – Researchers at the University of California, Davis, will
  investigate the effectiveness of a novel drug to maintain and extend
  diabetic remission in cats.
• Viral infections – Researchers at North Carolina State University will
  use DNA sequencing technology to better understand the biological
  mechanisms that help cats fight off viral infections. This work is
  highly applicable to the development of next-generation vaccines.
• Chronic pain – A second research team at North Carolina State
  University will study methods of measuring chronic pain in cats with
  osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases to improve
  diagnostic and treatment strategies.

“There are very few funding sources for research into the diseases that
impact our domestic cats,” said Dr. Barbara Wolfe, Chief Scientific
Officer at the Foundation. “With the announcement of these newest
grants, Morris Animal Foundation continues to support critical research
that will advance veterinary care for our companion cats, and help them
enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

About Morris Animal Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation is a global leader in funding scientific
studies that advance the health of companion animals, horses and
wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has invested over
$103 million toward more than 2,500 studies that have led to significant
breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases to
benefit animals worldwide. Learn more at Morris
Animal Foundation.

Contacts

Morris Animal Foundation
Carol Borchert, 303-708-3418
Director
of Communications