research studies

research studies » current studies

In 2008, Morris Animal Foundation will fund nearly 200 new and continuing studies for dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas, and wildlife as well as more than 40 veterinary student projects.

We also have numerous studies nearing completion. You can search our current study database by species and/or disease to learn more about the studies we are funding in the areas you care most about. The results will also show you whether a study is available for sponsorship.

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Study



D07EQ-405: Surfactant Alterations in RAO-Affected Horses Are Related to Disease Severity

principal investigator: Fellow: Dr. Undine Christman; Mentor: Dr. Virginia Buechner-Maxwell, Virginia Tech

APPROVED/UNFUNDED: This project requires full sponsorship for the first year and a commitment to fund subsequent years.

needs sponsorship

Year: 2 of 2. $37,800

Heaves, also called recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), similar to asthma in humans, causes labored breathing in horses. Most often, heavey horses become ill after exposure to airborne dust and mold found in the hay and straw used in stables. Surfactant, an essential fluid produced by cells in the alveoli of the lung, lubricates the small airways deep in the lung and helps animals and people breathe easily. The team's preliminary studies have provided strong evidence that horses with heaves do not make normal levels of surfactant. Detecting surfactant changes in heavey horses will add to the understanding of why these horses become ill and may allow for early diagnosis. This information also may guide the development of more specific and effective treatment for heavey horses, improving their quality of life and prolonging the years they can remain active and comfortable.

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