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.
Category
D07ZO-633: An Evaluation of Physical & Behavioral Signs of Pain in Large Felids
principal investigator: Karen Barger, Veterinary Student Scholar, Mississippi State University
needs sponsorship
Year: 1 of 1. $5,000
Identifying pain and distress in captive wild cats is critical to their health, but the standard signs of pain or distress in domestic cats, such as temperature and blood pressure, cannot always be safely assessed in large cats. In this project, the scholar will observe patterns of behavior in captive large cats living in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries in Mississippi and Tennessee. She also will visit South Africa where she hopes to observe some of these subjects in their natural habitat. The goal is to determine specific physical and behavioral traits that large cats display in response to distress. These patterns will be useful for evaluating these animals and better managing their pain or distress.
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