Completed: July 31, 2010

Results:

Understanding the Scope of E. coli Resistance in Dogs and Cats: Researchers at Auburn University have undertaken a three-year study to document patterns of prevalence, resistance and susceptibility of Escherichia coli and to determine which specific drugs are ineffective so that other treatment options can be developed. These data will be used to identify demographics and risk factors of emerging drug resistance. The analyses and conclusions should be available in early 2011 and will improve guidelines for effectively treating E. coli infection. The project will also serve as a model for studying drug resistance in other infectious organisms

Principal Investigator: Dr. Dawn Merton Boothe, Auburn University

Study ID: D07MS-006

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Completed: May 20, 2010

Results
Research Indicates Ways to Reduce Respiratory Infection in Shelter Cats
Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is one of the most serious problems confronting animal control and humane shelters throughout the world. Many shelter cats suffer greatly from URI, and many are euthanized to help control outbreaks. Because infections are caused by a number of contagious microbes, controlling URI differs according to the microbe causing it. Previous studies concentrated mainly on the particular microbe or disease signs in individual cats, which may not be the most appropriate control method for the herd-like situations found in shelters. In this study, the first Morris Animal Foundation Amanda Feline Fellowship recipient applied livestock herd-health concepts to shelter cats to determine how environmental factors cause and sustain infection.

Fifteen shelters collected and entered project data into an online database and those that participated received ongoing newsletters that updated them on the project, shared results and presented information on feline wellness and possible strategies for URI prevention. Researchers showed that respiratory disease in shelter cats is not inevitable—some participating shelters reported rates near zero. They also documented the cost of feline URI in the participating shelters: some spend 30 percent or more of their feline care resources on managing cats affected by this illness. Although researchers have not yet determined the exact environmental factors behind the varying URI rates observed in shelters, simply documenting the differences in disease severity has shown that it is possible for shelters to maintain low disease rates and has encouraged shelters to examine their own feline care practices. These preliminary results and the fact it is important to monitor the disease were presented at the annual California Animal Care Conference to veterinarians and shelter managers. The prevention of URI will improve overall adoptability, reduce the number of days cats spend in shelters, reduce sheltering costs and free up resources for other important programs to benefit animals and communities—and new owners will bring home healthier cats. In addition, since completing her fellowship, the lead researcher has been contacted by the Japanese government about establishing a shelter medicine program.

Principal Investigator: Fellow: Dr. Aki Tanaka; Mentor: Dr. Niels C. Pedersen, University of California-Davis

Study ID: D06FE-404

Completed: May 20, 2010

Results
Rush Immunotherapy for Cats May Be Promising Treatment for Asthma
Asthma in cats can be debilitating and occasionally fatal. Identifying allergens in pet cats through skin and serum tests is difficult because both tests have high rates of false-positive or false-negative results. Scientists from the University of Missouri have investigated a treatment called rush immunotherapy (RIT) commonly used to treat human and canine asthma patients, on asthmatic cats. In this study RIT showed promise for not only relieving asthma symptoms but also reversing the condition in some cases. Researchers used two methods to deliver the therapy treatments: via injection just under the skin and through the nose. They also compared the safety and efficacy of RIT using a single allergen in cats allergic to a different allergen or to multiple allergens. This is the first treatment for cats with asthma that has shown promise in training the immune system to not react to what should be benign inhaled substances. Additionally, as it clinically can be very difficult to identify all allergens to which a cat may be sensitized, this was the first study to show some cross-protection in decreasing asthmatic inflammation. Researchers also gathered important pilot data, which will allow them to design and implement future clinical trials in pet cats with asthma. Because this study investigated the induction of tolerance to an allergen, results are applicable to many forms of allergic disease and to autoimmune/immune-mediated diseases. Steroids, which suppress the immune response, are the standard of care for cats with asthma; however, no studies have evaluated how steroids affect the identification of allergens for allergy shots or the efficacy of this therapy. This promising study provided extensive training in a research environment for a number of aspiring veterinary scientists. In a newly funded study by MAF, D09FE-022 “Evaluating a Potential Cure for Feline Asthma,” researchers will continue the work started on this grant by determining if steroids influence accurate identification of sensitizing allergens or reduce the efficacy of RIT.

Principal Investigator: Carol Norris Reinero, DVM, Ph.D., University of Missouri

Study ID: D06FE-017

Completed: May 20, 2010

Results
Novel Approach to Feral Cat Contraception Looks Promising
Feral cats are a major concern to animal welfare, humane organizations, public health agencies and wildlife conservation groups. The population of feral cats in the United States is estimated between 30 and 100 million, but the life span of these cats is only between two and three years. Because feral cats frequently transfer disease to other animals, a more effective method to control feral cat populations through contraception was researched at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in hopes of reducing their numbers. In this study researchers assessed the suitability of a single-dose microencapsulated vaccine directed against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) for contraception in domestic cats. They found that this novel contraceptive vaccine, especially when administered in two doses, is effective in inhibiting the ovulation cycle and reducing fertility in vaccinated cats. During the study, none of the female cats who received two vaccinations became pregnant, but all cats who were not vaccinated became pregnant. Furthermore, cats that were not vaccinated had more kittens on average than cats that were given a single dose of vaccine and became pregnant. If proven safe and effective, this contraceptive vaccine, especially if produced as a single-dose product, may help control the population and reduce the cost associated with pet overpopulation. The completion of this study allowed a postdoctoral fellow at the Cincinnati Zoo to gain invaluable experience in conducting laboratory studies with cats for the first time in her career, which will benefit her future veterinary research career in her native Brazil.

Principal Investigator: Dr. William F. Swanson, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Study ID: D08FE-029

Potential New Way to Diagnose Early Kidney Disease
Chronic renal disease (CRD) is a leading cause of mortality in cats. Due to testing limitations, CRD can currently be diagnosed only after the majority of the kidney tissue has been destroyed. This very late diagnosis limits the veterinarian's ability to intervene at an early stage of the disease when the progression of it could be slowed. The detection of microalbuminuria in the urine recently has been promoted as an indicator of early CRD in cats; however, up to 70 percent of healthy, geriatric cats may test positive without having renal failure. Researchers from Massey University determined that an alternative laboratory test that measures the concentration of a urine compound called felinine and its byproducts appears to detect disease with greater sensitivity.  This could provide an early diagnostic test that would detect disease before clinical signs are apparent, allowing for early treatment intervention and increased long-term survivability, however, the researchers need more patients to confirm their findings. Further funding should allow for this validation and they have applied to Morris Animal Foundation for a second grant.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick, Massey University, New Zealand

Study ID: D07FE-002

Results:

New Laparoscopy Training Curriculum Validated for Veterinarians
Laparoscopy is a technique often used for spay and abdominal surgeries because it minimizes pain and shortens recovery time. Although it is becoming more common in veterinary practice, laparoscopic surgery is challenging and requires different skills than traditional surgery. In human medicine, training in this technique is incorporated into surgical training programs, but the veterinary medical curriculum doesn't provide any validated training programs. Researchers from Washington State University assessed the skills and surgical performance of veterinarians who participated in one of two current training programs. Group A consisted only of basic skills exercises, whereas participants in group B practiced on a variety of models, including an anatomical model of a canine abdomen. Results indicate that a more varied training curriculum, similar to group B's curriculum, improves scores on surgical performance tests. The surgical performance test appeared well related to surgical experience and basic laparoscopic skills. This project validated an effective training curriculum and outcome assessment model, which can be implemented with little cost at most institutions. An improved skill level of surgeons will maximize the benefit and minimize the risks associated with laparoscopic surgery, a benefit to any dog undergoing surgery.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Boel A. Fransson, Washington State University

Study ID: D08MS-301

Certain Nutrients May Inhibit Cancer Growth in Cats
Cats have the highest incidence of lymphoma of any pet animal. Although nutrition is known to play an important role in cancer risk and tumor behavior in many species, few studies have looked at the use of nutrients in treating feline lymphoma. Previous research indicates that lipotropes, which are a type of methyl nutrient that include vitamin B-12, may be able to inhibit the growth of lymphoma cells. Researchers from North Dakota State University investigated whether supplementing feline lymphoma cells with lipotropes in a cell culture would inhibit the growth of the cancer cells. Their results indicate that these nutrients significantly reduced feline lymphoma cell growth and induced cell death. These results may provide insight into low-risk, cost-effective nutritional methods for reducing cancer in cats. Further study-such as clinical trials-is needed, but the findings may lead to better prevention and treatment of feline lymphoma.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Chung S. Park, North Dakota State University

Study ID: D08FE-047

Scientists Successfully Map Feline Genetic Markers
Genetic mutations cause several hundred feline diseases. For both humans and dogs, a well-established genome map is being used to identify the genes that cause specific diseases, but only a handful of genetic mutations have been linked to diseases of cats in the current feline gene map. A higher-density (more detailed) map of genetic markers is needed to study feline genetic diseases and disorders. In this two-year study, researchers from Texas A&M University successfully mapped nearly 2,800 genetic markers, which will aid in the assembly of the feline genome sequence that is anticipated to be completed later this year. Adding these markers to the feline gene map will close the gap in the cat-human-dog comparison map and allow researchers to identify the genetic bases of feline disease, physical characteristics and behavior.

Principal Investigator: Dr. William J. Murphy, Texas A&M University

Study ID: D06FE-063

Research Indicates that Dietary Lysine Doesn’t Prevent Respiratory Infections
Infectious upper respiratory disease is a common problem in multi-cat environments, especially shelters. Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) causes severe, common and recurrent respiratory disease and results in significant morbidity, especially in kittens. Once exposed, cats can shed FHV-1 throughout their lives. Physiological stresses, such as other diseases, pregnancy, lactation and rehousing, increase outbreaks, and no current therapies prevent the disease or stop recurrences. In previous in vivo studies, investigators showed that oral administration of the amino acid lysine can reduce clinical signs and shedding of FHV-1. However, data in this study suggest that adding lysine to the diet of cats in a shelter is ineffective in reducing the clinical signs of upper respiratory infection or the amount of virus shed. These data are of immense practical value because shelters currently using dietary lysine supplementation could save considerable staff time and resources by using alternative administration methods to control upper respiratory infection.

Principal Investigator: Dr. David J. Maggs, University of California/Davis

Study ID: D05FE-010

Vaccine Shows Significant Promise for Controlling Feline Contraception
The uncontrolled reproduction of feral cats is a substantial cause of cat overpopulation and euthanasia. Although surgical sterilization is an increasingly popular and humane method of controlling feral cat populations, it is expensive, labor-intensive, highly technical and limited in scale. In a previous MAF-funded study, researchers tested a single-dose vaccine that successfully prevented pregnancy in 73 percent of female cats during the two-year observation period. A second three-year study continued this work, for a total of five years of observation, at which point 27 percent of the cats remained infertile. The duration of the vaccine's effectiveness ranged from four months to more than five years (median = three years). It is highly likely that a second immunization would increase the percentage of cats with long-lasting and perhaps permanent contraception, but multiple treatments of free-roaming cats would be difficult. Researchers believe future work should focus on refining the single-dose approach to increase the percentage of cats that remain infertile for at least three years. Results from this study have been widely presented, and the lead researcher was appointed to the initial scientific advisory committee of the Michelson Prize and Grants program of the Found Animals Foundation in Los Angeles, which has earmarked $75 million for the development of nonsurgical sterilization options for cats and dogs.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Julie Levy, University of Florida

Study ID: D07FE-019