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Since our founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has funded hundreds of health research studies to protect, treat and cure the world's companion animals and wildlife.
Our studies have led to major advances in veterinary care, including vaccines and other preventions, diagnostic tools and new therapies for the diseases and health conditions that threaten the lives of the animals we love. Search our completed study database by species and/or disease to learn more about how our work has given animals longer, healthier lives.
Category
D05ZO-611: Documenting the Blinding Effect of Wasmannia auropunctata (little fire ant) on Native Fauna in Gabon
principal investigator: Nicole Savageau, student, University of Pennsylvania
Project Mentor: Sharon L. Deem, DVM, PhD
completed
Year: 1 of 1. $0
This project was to investigate the relationship between an invasive ant species, Wasmannia auropunctata, and eye lesions seen in many species of domestic and wild animals in Gabon. The project sought to first document a connection between the eye lesions in animals and the presence of the ant and then to evaluate the use of steroids in treating domestic cats with eye lesions. The results indicate that there is a correalation between the presence of eye lesions in animals and the presence of this ant in their environment. Treatment with steroids did not change the appearance of the lesions. Nicole was able to attend the Wasmannia auropunctata working group meeting along with many established scientists working on this problem. She also wrote up her experience for the Vet Gazette (the student AVMA journal) and won honorable mention.
Nicole says, "Despite some of the setbacks that inevitably occur with this kind of research, this project made me even more interested in a career in zoo and conservation medicine and research."
