research studies » current studies
Morris Animal Foundation's current studies will give animals longer, healthier lives.
Each year Morris Animal Foundation funds more than 200 health studies to improve the health of dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas and numerous wildlife species. Our support also trains the next generation of veterinary scientists to meet future animal health needs.
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
D08CA-604: Risk Factors for Spinal Cord Disorders
principal investigator: Rachael Cohen, Vet Student Scholar, University of Missouri
needs sponsorship
Year 1 of 1 $5,000
Canine degenerative myelopathy is a spontaneously occurring spinal cord disorder that occurs in adult dogs. As the disorder progresses, it typically leads to paraplegia over a course of three years, though many dog owners opt for euthanasia once paralysis sets in, usually within a year of diagnosis. The condition appears to be inherited since it is common in German shepherds and a few other breeds. Researchers at the University of Missouri, in conjunction with investigators at the Broad Institute, recently discovered a mutation in the canine SOD1 gene as a risk factor for degenerative myelopathy. In this study, the veterinary scholar will examine the frequency of this gene mutation in various breeds and help to identify genetic risk factors.
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