January 27, 2023 – At the Veterinary Cancer Society conference in October, Morris Animal Foundation announced a new multiyear, multimilliondollar research initiative focused on hemangiosarcoma, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study.
A major goal of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is to help focus research dollars in areas identified as critical to improving canine health. After 10 years of reporting, enough data has been gathered to show the outsized impact of hemangiosarcoma on cancer deaths in the Study cohort of 3,044 dogs.
“Hemangiosarcoma, an almost universally fatal cancer, accounts for approximately 70% of cancer deaths to date in our cohort,” said Dr. Kathy Tietje, Vice President of Scientific Operations at Morris Animal Foundation. “With meaningful and targeted research efforts, and a greater investment of funding, we hope we can improve the outlook for all dogs diagnosed with this devastating disease.”
The Foundation opened a call for proposals in January, focused on advancing the prevention, detection and treatment of hemangiosarcoma. Grant funding will begin in mid-2023.
“Hemangiosarcoma is one of the deadliest forms of canine cancer,” said Dr. Tietje. “This upcoming research initiative is dedicated to our Golden Retriever Lifetime Study dog owners and veterinarians and their beloved golden retrievers. They are helping the research community move the needle on this deadly disease.”
