Updates from Morris Animal Foundation.

From their Web site: www.morrisanimalfoundation.org

We fund research studies that help protect, treat, and cure animals.

In fact, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is the world's largest
nonprofit foundation 501(c)(3) dedicated to funding research studies to
protect, treat and cure animals.

Helping animals across the world

MAF has been at the forefront of funding health breakthroughs that have
helped animals on all seven continents. Our funded research helps a
wide variety of animals, including companion animals such as dogs,
cats, horses, llamas/alpacas, as well as wildlife including mountain
gorillas, elephants, rhinoceros, wolves, sea otters, and many varieties
of birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.research studies to protect, treat and cure animals, including companion animals
(dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas), as well as wildlife (mountain gorillas, elephants, rhinoceros,
wolves, and many varieties of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish).-->

Morris Animal Foundation's scientific scope

More
than 50 of the world's most respected research institutions, colleges
of veterinary medicine, and zoos are conducting nearly 200
MAF–sponsored studies and veterinary student projects.

Morris Animal Foundation Profiles Animal Health Technicians

The Denver-based Foundation is looking for credentialed animal health technicians who are willing to be interviewed for profiles published online and in a variety of other venues. Professionals are encouraged to contact Heather Grimshaw at Hgrimshaw@morrisanimalfoundation.org. The first profile is online and can be viewed at http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/blog/technicians-who-advance-veterinary-research/

Latest in Animal Health

Looking for new and compelling information about the latest in animal health information and research, veterinary advances and animal-related events? Morris Animal Foundation's Hot Topics blog provides regularly updated health research and event information about dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas and wildlife, and it also highlights veterinary teams that are making a difference in unique ways. You'll also get updates on Foundation events. Visit http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/blog/ today to sign up for an RSS feed. On the Web site, you can also sign up to receive Morris Animal Foundation e-newsletters, with electronic issues eight times per year.

Thank Your Vet Contest

Final results

Progress In Cat Health

It's a Dog's Life!

Click here to find out what's happening with:

behavior
blood disorders
cancer
endocrine disorders

Newest in dog research - Oct 09

Progress in Wildlife Health

click here for Oct 09 update

Just Horsing Around

click here for Horse research update - Oct 09
Unraveling an equine mystery: Dietary changes help prevent and manage tying up

You are what you eat: Nutritional studies

Innovative research identifies links between nutrition and disease: Just as our diet affects your health, what your pets eat also influences their disease risk.
Researcher puts marketing claims to the test: Despite technological and medical advances, age-old remedies continue to provide a beacon for pet owners who seek alternatives to traditional health treatments. Unfortunately, many alternative and complementary therapies haven't been tested and may adversely affect an ill pet.
Zoo professional discovers dietary trends in giant pandas

Arthritis Information

This site features several research projects funded by MAF and 5 videos with veterinarians and pet owners talking about arthritis-prevention, treatment and ways that pets live with this disease. MAF hopes veterinary professionals will use this as a tool-a resource for pet owners who are concerned about their pets and the pain associated with arthritis.

http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/arthritis

New Veterinary Research Will Help
Animals Enjoy Longer, Healthier Lives
Morris Animal Foundation Announces $13
Million in Funding for More Than 200 Studies

Media Contact: Tina M.
Martinez

tmartinez@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

800.243.2345

Denver/Oct. 28, 2009—Helping animals enjoy
longer, healthier lives requires ongoing scientific animal health
research to give veterinarians the tools they need
to better diagnose and treat animals. Morris Animal Foundation, a world leader
in supporting research to prevent, treat and even cure disease in companion
animals, horses and wildlife, has committed to funding more than 200 animal
health studies in 2010, with support for those studies totaling $13 million over
the next three years. Read full descriptions of the current studies at
www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/studies.

Funding will be provided to established
researchers as well as new researchers, veterinary student scholars and
veterinarians pursuing advanced study. Studies will take place at more than 60
of the world’s most elite veterinary colleges, zoological institutions and
scientific research centers.

The Foundation will support more than 50
canine health studies that
will research blood and eye disorders, infectious diseases, orthopedic problems,
pain management, early retirement of guide dogs and urinary problems. A number
of cancer studies, funded by the nonprofit’s Canine Cancer Campaign, will look
at multiple aspects of canine cancer prevention and
treatment.

The 24 feline health
research studies address asthma, cancer,
gastrointestinal problems, heart disease, kidney disease, pain management and
urinary problems. A special fellowship project and three studies that look at
transmission of upper respiratory
infection in shelter cats are being funded by the
Foundation’s Happy Healthy Cat Campaign. The campaign will also support a major
genetics project to be launched in 2010.

The selection of 17 equine studies involves
equine health
research into genetics, foal diseases, laminitis,
infectious diseases and colic. In addition, the Foundation will provide
significant funding for its Equine Consortium for Genetic
Research, a group of the world’s best equine
researchers who are working on multiple collaborative projects to improve equine
health through genetics.

An additional six health studies related to
nutrition, genetics and infectious parasites will help llamas and alpacas. The
Foundation is also the leader in wildlife health funding,
with 42 studies designed to improve reproduction and nutrition and to decrease
infectious disease in a host of animals, including anteaters, bears, birds,
amphibians, elephants, primates, marine life, wolves, wild cats and many
more.

In response to the growing shortage of
veterinary scientists needed to improve animal health, Morris Animal Foundation
designated $3.1 million of the $13 million toward training new scientists. More
than 60 students will receive short-term grants through the Veterinary Student
Scholars program, which gives students interested in animal health and welfare
the opportunity to work with a mentor on research projects and encourages them
to consider a career in veterinary research.

The new Pfizer Animal Health–Morris Animal
Foundation Veterinary Fellowships for Advanced Study provide annual funding for
veterinary professionals to pursue advanced study that will lead to careers in
research. Eight veterinarians entered the program in September 2009, and an
additional four fellows will begin September 2010. Additional training programs
are being funded at Colorado State University, Oklahoma State University and the
University of Minnesota.

Individuals and groups have a unique
opportunity to help animals through sponsorships of these studies.
Co-sponsorships begin at $3,000 per study. Sponsorship information is available
at www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/studies/sponsor-a-study, by calling
800.243.2345 or by e-mailing sponsorship@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.

Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians

Updates from Morris Animal Foundation.