Winn Feline Foundation News
Winn Feline Foundation Newsletter
  Every Cat, Every Day Benefits from Winn-funded Research
May 2015
Winnie's Corner
Winnie
 

Meow, meow, meow...


Nearly made it outside this morning. My human lazily opened the door as she does regularly to retrieve those mysterious papers that appear magically every day in a little box. This time the fluttery wings of a songbird landing just outside on the lawn proved to be just too much for my ancient and not quite dormant "killer" instinct. I tried to pounce but was too slow. Maybe next time!


I'm not afraid of going outside as my human had me microchipped. I know if I wander away and lose my way home that another human will feed and love me and check for my chip. It's comforting to know my human cares enough about me to make sure others can know how to find my home.


Memo to Cat Lovers: While microchips are not fool proof, they are an excellent way to make sure you have done everything you can to ensure the safety of your pet. Be sure to register and renew your microchip information. Also, if you change your address or other personal information, be sure to provide your microchip registrar with any updates.


 

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

 

In these days of tension, human beings can learn a great deal about relaxation from watching a cat, who doesn't just lie down when it is time to rest, but pours his body on the floor and rests in every nerve and muscle.

 

-Murray Robinson

 

-American writer

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2015 Winn Grant Awards

 

 

Winn Feline Foundation is pleased to announce the award of eleven feline medical research grants funded through the generous support of private and corporate donations from around the world. Winn Board President Glenn Olah, DVM, PhD, DABVP (Feline) stated, "This year we awarded $190,649 in grants for studies on a variety of cat health issues including tests for ringworm, diagnosing and treating Tritrichomonas foetus, kidney disease, liver disease, urethral obstruction, heart disease in Birman cats and four FIP projects. In addition, Winn renewed its support for continued mapping of the cat genome."

 

Winn awarded grants for the following research studies:

 

Comparing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with fungal culture for ringworm.

(W15-001)  Principal Investigators: Linda Jacobson, BVScMMedVet, PhD, Lauren McIntyre, RVT, BScH; Toronto Humane Society; $15,375

 

Evaluating new drug compounds for treating feline coronavirus. 

(W15-010)  Principal Investigators: Brian Murphy, DVM, PhD, ACVP, Niels Pedersen, DVM, PhD; University of California, Davis; $14,970

 

Diagnosis and treatment of feline Tritrichomonas foetus through target surface antigens. 

(W 15-011)  Principal Investigators: M. Katherine Tolbert, DVM PhD, DACVIM, Emily N. Gould, DVM; The University of Tennessee; $16,000

 

Transdermal mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant in cats with chronic kidney disease. 

(W15-018)  Principal Investigator: Jessica Quimby DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Colorado State University; $10,000

 

Feline liver organoids for the study of liver disease. 

(W15-037) Principal Investigators: Bart Spee, PhD, Hedwig Kruitwagen, DVM; Utrecht University; $25,000

 

Effect of Prazocin on recurrence of feline urethral obstruction. 

(W15-042)  Principal Investigators: Kayla Hanson, DVM, Andrew Linklater DVM, DACVECC; Lakeshore Veterinary Specialists; $9,000

 

A feline tumor necrosis factor inhibitor for feline infectious peritonitis.

(W15-013)  Principal Investigator: Yunjeong Kim, DVM, PhD, ACVIM;  Kansas State University; $23,758

 

Systemic feline coronavirus and its relationship to FIP. 

(W15-026)  Principal Investigator: Gary R. Whittaker, PhD; Cornell University; $24,967

 

Using small interfering RNA for treatment of feline infectious peritonitis. 

(W15-030)  Principal Investigators: Emin Anis, PhD, Rebecca Wilkes, DVM, PhD; The University of Tennessee; $16,500

 

Improving the Feline Reference Genome with PacBio sequencing, a continuation study. 

(W15-008)  Principal Investigator: William J. Murphy, PhD; Texas A&M University; $24,910

 

Phenotypic characteristic of cardiomyopathy in Birman cats. 

(W15-044)  Principal Investigator: Virginia Luis Fuentes, VetMB, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM; Royal Veterinary College, University of London; $10,169

 

Read more about the funded studies here!

 

 

Winn Feline Foundation 

On the Road:

Winn Feline Foundation Symposium

 

The 37th Annual Winn Symposium will be held Thursday, July 2, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, ON, Canada. The program is RACE approved for veterinarians and veterinary technicians for 2 hours of CE.

 

Register For The Symposium 

 

~This year's program includes~

 

Jody Gookin DVM, PhD, DACVIM from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine


 "Understanding the probiotic versus pathogenic role of gut bacteria in kittens with diarrhea"

 

******


 Craig Webb, DVM, PhD, DACVIM from Colorado State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital


 "Feline stem cells as a novel treatment for cats with chronic intestinal disease"  

 

Download the 2015 Symposium Flyer 

Gifts in Action: Sponsor a Research Grant



 

Sponsorship is easy! 

Individual donors, clubs, organizations or companies may sponsor specific projects. When you sponsor a project, your name will be added to the list of the project's supporters on our website. You will receive an exclusive final report at its conclusion.
 

Simply pick one of the projects below seeking sponsors ($250 minimum donation).

 

Go to our website: www.winnfelinefoundation.org

for more information on the project and to make your sponsorship donation online or download a donation form to mail to: 637 Wyckoff Ave., Suite 336, Wyckoff NJ 07481.

 

W15-001: Comparing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to fungal culture for ringworm

 

W15-026: Systemic feline coronavirus and its relationship to FIP

 

W15-030: Using small interfering RNA for treatment of FIP

 

W15-044: Phenotypic characterization of cardiomyopathy in Birman cats

 

 

~ Planned Giving Tip for May~

 

To deduct your charitable donations it is important to keep good records.  Cash donations should be documented with financial records (i.e. a cancelled check, bank or credit card statement, etc.) or a written statement from the charity with its name, the date and amount of your contribution. 

 

More information is available on our Planned Giving page or by contacting Winn.

 

*Honored Donors for April 2015*

Lana Carmelli
Chevron Matching Employee Funds
Elizabeth Gaither
Susan Gingrich
Sydney Goldberg
Anonymous
Richard HoekstraLeslie KempTeespring LIC
Heather MartinCarol McCallumThomas McHugh
Susan MooreKathryn MorrowCharles Nell
Ratna NingOzark Cat Fanciers, Inc.Arnold Plotnick
Frank RowleyTektronix, Inc.Robert/Vicki Thayer
Valerie Wong




   
Coming Up On The Calendar 
For May



Microchip Your Pet Month

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

Foster Care Month


VetVine.com Topic of the Month


Phobias and Anxiety Disorders

Dogs and cats can experience anxiety, fear, and panic. In some instances, this is transient or fleeting (such as fear or panic during a thunderstorm or fireworks). However, some pets may experience more frequent manifestations of anxiety associated with things that they commonly encounter.


Purchases of Feliway or other products through VetVine will help raise money for Winn research.
Thanks to Winn donors, researchers have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of cats. Whether it was an urgent need, a devastating disease or a critical improvement in a cat's quality of life, Winn donations have made a difference. Winn-funded research has led to improvements in cat food, the science behind most vaccines your cat receives, and progress in the fight against FIV, leukemia, diabetes, FIP, heart disease and a host of other illnesses in cats.


For a view of our continuing outreach to cat lovers worldwide, please visit our website, our Facebook page, our Pinterest wall or our blog. To learn more about Winn, please go to www.winnfelinefoundation.org, and to support our efforts please select Give Now.


We are always interested in your thoughts, opinions and feedback. Please let us know what you think of our newsletter and the work we are doing on your behalf. Please feel free to send an email to info@winnfelinefoundation.org. 


Thank you for your continued support.


Winn Feline Foundation Board of Directors