Did you know that Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice donates monthly to support the Morris Animal Foundation? The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. This year we have committed to sponsoring two Morris Animal Foundation studies explained below.
Investigating a Novel Drug Therapy for Heart Disease
Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at the University of California, Davis, are conducting a clinical trial to find out if the drug rapamycin can reverse negative heart changes associated with subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) in dogs.
SAS is one of the most common congenital heart defects in dogs and causes physical and functional changes in the heart, heart arrhythmias, and frequently results in sudden death. No current medical therapy prolongs the lifespan of dogs with severe SAS beyond 4 to 5 years of age. The team hopes the novel rapamycin therapy may reduce disease severity and improve outcomes and quality of life for
dogs with this devastating disease.
The team will enroll 36 patients with severe SAS, with 12 each randomized into three study groups (placebo, low dose, and target dose of rapamycin therapy). Once enrolled, each patient completes a six-month follow-up over three visits. All dog patients are receiving the highest quality cardiology care for free which has resulted in some animals getting treatment that pet owners otherwise could not afford.
Assessing a Promising Therapy for Osteoarthritis in Cats
Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at the University of Minnesota are studying the effect of blocking a key protein to help improve the quality of life for cats living with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a common, progressive joint disease that causes pain and mobility issues for cats. Currently, no treatment exists that can safely reduce pain and stop disease progression. The team hopes their findings will be a step toward solving this problem.
The University of Minnesota team wants to know if blocking a protein called soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) can reduce pain and inflammation in osteoarthritic cats. Previous studies in humans have shown a possible association between sEH and the prevalence and progression of osteoarthritis. Other studies by this team in horses and mice indicate that blocking sEH can decrease joint pain and protect the joint surface from further damage.
The team is actively enrolling cats into the study. So far, 9 cats have passed the screening requirements; 24 cats are needed for robust statistical analysis. The team also is establishing a feline cell culture system to learn more about how sEH blockade provides relief of joint pain and sEH’s role in the health of chondrocytes, the cells that make up the surface of the joint that are damaged in patients with osteoarthritis. Chondrocytes are responsible for cartilage formation and play a role in healthy bone development and repair.
If successful, findings from this study will provide critical data on the efficacy of sEH blockade as a novel therapy to help improve mobility and reduce pain for thousands of cats living with osteoarthritis.
This study focuses solely on cats of any breed with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. However, results may be applicable to other species that develop osteoarthritis, including dogs, horses, and even humans.
At Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, we are committed to supporting families and their aging or terminally ill pets through online quality of life consults and in-home palliative and hospice care. Part of this commitment extends to supporting our veterinary colleagues who are tirelessly working to learn more about diseases that impact the quality and duration of life for our beloved pets.