Treating animals with cancer is never easy, particularly if your research focuses on osteosarcoma, one of the most devastating forms of cancer in dogs. Even with the most aggressive treatment, most dogs die within a year of diagnosis. But dogs with this type of cancer not only face greatly shortened lives, they must deal with the pain that accompanies this disease
March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day, a day set aside to raise awareness of one of the deadliest infectious diseases of people worldwide. Tuberculosis also is a major health threat to many animals, and is a growing problem in both African and Asian elephants, threatening their long-term health as individuals and as species.
With their boundless energy, enthusiasm and adorable antics, puppies are hard to resist. On March 23, National Puppy Day, a day of celebration for all puppies add to our lives, here are five things to keep in mind when you are considering bringing a puppy into your home.
This past November, Laurie Sullivan and her golden retriever Bowie performed in a freestyle dance event at the World Canine Freestyle Organization North American Nationals. It wasn’t their first time competing there, and it probably wasn’t their most polished performance. However, for Laurie, it was one of the happiest moments of her life.
When Albert Hammond penned his famous song “It Never Rains in Southern California” back in 1972, he probably couldn’t imagine the torrential rains that fell on San Diego this past Sunday, March 6, at the 2016 San Diego K9 Cancer Walk. But the wet weather didn’t stop nearly 500 intrepid walkers from participating in another successful event.
Morris Animal Foundation’s third Unite to Fight Pet Cancer campaign is underway, raising awareness about pet cancer and increasing funding for current and future cancer studies. Cancer remains one of the most common causes of death in dogs and cats. Morris Animal Foundation has been actively engaged in pet cancer research for almost 70 years. Our recent successes include a major discovery of cancer risk genes in golden retrievers and the innovative use of a melanoma vaccine in horses.
In the United Kingdom, an ongoing and growing outbreak of tuberculosis in cows has public health officials worried. Cows can spread the disease to humans through dairy products, and in some cases, direct contact. Badgers are known carriers of Mycobacterium bovis (the bacteria that causes tuberculosis in cattle) and are suspected to be major players in spreading disease in the current outbreak.
Barbee Gennerman remembers the shock of learning that her golden retriever Riley had cancer. “I knew dogs got cancer,” said Barbee. “You just think it will never happen to your dog.”
The hot and humid Florida summers didn’t discourage Brad Ahrens from playing each summer in the swamp behind his grandmother’s house. Dressed up like a safari guide, young Brad was armed with a wildlife guidebook, snake pole, a backpack full of his grandmother’s empty jars, and a healthy love of all things creepy and crawly.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, and gaily colored hearts everywhere, we can’t help but think of love. And who gives us more unconditional love than our animal friends?
A long-time animal rescue volunteer, trainer and animal lover, Jan Hitchborn originally began giving to Morris Animal Foundation after hearing about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study through her local golden retriever rescue group.
As most cat owners and veterinarians can attest, cats are masters at concealing signs of illness, a trait inherited from their wild counterparts. This tendency complicates our ability to determine when our feline friends are in pain.
In spite of a colder than usual day in South Florida, dog lovers joined together to walk through Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek, to raise money to fight canine cancer. More than 250 people and their furry friends participated in the fifth South Florida K9 Cancer Walk on January 24
Talking to Pat Mulvihill, it doesn’t take long to discover her unending love for dogs. Pat has spent her life surrounded by dogs, usually in multiples. She currently has four furry friends at home, a handful to be sure, but Pat wouldn’t have it any other way.
One of the key players in many equine orthopedic diseases is inflammation – a duel-edged sword essential for healing, but detrimental when it goes unchecked. In fact, many of the most devastating illnesses affecting horses have their origin in persistent and excessive inflammatory responses leading to irreversible tissue damage.
Early and effective diagnosis of proventricular dilatation disease, also called macaw wasting disease, is crucial in preventing transmission of infections to other birds. Continued PDD research by the Texas A&M team includes ongoing improvement of diagnostic testing strategies and accuracy as well as working on preventive measures.
Spillover, a phenomenon where a virus or other pathogen moves from one species to another, is a popular news topic and a growing problem not only in people but also in wildlife. Canine distemper virus is a growing health challenge that is “spilling over” into different species of animals and placing many of them at risk.
Debi Grunnah has been a long-time supporter of Morris Animal Foundation. She became aware of our mission when her veterinarian made a donation to the foundation in her horse’s name after her horse passed away, and Debi received a memorial card from the foundation.
With fewer than 45 individuals left worldwide, the Javan rhinoceros is thought to be the rarest large mammal on earth. Researchers funded by the Morris Animal Foundation are in a race against time to protect the health of the remaining animals and give them a chance at population recovery. What seems to be standing in their way is a deadly parasite spread by a common fly.
Dr. Josh Stern didn’t know that an after-school job as a kennel boy would lead to a lifelong career in the service of animals. Cleaning cages led to taking dogs to their veterinary appointments, and eventually his doctor of veterinary medicine degree.
