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Morris Animal Foundation Announces New Studies Focused On Equine Colic

Morris Animal Foundation, a leader in advancing animal health, recently announced the selection of five new equine health studies to receive funding in 2022. The studies focus on equine colic (abdominal pain), an important and potentially life-threatening disease of horses.

“Colic consistently ranks among the top health concerns of horse owners and veterinarians,” said Dr. Janet Patterson-Kane, Chief Scientific Officer. “We decided to focus on this topic in this year's equine call for proposals to advance our understanding of intestinal disease associated with colic and ultimately assist in improving outcomes for horses around the world.”

Estimates suggest that four to 10 percent of horses will experience colic at least once in their lifetimes, and the actual incidence may be even higher. Although the majority of horses can be successfully treated on the farm, approximately 10 percent require referral for advanced care, including surgery.

The Foundation's Large Animal Scientific Advisory Board reviewed all submitted grant applications and selected, based on scientific merit and impact, the studies with the greatest potential to save lives, preserve health and advance veterinary care for horses with colic. Equine colic studies funded for 2022 include:

Studying Intestinal Inflammation
Two research teams will take different approaches to investigate the interaction between inflammation and gut motility, to assist in developing methods of preventing ileus (reduced gut motility) after colic surgery. These approaches could dramatically assist recovery and shorten hospitalization times.

Understanding Risk Factors for Colic Secondary to Transportation
Researchers will look for colic risk factors associated with transportation to develop better management recommendations for horses requiring transport.

Helping Underserved Communities Recognize Early Signs of Colic
Researchers will develop an educational program for horse owners in underserved communities in Colombia to improve early recognition of colic, a key component of successful treatment.

New Prognostic Test for Postoperative Complications
Researchers will search for biomarkers to identify horses at higher risk for postoperative surgical complications as a first step toward a new prognostic test.

‘Tremendous Animal Advocate’: Betty White Remembered By Morris Animal Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation is remembering the life and incredible impact of Betty White, President Emeritus, after news of her passing on Dec. 31 at the age of 99. An award-winning actress, White devoted her life to improving the lives of animals and was part of the Morris Animal Foundation family for over 50 years, supporting its mission to advance the health of animals around the world. She served as a Trustee, Board President, Board President Emeritus, donor, spokesperson and other roles too numerous to mention.

“It is hard to imagine a world without Betty in it. She was a tremendous animal advocate who tirelessly supported the work of Morris Animal Foundation to improve the health of animals globally. All of us at the Foundation are mourning the loss of this amazing woman,” said Tiffany Grunert, President/CEO of Morris Animal Foundation. “We will miss her wit, her intelligence and, most of all, her love of animals and commitment to advancing their health. She was a true inspiration to our staff, her fellow trustees and all of our supporters.”

Morris Animal Foundation is thankful for Betty's service to our organization and for helping us to advance animal health. Highlights of her tenure at the Foundation include:

Serving as a Trustee from 1971-2013, as Canine Division Vice President from 1973-1982 and as Board President from 1982-85.
Ensuring the Foundation continued to move forward in its mission to improve the lives of animals through her active participation in scientific discussions.
Hosting events on behalf of Morris Animal Foundation, including the Gorillas in the Mist motion picture premiere.
Raising awareness and encouraging thousands to support our work as our national spokesperson.
Sponsoring more than 30 animal health studies to improve the health of cats, dogs, horses and multiple species of wildlife, including California sea otters and mountain gorillas.
Establishing the Betty White Wildlife Fund.

“Betty was always an active participant in our scientific review process. She often said that our scientific advisory boards were the engines that drove Morris Animal Foundation,” said Bette Morris, Morris Animal Foundation Board Trustee Emeritus and wife of the late Dr. Mark Morris Jr. “If they are the engines, then she certainly was our organization's heart.”

White remained committed to helping animals throughout her life. One of her last acts of philanthropy for Morris Animal Foundation was to establish the Betty White Wildlife Fund, largely in response to the catastrophic effects of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill on marine life. Since Betty's initial gift, others have contributed to and grown the fund and it has been used as a first line of defense in critical wildlife emergencies.

“Betty always put the animals first. In the 1990s, she suggested pain management should be an area of future research and funded the first few studies,” said Dr. Rob Hilsenroth, former Morris Animal Foundation Executive Director and a longtime friend of Betty White. “Today, if a veterinarian performs an elective surgery, like a spay or neuter without using pain management, she/he could face a malpractice charge. You can thank Betty White for that revolutionary change in the way we practice all phases of veterinary medicine today.”

If you would like to honor Betty White, please consider making a memorial gift to the Betty White Wildlife Fund at Morris Animal Foundation to benefit at-risk animals around the world.

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Researchers Seek Behavior Clues To Better Equine Health

A grimace, a shift in gait or stance. Subtle behavioral signs can tell owners and handlers a lot about the health and welfare of their horses, ponies, mules and donkeys. And that's what three newly funded equine behavior and health research teams are counting on.

In one study, researchers at Utrecht University, Netherlands, are validating an easy-to-use questionnaire to help owners recognize and monitor behavioral signs of chronic osteoarthritis pain in their horses. Osteoarthritis in horses often goes unrecognized and untreated. This new tool may help owners and veterinarians better monitor treatment effectiveness and pain progression, and inform quality-of-life decisions.

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Next, University of California, Davis, researchers are trying to find better ways of recognizing pain in mules. The team is using a combination of facial expressions (called a grimace scale) and Smart Halter, a new technology to monitor physical signs of pain, including heart rate and respiration.

They hope these easy-to-use tools will improve pain management for mules, helping veterinarians, sanctuaries and nonprofit organizations care for these increasingly popular animals.

Finally, researchers at the University of Bologna, Italy, are working to improve the welfare of unbroken horses transported over long distances. Finding a reliable way, including behavioral cues, to distinguish between broken (well-handled) and unbroken (unhandled) horses, will ensure these animals are transported in accordance with strict regulations based on their status, reducing their mental and physical distress during travel.

Morris Animal Foundation has long recognized the connection between behavior and the health and welfare of animals. Identifying specific behaviors associated with pain and stress, especially at early stages, will help guide interventions and improve the well-being of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys everywhere.

Proposals Related To Colic Research Sought; Funding Available

Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals for research studies on equine colic, with a specific focus on the intestinal tract. Grant applications are due by Monday, September 27, 2021, 4:59 p.m. EST., and will be funded in the 2022 fiscal year.

Proposals should advance the knowledge and understanding of one or more of these areas for colic: risk factors, prevention or early detection, feeding and nutrition, and pathophysiology. The Foundation is not accepting new proposals or resubmissions on other topics under this request for proposals.

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Morris Animal Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit organizations worldwide that funds health studies benefiting horses, cats, dogs, llamas, alpacas and wildlife. The Foundation currently is funding 150 studies encompassing a broad spectrum of species and diseases, with approximately $3.3 million in new research funds disbursed annually.

Each year, the Foundation opens four separate calls for its major funding areas – equine, feline, canine and wildlife. This year's equine topic is based on responses to recent surveys of both horse owners and veterinarians which indicated colic as the area most in need of further research.

To be considered for funding, applications are reviewed and rated based on scientific rigor and impact for veterinarians and horse owners by the Foundation's scientific advisory board, comprised of leaders in the international equine research community.

Grant types awarded by the Foundation include Established Investigator, First Award, Fellowship and Pilot Study.