Winn Feline Foundation
The Winn Foundation is the only nonprofit organization devoted entirely to the advancement of feline health.
2007 Winn Feline Foundation Grants
veterinary consultants helped the Foundation select the best
studies for funding. A total $127,544 was dedicated to
funding eight feline studies. Some of the feline
health research studies include: feline kidney disease,
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) which is the most common
cause of feline heart disease, bird flu in cats, feline
mammary cancer and the administration of drugs using
transdermal gel.Cardiomyopathy Gene Discovered
The Winn Feline Foundation is pleased to announce the identification of a new mutation within the myosin binding protein C gene associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Ragdoll cats. With funding from Winn Feline Foundation, researchers led by Dr. Kathryn M. Meurs of Washington State University, and others at the University of California, Davis, reported that the mutation in the myosin binding protein C gene changes a conserved amino acid and therefore appears to alter the structure of the protein produced by the gene. An earlier study by these same researchers, also funded by Winn Feline Foundation, identified a mutation in this same gene in the Maine Coon cat. However, the mutation found in Ragdoll cats, an unrelated breed, is in a different area of the affected gene, suggesting that these mutations occurred independently rather than being inherited from a common ancestor.
Familial HCM
is a primary myocardial disease also found in human
beings, with a prevalence of 1 in 500 people. It is the
most common heart disease found in cats, affecting
non-pedigreed cats as well as some pedigreed breeds.
Now, thanks to Winn-funded researchers, the first
causative mutations have been identified in cats,
opening the door to improved testing and perhaps targets
for new drug therapies.
Identification of Feline Blood Types
The Winn Feline Foundation is pleased to announce the identification of the DNA mutations that cause the A and B blood types of the domestic cat. The Winn Feline Foundation assisted in the funding of an international research team that included investigators from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Istituto di Zootecnica - Vetogene Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, and the Oy Triniini Company in Helsinki, Finland. Specific mutations have been shown to be 100% concordant with the type A and type B blood groups from cats of various breeds, including Birman, British Shorthair, Devon Rex, and Ragdoll from the United States and Europe. The causative mutation for the third blood type, the rare type AB, remains to be identified, although the research suggests it to be a novel third allele. It will now be possible to identify the major blood groups of the cat with a simple buccal swab test, as well as identification of cats that carry the recessive type B.
For More Information:
Winn Feline website: www.winnfelinehealth.org
Winn Feline Blog: www.winnfelinehealth.blogspot.com
The Winn Feline Foundation is exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Foundation may be deductible for Federal income, gift and estate tax purposes. Winn participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (#10321) and corporate matching gift programs.