AVMF and EveryCat Foundation unite to spearhead feline health research

AVMF proudly joins EveryCat Health Foundation in advancing feline health through groundbreaking research grants. Thanks to the generous estate gift from the Donny Baker Trust and collaborative efforts, these grants support critical studies addressing various facets of feline health, from acute kidney injury biomarkers to innovative therapies for chronic gingivostomatitis.

“We are thrilled to be working with the EveryCat Health Foundation to advance feline research. Considering my own professional background, I know how important research is to foster the health of cats, and I recognize that funding is more and more of a challenge to secure. It is wonderful that a donor bequeathed us these funds, so that we can support not only experienced researchers, but also new investigators. This partnership is very exciting for the AVMF,” said Dr. Lori Teller, AVMF Board Chair and AVMA immediate past president.

With an illustrious history spanning 56 years, the EveryCat Health Foundation has been at the forefront of advancing veterinary expertise in all areas of feline health. Through rigorous evaluation and selection processes, a total of 13 studies have been funded in the current grant cycle, addressing critical issues such as acute kidney injury, chronic gingivostomatitis, and inflammatory bowel diseases in cats.

“We are so thankful for this support from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, which will enable critical work in a greater number of relevant cat health studies in 2024,” says Jackie Ott Jaakola, Executive Director EveryCat Health Foundation.

The following studies were recently approved and funded through a generous donation from AVMF:

  • EC24-089: Analytical validation and storage stability of potential serum biomarkers of acute kidney injury in cats. Principal Investigator(s): Miranda Tong, Gabriele Rossi; Murdoch University, Australia. $11,340 (Joan Miller New Investigator Award, Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation)
  • EC24-118: Exploring the role of lactic acid bacteria-derived exosomes combined with RGD hydrogel as a therapeutic option for feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS): an in-vitro study. Principal Investigator(s): Maria Soltero-Rivera, Krzysztof Mariusz Marycz; University of California, Davis. $34,525 (Sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Foundation)
  • EC24-139: Evaluation of an insect meal product (larvae of Hermetia illucens) as a possible protein source in a cat diet. Principal Investigator(s): Livio Penazzi, Liviana Prola; University of Turin, Italy. $20,542 (Sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Foundation)
  • EC24-151: Fecal proteolytic activities and therapeutic value of prokaryotic serpins in inflammatory bowel diseases of the cat. Principal Investigator(s): Juan Hernandez, DVM, PhD, DACVIM & DECVIM (Internal Medicine), Oniris VetAgroBio Nantes; Moez Rhimi, PhD, Dr. habil, MICALIS Unit of INRAe, Jouy-en-Josas, France; $45,201 (Sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Foundation)
  • EC24-154: Optimization and testing of a novel mRNA vaccine for feline herpes virus. Principal Investigator(s): David Verhoeven; Iowa State University. $50,000 (Sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Foundation)

About EveryCat Health Foundation

EveryCat Health Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1968 that supports studies to improve cat health.  Since inception, the Foundation has facilitated nearly $10 million in health research for cats at more than 30 partner institutions world-wide. For further information or to support feline health research, please visit everycat.org.

Animal health research is crucial to the future of veterinary medicine, and your support is crucial to the AVMF. Give today and multiply our impact in supporting the professionals who are advancing medicine and the well-being of animals.