PROJECTS
TIFF is proud to announce that it has selected its grant project for 2008.
A total of 11 proposals were received, and the TIFF Awards Review Committee (comprised of representatives from the veterinary community, education sector, and knowledgeable breeders from the cat fancy) evaluated each proposal for its scientific merit, value to cats, clinical relevancy, soundness of budget and humane considerations to any cats involved in the project. After a thorough review, the Committee rank ordered all of the proposals and presented their recommendations to the TIFF Board.
Based upon the recommendations of the Awards Review Committee, The International Feline Foundation has awarded its 2008 grant to Dr. David Twedt of Colorado State University (in partnership with Dr. Kenneth Simpson of Cornell University) for a project entitled “Investigation of the Role of Bacteria in the Etiology of Feline Pancreatitis”.
PROJECT ABSTRACT
Pancreatitis is reported to occur in 1.3% of the feline population with 2/3 of the cats having chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis occurs in older cats and common signs include chronic debilitation associated with anorexia, vomiting and weight loss. Diabetes mellitus and pancreatic insufficiency may result. The cause of pancreatitis is unknown and treatment modalities have been ineffective to date. Many cats having pancreatitis also have liver disease (cholangitis) associated with chronic inflammation of bile ducts of the liver. The microscopic changes showing inflammation around pancreatic ducts has a similar appearance to that in the bile ducts. In cats the pancreatic duct and bile duct connect before they enter the intestinal tract. It is this ductal relationship that may account for the frequent association of pancreatitis and concurrent cholangitis. We have shown using special staining techniques the presence of bacteria in and around bile ducts of the liver in cats with chronic cholangitis. We suspect that bacteria from the intestine invade the ducts to cause this inflammation. Because of the direct relationship of the duct system of the pancreas and liver we believe similar bacteria may also invade the pancreatic ducts causing chronic pancreatitis.
The purpose of this study will be to investigate the association of bacteria and chronic pancreatitis. Archived histological samples from normal cats and cats with pancreatitis will be examined for the presence of enteric bacteria using special staining techniques. The results of this study will determine the relationship of bacteria to pancreatitis and may provide new avenues for therapy of this disease.Check back later in the year to learn more about the 2009 Grant Application process.
Click here to view the 2008 Grant Proposal Announcement