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AHT Win Award I EGS Plea I Gala Open Day I Order of Merit I Exciting Event I Marathon I Star Dog I Genetics Centre I CKD I Trade Stands | News Archive
AHT Win Inaugural International Award
Developing a genetic test to identify dogs carrying a devastating neurological condition has netted the AHT an international award.
The Companion Animal Welfare Award, from the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), recognises significant innovations or advances for the welfare of companion animals.
Our canine genetics team received the award in recognition of its research into the genetics of cerebellar ataxia in Italian Spinones. Dogs born with the condition show no symptoms at birth, but usually within the first weeks or months of life, clinical signs appear.
Cerebellar ataxia makes dogs develop an unsteady gait, loss of coordination and poor balance. Symptoms become worse during the first year of life and in most cases dogs are put to sleep before they are one year old on welfare grounds.
Our scientists have developed a genetic marker test which allows breeders to make informed decisions about which dogs to select for breeding. This minimises the risk of producing affected puppies. Continued use of this test could mean that this distressing disorder, in time, will be eradicated.
Oliver Forman, Genetics Research Assistant at the AHT, who submitted the project to UFAW for consideration, said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised for the work we’re doing looking at genetic conditions but there is still a lot to do. The prize money will enable us to undertake further research and hopefully, in time, improve the health and welfare of other breeds of dogs.”
James Kirkwood, Chief Executive and Scientific Director of UFAW, said: “UFAW works for substantial advances in animal welfare through promotion and support of high quality science and education. This is why we have created the Companion Animal Welfare Award.
“The standard of applications in its first year was extremely high and the AHT’s genetics work really stood out as an excellent example of the application of cutting edge science to tackle a current and major challenge - genetic welfare problems in dogs. We’re delighted to select them as winners.”
The AHT was one of three winners to receive the Companion Animal Welfare Award in 2009. Each was awarded £1000. Prizes were awarded on 22 June at UFAW’s International Symposium on ‘Darwinian selection, selective breeding and the welfare of animals’.
Plea for information on Equine Grass Sickness
Our equine grass sickness surveillance scheme needs information from equine vets and owners across the UK.
With a mortality rate of more than 90 per cent, we are desperate to find a way of stopping this devastating illness. More than 100 years after EGS was first indentified in Scotland, there is still a desperate lack of basic knowledge regarding the disease.
Our scientists, along with others from the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund, have launched the first even nationwide surveillance scheme.
Funded by The Horse Trust, the surveillance scheme aims to analyse trends revealing where and when cases occur across the UK. As well as giving an accurate picture of the true welfare impact of EGS, the database developed through the scheme will also play an important part in future EGS vaccine development.
Georgette Kluiters, grass sickness research assistant at the AHT, said: “April to June is predominantly the time when the number of EGS cases peak in the UK. We had notification of just five cases in the first quarter of 2009, but the number of cases in the second quarter has shown a sharp 10-fold increase, with more than 50 reports so far.
“We’re appealing to owners whose horses have suffered with the illness, or vets who have treated horses with the illness at any time throughout the year, to let us know. It is never too late to submit a case - your information is vital.”
If you have treated or own a horse suffering from EGS, you can help with this important research simply by completing a short questionnaire at www.equinegrasssickness.co.uk. All information submitted will remain confidential.
AHT Gala Open Day
After the great success of the Animal Health Trust’s last Gala Open Day, this year’s date is definitely one to put firmly in your diary!
On Sunday 20th September, at our grounds in Lanwades Park, Kentford, near Newmarket, the gates will be opened to the public for a day of fun and entertainment for all the family – including the dog!
The day will kick off at 10am, with a dog walk around the AHT grounds and nearby heath, with displays and trade stands opening the show soon after. Entertainment this year includes the K9 Freestyle Dog Dancing Display, Eagle Heights Raptor Display and the Essex Dog Display Team. There is also agility, where you and your dog can have a go too, fancy dress competition, face painting, a bouncy castle, a magician and a racehorse simulator!
On top of all this is the show’s highlight: the Companion Dog Show, featuring a special class of ex-AHT patients.
A whole range of fresh food and drinks will be available throughout the day.
Trade stalls are still available to anyone wanting to sell crafts, produce or any other exciting bits and pieces.
We are also on the lookout for good quality items for our Tombola Stall so if you have any unwanted gifts or nick-nacks lying around, please drop them in to us and help make this day a success!
AHT to Inherit from Order of Merit
The British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) annual Order of Merit competition has come to an end and thanks to a very special racehorse, the Animal Health Trust (AHT) stands to gain over £7,000.
The Order of Merit is an exciting initiative aimed at supporting the best races over hurdles and fences during the winter season, by encouraging increased competition amongst the top equine athletes and providing a narrative for racing fans to follow. A points-based system which covers 69 races run between October and April, horses accrue points and at the end of the season, the horse with the most points will win the Order of Merit.
For the time this season, a new element was introduced in which 20% of the prize money is donated to a charity of the owner’s choice. and champion racehorse owner Clive Smith chose to donate 10% each to the AHT and Greatwood, a charity for retired racehorses. Back in 2007, Clive Smith’s 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup winning hero, Kauto Star, won the Arena Leisure National Hunt Racing Award at the AHT’s UK Equestrian Awards but this time it was the turn of his Champion Chaser, Master Minded who picked up a total of 60 points.
Master Minded, a six year old horse with a big future ahead of him, finished second in the league table, scooping his team of owner, trainer, jockey and stable staff a massive £75,000. This means that the AHT and Greatwood will each receive £7,500 as the nominated charities.
The Order of Merit winner was Voy Por Ustedes, a tough horse with a lot of determination!
The AHT was very excited to be involved in the Order of Merit and to have been chosen as one of benefitting charities. Chief Executive Dr Peter Webbon said, “Master Minded is nothing short of a phenomenon and the AHT is absolutely delighted to be associated with a world class chaser. Our genuine thanks go to Clive Smith and his team.”
Place your bets and raise us cash!
On Saturday 27th June, the July Racecourse in Newmarket will see the Animal Health Trust Gala Race Day taking place.
This event is being held as a fundraiser for the AHT and, as well as a full day of exciting races and the chance to win big, guests can enjoy a wonderful day’s hospitality in the Paddock Marquee with a Champagne reception, three course meal, and afternoon tea.
All tickets for the hospitality package have now been sold but if you would like to simply attend the races, tickets can be purchased at £22 by calling 0844 579 3010.
Great Success for AHT Marathon Runners
Huge congratulations go out to the five Animal Health Trust (AHT) supporters who took part in, and completed, the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 26th April.
Two members of AHT staff competed in the race – Maire O’Brien, Senior Secretary and Administrator, finished in 4 hours 18 minutes and Oliver Forman, Genetics Research Assistant took 4 hours 22 minutes.
Three AHT supporters also ran. Robert Webbon, son of AHT Chief Executive Dr Peter Webbon, completed the 26-mile run in 3 hours 29 minutes, and Laura Hudson, whose dog has been treated in the charity’s Small Animal Centre, finished with her close friend and running partner Maire in 4 hours and 18 minutes. Our third and final runner was animal lover Jolene Hammonds, who finished in 6 hours and 17 minutes.
Around £102,400 was raised by the five which will enable to AHT to continue its vital work and research towards the health and welfare of dogs, cats and horses.
Make your Dog a Star
There’s probably not a single person among you who hasn’t seen an advertisement on television recently for sofa firm dfs. Well, guess what? Your dog could be the star of the next one!
The Animal Health Trust has teamed up with furniture giants dfs to offer one lucky donor the chance for their pet to appear in an upcoming commercial. The advert will be screened nationwide and shown at peak viewing times – the perfect chance to show off your pooch to the Great British public!
Click here to go through to the competition site which is now live.
Millions of Dogs to benefit from New Research
The launch of the Kennel Club
Genetics Centre at
the Animal Health Trust
The eradication of inherited disease in dogs has taken a huge step forward with the launch of a new canine genetics centre.
The Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) will accelerate research into inherited canine disease. It aims to create further diagnostic tests which, together with breeding advice, will improve the health and welfare of generations of dogs.
Because of the small gene pool in purebred dogs, inherited diseases resulting from single gene mutations are more likely to occur than in their cross bred cousins. This can lead to significant welfare issues. There are more than five million purebred dogs in the UK alone and many of these will benefit from the findings of the Genetics Centre.
Over the next five years, the Centre aims to investigate 25 inherited diseases. It will develop, where possible, screening tests to determine affected and carrier dogs that can be performed with simple mouth swabs. In deciding which diseases to investigate, the joint Kennel Club and AHT team will look at their impact on the health and welfare of dogs, but also on the support of breeders and access to data and samples.
Dr Peter Webbon, Chief Executive of the AHT, said: “We’re delighted to work in partnership with the Kennel Club on this important welfare issue. Our level of skill and expertise within this field is unparalleled and the new centre enables us to extend our current range of DNA tests.
“We hope, in time, this will equip breeders with essential information so they can plan successful breeding strategies to avoid the birth of affected dogs, and ultimately, to eliminate disease from breeds at risk.”
Dr. Cathryn Mellersh and Dr. Sarah Blott, two of the AHT’s genetics experts, will lead the Centre. Both have been fundamental in identifying defective genes and developing screening tests which identify a dog’s genetic status and minimise the risk of producing affected puppies.
The Centre will also introduce new approaches in dog breeding. One major advance will be estimated breeding values (EBVs). These will enable whole dog populations to be evaluated for inherited disease – even if individuals haven’t been scanned or DNA tested themselves.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: “The Kennel Club is pleased to support research which improves the health and happiness of dogs. Working in partnership with the Animal Health Trust means we can start to tackle the problem of inherited disease much quicker.
“We have already made significant investment in this area, and are now delighted to step up the scope of this research. It is a very real possibility that through this Centre we will be able to eradicate certain inherited diseases in some dogs.”
Dr Ed Hall, President of BSAVA, said: “Inherited disease is one part of a complex issue involved with breeding pedigree dogs.
“I personally welcome any efforts to improve our current understanding of the area and trust that the Kennel Club Genetics Centre will make massive progress in the next five years in order to enable owners to make informed breeding decisions and, in time, to reduce the effect of inherited disease.”
The Kennel Club Genetics Centre at The Animal Health Trust will be launched at Crufts on The Dog Health Stand at 12.15pm, Thursday 5 March.
Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Clinical Trial
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common diagnostic finding in elderly cats. The disease is characterised by its chronic, progressive nature and it is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in older cats. The AHT and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health are running a clinical trial on the disease and need cases! For more information, or if you think you have a cat who can help in the study, please click here
Trade Stands at the AHT Gala Day - 20th September 2009
A great day out for the whole family, including the dog! Exciting ring displays, Companion Dog Show, Dog Walk, Fancy Dress Competition, Dog Agility, Tombola, trade stands and much more.
If you would like to have a trade stand or food stall at this event please download your application form here or call Christine Gird on 01638 555665 for more information, or email christine.gird@aht.org.uk
