Autumn 2009 - Animal Health Trust

Animal Health Trust
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Issue 67 I Autumn 2009
In this issue:
- Saving the Suffolk Horse
- Paralysed Dog Walks Again
Left: Snoopy the bear
enjoys her new-found
sight and above: Claudia
Hartley examines the
eyes of a moon bear
- New AHT Lecture Theatre
- AHT Scientists Scoop Award
- Become a Friend of the AHT
Sight for Sore Eyes
Here at the Animal Health Trust, we’re really excited about our new Sight
for Sore Eyes campaign, which can help us give the gift of sight to animals
everywhere.
AHT ophthalmologists Claudia Hartley and David Donaldson recently
restored the eyesight of rescued moon bears in China and a lioness in
Romania thanks to an incredible new piece of portable equipment. With
this equipment, we can restore the sight of bears, lions, horses and many
more animals, both here in the UK and across the world.
Claudia and David travelled to the Animals Asia Foundation’s Moon Bear
Rescue Centre in Chengdu, China to perform the innovative and lifechanging surgery.
They operated on ten bears in total, extracting cataracts in some cases
and correcting vision in others.
The moon bears are rescued from torturous bear bile farms, where their
bile is milked for use in Chinese medicines on a daily basis. They are often
kept in coffin-sized cages for years and denied food and water as this
increases their bile production. It is believed this practice causes many
health issues for the bears. Along with liver cancer, which is responsible
for the death of 44% of rescued bears, eye disease is also common.
In order to pay for this equipment, we need to raise £35,000 and for this
we need your help. You can make a donation to the campaign and find
out more at our dedicated website www.sightforsoreeyes.org.uk or by
using the enclosed donation form. Or, if you want to do something
amazing, take part in our China Challenge 2010.
This 15 day trip includes a trek along the Great Wall, a visit to a panda
sanctuary and a day with the Moon Bear project For more information on
this adventure, and to find out how you can take part, contact Christine
Gird on 01638 555 648 or email christine.gird@aht.org.uk
Animal Health Trust
Lanwades Park
Kentford
Newmarket
Suffolk CB8 7UU
Telephone: +44 (0)1638 751 000
Fax: +44 (0)1638 750 410
Email: info@aht.org.uk
Website: www.aht.org.uk
Registered Charity No 209642
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2 I Animal Health Trust News
Racing Events Keep the
Pounds Rolling In
In June, we held a Gala Race Day
at Newmarket’s July course to raise
vital funds. Over 6,500 people
descended upon the course and we
raised approximately £50,000!
AHT Helping Safeguard a Piece of Equine History
The AHT genetics team has recently become involved with the
Suffolk Horse Society (SHS) in an exciting new project to try and
safeguard the future of the ancient Suffolk horse.
The number of Suffolk horses, known affectionately as the Suffolk
Punch, has been declining rapidly. In 2008, there were fewer than
300 breeding horses in total, all of whom could be traced back to
one horse from 1768.
On the day, which was attended by
racing legend Lester Piggott, our
guests were treated to a wonderful
three course lunch in the Aphrodite
Enclosure. Sitting right near the
winning post, the area was a wave
of excitement as they saw their
horses triumph and win them
money – which they then spent in
our main and silent auctions!
The Suffolk Punch is listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the Rare
Breeds Survival Trust. To date only the support of dedicated breeders
and help from the SHS has saved this majestic breed from extinction.
We are carrying out research to help develop a revolutionary
sustainable breeding programme for the horse. The small size of the
Suffolk Punch population means, in time, there will be a reduction
in genetic diversity. This could ultimately lead to health problems.
Dr Sarah Blott, one of our scientists leading the project, said: “Our
local breeds are part of our history and culture, it is important to
preserve them for future generations. The Suffolk horse is one of
England’s most ancient breeds but is now much less numerous than
it used to be. As a rare breed it is vulnerable and our project aims to
help breeders make the best use of genetic knowledge in their quest
to conserve the breed.”
This new project will enable breeders of Suffolk horses to minimise
the risk of genetic problems occurring.
Working together with the SHS, we want to assist breeders in taking
a proactive and positive approach to ensuring the long-term future of
this historic breed.
Then, in July, The Lady Vestey, an
Honorary Vice-President of the
AHT, held a charity Race Evening
on behalf of the Trust at the Royal
Windsor Racecourse. The event
was attended by HRH The Princess
Royal who spoke passionately
about our work and also drew the
winning tickets for the raffle. The
evening was another great success
and over £80,000 was raised.
Sarah added: “We want to make sure that the Suffolk horse will be
around for another few hundred years to come!”
It costs £10,000 every day for the AHT to find new ways of curing and preventing animal disease
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3 I Animal Health Trust News
Fizz Finds Help to Walk Again
When Fizz the six-month-old collie cross was happily playing with her owners at
home, they had no idea an awkward jump would leave her completely paralysed
and unable to walk.
Fizz, from Sittingbourne, Kent, had leapt up excitedly at her owners on the sofa,
misjudged the jump and fell awkwardly, landing hard on the floor.
“Fizz started screaming uncontrollably like nothing we could have imagined,” said
her owner, Simon Tomlinson. “She was physically twisted and petrified.”
Mr Tomlinson rushed her to their local vet, where she spent three days before being
admitted as an emergency to the AHT.
Vet Elsa Beltran examined Fizz and recognised she needed an MRI scan to establish
what was going on. The scan showed that the bone at the very top of the spine
which joins on to the skull had not formed properly, and there was a weakness
there. Elsa and Dr Luisa De Risio performed surgery to pin the bones back together.
A small piece of bone was taken from Fizz’s leg to assist with the stabilisation of her
neck.
The surgery went well, and after almost three weeks of intensive physiotherapy at
the AHT’s Small Animal Clinic, Fizz was allowed home. She was able to stand and
walk with assistance. Once home, Fizz’s owners had to use a harness to hold her
weight and encourage the movement of her legs. They gave physio at home four
times a day. Recovery was steady but slow. Regular visits back to us and a further
x-ray showed the healing was complete.
More than a year on, and Fizz is able to walk, run and enjoy life again.
Top: Fizz as a puppy
middle: post-surgery
aged 6-months and
bottom: Fizz now,
nearly two years old
“Whilst Fizz still walks in what looks like an awkward manner, her movement and
mobility are stable, and she is such a happy little person,” said Mr Tomlinson. “Fizz
is full of character and is very affectionate. She is very special to us.”
He went on to add: “We are so grateful for everything the team at the Animal Health
Trust has done for Fizz, and for us, since she was first referred in March 2008 – we
cannot thank you enough. You gave Fizz her life back.”
Christmas Cards and Gifts from the AHT
Believe it or not, Christmas really isn’t all that far away, so why not start your
shopping early whilst helping one of your favourite charities at the same time?
This year, we’ve got a fantastic range of Christmas cards and gifts, with
something to suit everyone in the family! We’ve got puzzles, fluffy toys and
cuddly keyrings for the kids and tea towels, jute shopping bags and books for
the grown ups. We even have supplies for your four-legged-friends, with leads,
bowls and squeaky toys!
You can find more information on the enclosed Christmas gift flyer or the full
range of merchandise at www.aht.org.uk.
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Animal Health Trust News I
A Friend of Animals is a Friend of the AHT!
Here at the AHT, we’re about to launch our new look Supporter Schemes, so there
will be more ways for you and your friends to support us!
As a Friend of the AHT, you will receive an exclusive Friend pack
with an AHT car sticker, pen and AHT literature. You will also
get a 10% discount on all our merchandise and free entry to
our annual Gala Open Day with a special tour of the grounds
and hospitals.
All we ask in return is that you sign up to our scheme to become a regular donor.
For as little as £2 a month you can become a Friend and receive all these benefits.
Your regular donation can help us do so much. We can treat more animals with
neurological problems like Fizz the puppy, develop exciting new screening tests
for inherited diseases, diagnose lameness problems in ponies and much more.
For more information on the Friends scheme, or to find out more about other ways to help the AHT,
email fundraising@aht.org.uk, call 01638 555 648 or visit www.aht.org.uk
Button Busts UK Record!
There weren’t quite 101 – but it was pretty close!
Thankfully, there were no Disney villains around as new Mum
Button brought her record litter of Dalmatian puppies to the AHT
earlier in the year.
Nicola and Adam Morley from Leicestershire brought the litter of
18 six-week-old puppies to us to have Brainstem Auditory Evoked
Response (BAER) hearing tests carried out. Dalmatians have a
genetic predisposition to deafness, so little spotty dogs are often
seen scampering around our hearing clinic!
Button, who also gave birth to an amazing 15 pups just over a year
ago, is now thought to hold the UK record for the biggest
Dalmatian litter. A spokesman for the Leicestershire Dalmatian
Club said he had never heard of a larger litter.
Testing the hearing of all 18 pups took AHT Neurology Technician
Julia Freeman four hours, each pup being identified by their
coloured collars or markings with nail varnish.
The hearing tests produced a very good result for the Morley
puppies – generally 1 in 5 Dalmatians will be completely deaf in
one or both ears, but just a single puppy of Button’s 18 turned out
to have hearing in only one ear.
“What a day!” said Julia. “I’m absolutely thrilled with today’s
outcome – it really is a fantastic result! It’s on days like this when
it really strikes me how lucky I am to have such a brilliant job.”
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5 I Animal Health Trust News
AHT Scientists Scoop International Award
The AHT’s success in developing a genetic test to identify
cerebellar ataxia in the Italian Spinone has netted us 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.
Dogs with cerebellar ataxia show no symptoms at birth but can
develop an unsteady gait, lose coordination and have 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.
Oliver Forman, Genetics Research Assistant at the AHT, said: “It’s
fantastic to be recognised for the work we’re doing looking at
genetic conditions. 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: “The AHT’s genetics work really stood out as an
excellent example of the application of cutting edge science.
We’re delighted to select them as winners.”
We were one of three winners to receive the Companion Animal
Welfare Award in 2009. Each was awarded £1000 for their
achievements.
AHT Wins in Order of Merit
The AHT was lucky enough to win
thousands of pounds in The British
Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) annual
Order of Merit competition.
The Order of Merit is an exciting pointsbased initiative aimed at supporting the
best races over hurdles and fences during
the winter season. It encourages increased
competition amongst the top equine
athletes and provides a narrative for racing
fans to follow.
For the first time this season, a new
element was introduced in which prize
money is donated to a charity of the
owner’s choice and champion racehorse
owner Clive Smith chose to donate 10% to
the AHT.
Smith’s horse Master Minded, a six year
old with a big future, finished second in the
league table, scooping his team of owner,
trainer, jockey and stable staff a massive
£75,000. This means that we received a
fantastic £7,500!
Above: Oliver Forman accepts his award and right: Italian Spinones
New AHT Lecture Theatre
The transformation of the AHT Visitor’s Centre into a purpose built
learning centre began in March. We will be throwing open its doors
ready for use in September!
We will have a 60-seat lecture theatre which will enable us to expand
our professional development programmes. It will also enable us to
host breed clubs, societies and school group visits. The theatre will
have state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, tiered seating, breakout areas – all these modern facilities in a traditional setting, full of
character!
If you would like to book our lecture theatre, or simply find out more,
email fundraising@aht.org.uk or call 01638 555 648
Chief Executive Dr Peter Webbon said,
“The AHT is absolutely delighted to be
associated with a world class chaser. Our
thanks go to Clive Smith and his team.”
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6 I Animal Health Trust News
Strangles Diagnosis in 30 Minutes a Real Possibility
The AHT’s ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’ campaign has taken a new step towards
eradicating the disease. The campaign reached its fundraising target of £250,000
in just two years, demonstrating how important, to horse owners, getting to grips
with this terrible disease is.
By 2008, money donated from the general public, along with funding from The
Horse Trust, allowed scientists at the AHT to develop a diagnostic blood test to
screen for exposure to the infection. Since then more than 6,700 samples have
been tested and many new outbreaks averted.
The success of this diagnostic work has attracted further funding from the Wellcome
Trust in the form of a Translation Award, the first of its kind to be awarded to a
veterinary project. The award of more than £580,000, will enable our scientists to
develop another diagnostic test that detects minute quantities of DNA specific to
the strangles bug. Their goal is to reduce the time taken to diagnose the disease and
ultimately produce a point-of-care test that vets can use on site to get a diagnosis
in 30 minutes. Earlier diagnosis will allow owners to isolate horses sooner and
minimise the spread of infection.
Top: AHT scientist
Andrew Waller works on
the Strangles diagnostic
test and bottom: Nasal
discharge is a symptom
of the disease
Professor Andrew Waller, Head of Bacteriology at the AHT, said: “This technology
has massive potential and is likely to be of great benefit for the identification of
other diseases too, of both veterinary and clinical importance. Without the money
raised through the ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’ campaign, we wouldn’t have made
as much progress. On behalf of horses and horse owners worldwide, I’d like to
thank everyone who has donated.”
Fabulous Fundraisers!
One supporter who has made a difference to the ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’ campaign is
Danielle Bott who, along with friends, has raised well over £1,000.
Danielle, from Kent, wanted to raise money for the campaign after a local outbreak of
Strangles. She organised a pub quiz, a roadshow with local vets giving information and advice
about the disease and a huge raffle. Huge thanks also go to The British Horse Society who,
thanks to an exciting sky diving challenge, brought in over £6,000 for the fund!
Raising money for another cause is Lynn Bailey, whose beagle Murphy suffered from Steroid
Responsive Meningitis (SRM), also known as Beagle Pain Syndrome.
Our canine genetics team is carrying out research into this debilitating inherited condition. Our
research aims to identify the genetic mutation(s) responsible for this condition and develop a
DNA diagnostic test that breeders can use to eliminate this debilitating disease from their
breed.
Murphy battled against the SRM disease for more than half of his short life. The disease causes
severe neck pain, fever, loss of appetite and lack of coordination. Lynn decided to run the
Great Run 10k in Sunderland earlier in the year to help raise money for our research into this
disease. So far she has raised a phenomenal £3,459, with promises of more to come!
Our genuine thanks go to Lynn, Danielle and everyone who raises us the cash we so
desperately need. You are all wonderful!
Top: Danielle Bott and
her horse and below:
Lynn Bailey and her
beagle