Cat Health Network

The Cat Health Network (CHN) is a collaborative effort by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, (AAFP) American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), and Winn Feline Foundation (WFF). The goal of the CHN is to improve feline health and welfare by funding focused feline health studies. The CHN is the first step in developing a species-specific collaborative relationship for research.

The Cat Health Network recently approved several research initiatives that will be conducted in laboratories both here in the U.S. and abroad. To assist them in their research, the investigators will receive samples of feline single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs. SNPs are small variations from the common feline DNA sequence that can be used as markers to track down genes responsible for genetic diseases. Hill’s Pet Nutrition donated the SNPs, valued at about $1 million, to the Morris Animal Foundation in 2008 in an effort to jump-start the research initiatives.

The investigators, and their research projects, include:

• Stephen J. O’Brien, Ph.D, National Cancer Institute, “Dense Physical Linkage Map Using SNP Array for Rigorous Assembly of the Feline Genome Sequence”
• William J. Murphy, PhD, Texas A&M University, “Mapping Feline Disease Phenotypes Using Interspecies Hybrids”
• Gerhard Wess, University of Berne, “Genetic Analysis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Maine Coon Cats”
• Tosso Leeb, Be, University of Berne, “Genetic Analysis of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in Maine Coon Cats”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genetic Estimation of Introgression Between Domestic Cat and Wildcat Populations”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Studies of Brachycephaly in Domestic Cats”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Construction of a High-Resolution Map for Assisting Cat Genome Sequence Assembly”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Hypokalemic Polymyopathy in Burmese cats”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Studies for Progressive Retinal Atrophies in Cats”
• Robert A. Grahn, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy in Sphynx and Devon Rex Cats”
• Hannes T Lohi, PhD, University of Helsinki, “Identification of a Novel Gene for a Familial Reflux Nephropathy in Ragdoll Cats”
• Yaiza Forcada, DVM Dip. ECVI, University of London, “Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Susceptibility Genes for Diabetes Mellitus in Cats”
• Bianca Haase, Dr.med.vet, The University of Sydney, “Bodyweight: Investigation of Genetic Aspects in an Experimental Cat Population”
• Bianca Haase, Dr.med.vet, The University of Sydney, “Osteochondrodysplasia in Cats”
• Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD, North Carolina State University, “Genome Wide Association of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in the Sphynx Cat”
• Niels C. Pedersen, DVM, PhD, University of California/Davis, “Genetic susceptibility to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Heritable Lymphosarcoma in Cats”
• Barbara Gandolfi, PhD, University of California/Davis, “Genome-Wide Association Study for Autosomal Dominant Curly Hair in Cats”
• Robert A. Grahn, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Rapidly Progressing ADPKD in Persian Cats”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study to Identify Type AB Blood Group in Domestic Cats”
• Robert A. Grahn, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Siberian Cats”
• Barbara Gandolfi, PhD, University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Deafness for Dominant White cats”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Association Study for Catnip Response in Domestic Cats”
• Clare Rusbridge, BVMS DECVN PhD MRCVS, Neurovet Ltd, “Genome-wide Association Study for Heritable Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) in Burmese Cats”
• Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., University of California/Davis, “Genome-wide Characterization of Recombination and Recombination Hotspots in Cats”
• Niels C. Pedersen, DVM, PhD, University of California/Davis, “Genetic susceptibility to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)”

The Cat Health Network is the first initiative launched under the broader Animal Health Network, which was founded to bring together like-minded groups to facilitate greater research in a collaborative effort.

“This initial research into cat health and welfare is just the start,” stated Michael Cathey, AVMF Executive Director. “It is our hope that from the Cat Health Network will spring future projects that will broaden our scope to the benefit of all animal species.”