An Interview with Dr. Niels Pedersen Journalist and Winn board member Steve Dale recently interviewed two of the world's foremost FIP researchers on his WLS-AM radio show. If you missed the broadcast, you can listen to Part 1 online, with Dr. Niels Pedersen. Then be sure to listen to Part 2 of the FIP special interviews, with Dr. Diane Addie.
Dr. Niels Pedersen
Tufts Conference Focuses on FIP The 2009 Tufts Canine & Feline Breeding & Genetics Conference was held Sept 11-12 and featured a half-day of presentations on FIP. If you missed the conference, you can read the speakers' notes online.
Left to right: Dr. Susan Little, Dr. Leslie Lyons, Dr. Jerry Bell, Dr. Niels Pedersen, Dr. Tim Gruffydd-Jones
Did You Know? FIP seems to have appeared in the 1950's, coinciding with changes in the lifestyle of pet cats.
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About the Winn Feline Foundation
The Winn Feline Foundation was founded by the Cat Fanciers' Association to create a source of funding for medical studies to improve cat health and welfare. Winn has funded over $3 million in health research for cats at more than 30 partner institutions world-wide. The Winn Feline Foundation is exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Foundation may be deductible for Federal income, gift and estate tax purposes. Winn participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (#10321) and corporate matching gift programs. A copy of the Foundation's IRS 990 form is available by contacting our Executive Director.
Let's Defeat FIP!
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a baffling and important disease of cats caused by infection with a coronvirus. About 1 out of every 200 new feline cases seen at veterinary university clinics are cats diagnosed with FIP. Despite the fact that the disease is common, veterinarians are often faced with serious dilemmas because it is not easy to diagnose and there is no proven effective treatment. The most frequent victims are kittens, and the disease is almost always fatal.
In November 2005, Winn announced the creation of the Bria Fund to accept donations for FIP research. Bria was a nine month old Birman kitten who died from FIP in April, 2005. Bria had the good fortune to live with Susan Gingrich and her husband, James Shurskis, in Harrisburg, PA. Susan is a sister of Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and founder of the Center for Health Transformation. The Center provided a generous contribution to establish the Bria Fund.
Winn has been funding FIP research for decades and has helped researchers make important breakthroughs. Understanding of the disease is advancing. However, much work remains to be done, especially in the areas of diagnostics and treatment. You can help by making a donation to the Bria Fund today.
Bria Fund Grant Awards
In 2008, the first Bria Fund projects were announced. To date, over $57,000 has been made available for FIP research projects around the world:
08-004: Molecular basis of feline coronavirus pathogenesis & development of FIP in cats - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
08-006: Identification of the cellular receptor for feline coronaviruses - Utrecht University, The Netherlands
08-036: Blood parameters potentially associated with susceptibility to feline coronavirus in Birman cats - University of Milan, Italy 09-027: Determining genetic correlates of FIP susceptibility - University of Sydney, Australia
Winn board member Dr. Melissa Kennedy is an Associate Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee and an expert on infectious diseases. Dr. Kennedy has published an extensive body of research on feline coronavirus and FIP. She has also written an excellent review article on FIP that is available online.
Winn board member Dr. Melissa Kennedy is an Associate Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee and an expert on infectious diseases. Dr. Kennedy has published an extensive body of research on feline coronavirus and FIP. She has also written an excellent review article on FIP that is 