Research
The RVC is a research-led organisation and carries out pioneering research to improve the health and care of animals. The ACT has funded a number of projects carried out by both undergraduate and postgraduate students from 8-week summer studentships to full PhD programmes. Much of our world-leading work to improve feline health particularly in relation to kidney disease and cardiomyopathy is funded by ACT funded PhD studentships.
Some recent research projects supported by the Animal Care Trust include:
Atypical Myopathy
This is a debilitating and fatal equine disease, with around 75-90% of cases resulting in the death of the horse affected. Currently there is no clinically proven effective treatment for AM, but research taking place at the RVC seeks to change that. The onset of AM is rapid and the disease often appears without warning. They become unable to stand and they die of diaphragm muscle wastage or heart failure, or often are euthanised because of unrelenting pain.
An RVC research team led by Professor Richard Piercy, a world expert in equine neuromuscular disease, is evaluating treatments and causes of atypical myopathy. The team is studying the effect of toxins using cultured cells in the laboratory, thereby avoiding completely any live animal experiments. They will test specific treatments in the laboratory in order to provide much-needed scientific evidence for treatments’ effectiveness, as currently treatments are evaluated purely on anecdotal evidence of their value from the vets and owners of affected animals. The results of their study could be a huge advancement in the prevention and treatment of this horrific disease. Our researchers need investment to keep their studies going so please donate if you can.
Canine Epilepsy
RVC Canine Epilepsy Research investigates canine epilepsy with the aim of better understanding this condition and ways to treat it, in order to improve the quality of life of dogs affected byepilepsy and their owners. The team is led by Professor Holger Volk, Professor of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery, supported by Dr Rowena Packer, Clinical Investigations Postdoctoral Researcher, along with veterinary specialists in training, PhD students, and undergraduate veterinary medicine and science students. The RVC collaborates with epilepsy experts across the world, including those from other veterinary institutions and human medical science to further our understanding of this condition. Donations will support new and ongoing research to help us to find the most effective treatments for epilepsy and the underlying causes of this condition, as well as updates and improvements to our mobile phone app - donate to Canine Epilepsy research.