November 3, 2025 – As the year winds down, it’s a good time to look back on the discoveries shaping animal health in 2025. Thanks to generous supporters like you – and your donations that fuel this science – researchers are uncovering breakthroughs that change how we understand, treat, and prevent disease in animals. Here are some of the most impactful Foundation-funded studies, plus a preview of what’s ahead in 2026.
Hemangiosarcoma Treatment Targets – Researchers identified several proteins elevated in hemangiosarcoma cells compared to normal cells, revealing promising precision therapy targets. This team is continuing their work through a new grant in the second phase of the Hemangiosarcoma Initiative.
Feline Blood Clots – Two commonly used blood thinners were found to be equally effective for cats with heart disease–related blood clots. These findings allow veterinarians to better tailor treatment and reflect overall progress in managing feline heart disease.
White-Nose Syndrome – A research team developed a new laboratory system to study white-nose syndrome and identified key mechanisms of infection. The work provides critical insight for developing treatments to protect bat populations from this deadly disease.
Equine PPID – Hormone levels linked to PPID differed between Welsh ponies and Quarter Horses, helping explain breed-specific risks for this common age-related disorder.
Immunology for Osteosarcoma – A clinical trial exploring osteosarcoma treatment found that certain immune biomarkers were linked to longer disease-free intervals in dogs, improving understanding of how the immune system affects cancer outcomes.
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study – Projects using data and samples from the Study are revealing important findings, including links between lymphoma and environmental exposures, protein content in dog food and aggression, and more.
Obesity Treatment in Cats – Researchers tested fecal microbiota transplants to manage feline obesity and reported encouraging results. Their published protocol now provides veterinarians with a framework for safely applying this treatment.
Obesity Gene in Dogs – Researchers linked a gene (also found in humans) to an increased risk of obesity in Labrador retrievers. This critical finding will help veterinarians and pet owners better tailor weight-loss plans to individual dogs to improve their overall health.
Canine Pain Management – Combining a bupivacaine incisional block with systemic morphine provided better postsurgical pain relief for dogs after castration than either medication alone.
Chronic Kidney Disease – Researchers developed and validated a urine test to measure a biomarker of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. This finding will soon progress to clinical trials and has the potential to help veterinarians monitor CKD in cats without the need to draw blood.
Rabies Vaccines – Building off their previous work, researchers confirmed that the rabies vaccine is safe for use in puppies and might have additional beneficial health effects beyond rabies protection.
Helping Koalas – A triage system and clinical indicators were developed by researchers to guide treatment decisions for koalas affected by wildfires.
Human-Cat Bonds – While the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown strained human-cat bonds, researchers found that these relationships showed resilience and recovery as restrictions lifted and routines returned to normal.
Fur Seal Pup Survival – Scarcity of food has led to changes in how South American fur seal mothers forage and eat, affecting the growth of their pups. Researchers found that male and female pups adapted differently to these changes in diet, which could influence the long-term survival of pups.
Toxic Contamination – The presence of coal-ash contamination was found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, threatening the wildlife, pets and people of this region. Coal ash contains metals shown to act as neurotoxins and/or carcinogens in both wildlife and humans.
Stress in Horses – Researchers found that some aspects of horses’ ability to cope with stress were related to inhibitory control capacities, laying the groundwork for future research to further understand the link between impulsive behavior and ability to handle stress in individual horses.
Science to Save Animals Starts With You
Science never stands still – and neither do we. Your support powers the research that helps animals live longer, healthier lives. Together, we can change the odds for pets facing cancer, protect wildlife from emerging diseases, and improve health for animals everywhere. Your donations keep this vital work moving forward.