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AFFAIRS OF THE HEART
 More
scans and samples are needed to keep the studies going. See the below
email from Kate Meurs to Judy Gunby. Let's all do our best to help
support this very important effort. The form is provided below. You
can either click the link and print the form from your browser, or right
click and select "Save Target As". If you have difficulty getting the
form, please contact
Tom Lewis for assistance.
Click here for the form in Adobe Acrobat "pdf" format.
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HI Judy,
Thanks to your help we have collected a pretty good supply
of samples from affected HCM Sphynx cats but would like to
collect a few more if possible. If we find something
abnormal we will want to look at as many abnormal cats as
possible. Could you possibly send out one more reminder to
your group? I have attached a form for them to take to their
veterinarian. At this time we really need HCM positive cats
particularly.
Thank you very much!
Kate Meurs
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Judy Webb Gunby
Key Coordinator
Sphynx HCM Research Fund
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Janet Wolf with The Winn Feline Foundation
recently sent me, as key coordinator for Sphynx HCM research, the
following excerpt from grants funded in February of 2007. This
information will also be posted to the Winn Feline Foundation website
next month. We can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing our efforts have
really paid off! Kudos to all those who participated in fund-raising for
this project. Without your efforts, this research would never have taken
place!
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Among the grants funded by the Winn Feline
Foundation at its February meeting was the following:
Molecular evaluation of the feline myosin heavy chain gene in
Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest cats and Sphynx with familial hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy
Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Washington State University; $31,550
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of
heart disease in the adult cat. Affected cats are at risk of sudden
death, breathing difficulties or development of a blood clot.
Increasingly, feline HCM is inherited, with examples noted in the Maine
Coon, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat and Sphynx breeds, among others. The
researcher has demonstrated that HCM is associated with a mutation in
the myosin binding protein C gene in the Maine Coon cat. In human
beings, the disease is commonly associated with a mutation in one of
several genes for heart muscle proteins, most commonly the myosin
binding protein C and myosin heavy chain genes. The research team has
collected pedigrees, medical information and DNA samples from Ragdolls,
Norwegian Forest cats and Sphynx with familial HCM. They performed an
initial study of affected cats, and determined that the Maine Coon
mutation is not present in these breeds. The researchers now hypothesize
that a mutation in the myosin heavy chain gene is associated with the
development of HCM in one or all of these breeds. The objective of this
study is to evaluate this gene in both affected and unaffected cats for
a causative mutation. [This study was largely funded by the efforts
of Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat and Sphynx breeders. This study was
also supported by the Ricky Fund, a fund for the study of feline
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy established by Steve Dale in memory of his
cat, Ricky.]
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Judy Webb Gunby
Key Coordinator
Sphynx HCM Research Fund
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The first week in December, Dr. Kate Meurs will
submit a grant to the Winn Foundation for an initial evaluation with the
Sphynx DNA of the most common gene that causes familial hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy in humans, the myosin heavy chain gene. Two other breed
organizations, the Ragdoll and Norwegian Forest Cat are interested in
doing similar projects and she is suggesting that she submit one grant
for all three breeds in order to defray some of the costs of this
research for the first year - mostly involving materials and technical
support.
ny scans and pedigrees that you have not already sent to Kate, please do
so. We need to get them sent this next week BEFORE the first week in
December, which is the deadline.
Concerns over the $7500 raised for Sphynx HCM research will be addressed
if this research is shared. I am certain that any money raised on behalf
of the Sphynx will be matched by the other two breeds, and money left
will continue to sit in our fund for future research for the Sphynx. As
soon as I receive information with regards to this, I will post it to
the group.
I know many of you are very happy that this is finally coming to
fruition. We have worked very hard to get this research underway!
Judy Webb Gunby
Key Coordinator
Sphynx HCM Research Fund
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Update: Nov 1, 2006
Dr. Kate Meurs recently sent me an update of
her receipt of ultrasounds on October 17, 2006:
"We now have about 10 HCM positive scans. I sent out blood sample kits
to them and received 8 back so far. This should be enough to start, but
it will be important to have as many as possible to test to help confirm
if we actually find something so please keep encouraging people to
contact us."
KEEP THE ULTRASOUNDS COMING!!! ANYTHING THAT IS NOT CONFIRMED HCM WILL
GO TO THE OTHER CARDIAC RESEARCH WHICH DR. FOX IS DOING FOR US!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR COOPERATION.
Judy Webb Gunby
Hilary Helmrich
We have nearly enough money now (around $7300.00), which has been raised
over the last eight months on behalf of the Sphynx. This effort was
made, and contributed by, many Sphynx breeders internationally in order
to apply for a grant through The Winn Feline Foundation. This grant is
to be for research to find the genetic marker for HCM in the Sphynx.
Many breeders have participated in this effort by sending to Kate Meurs,
DVM, copies of pedigrees and ultrasounds taken of their cats’ hearts.
However, only one ultrasound sent to her confirmed a diagnosis of HCM.
Hilary explained that, because there were insufficient confirmed HCM
cases submitted, application for a grant to find a genetic marker for
HCM in the Sphynx cat is not justified at this time.
-
So far, the research has shown
that the Sphynx has a DNA abnormality of its own that is different
from samples of other breeds, including the Main Coon, for which a
genetic marker for HCM has been identified.
-
Dr. Meurs’ research so far has
indicated that the Sphynx may have two types of cardiac problems.
One may be HCM, and another may be what we are now calling “early
onset HCM.” This “early onset” could actually be something entirely
different.
-
Dr. Meurs’ special laboratory is
set up to study HCM specifically. Therefore, she will ask Dr. Phil
Fox (a leading veterinary cardiologist and pathologist at the Animal
Medical Center in New York City) to look at the samples that have
been submitted that were not hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and try to
explain what the early onset “HCM” really is. This will be done at
no cost to breeders.
Dr. Meurs has asked that everyone be
encouraged by the findings so far, and be encouraged to continue to send
their ultrasound reports, pedigrees, and blood samples to her, as she
will forward those that are not HCM to Dr. Fox. We were reminded to
encourage the setting up of this database, as it is designed to enable
the scientific study into the workings of the Sphynx heart and will be a
benefit to all breeders. Plus, this research is being done at no charge.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Sphynx -
an update from Judy Webb Gunby
by Hilary Helmrich, with permission
There appear to be two forms of HCM which appear
in Sphynx. One is an early onset variety which strikes young kittens
before the age of six months. The other is a late onset type that is
seen in mature adults. Several samples and pedigrees have been sent to
Kate Meurs. In looking at the samples, only one cat showed the type of
HCM she has been working on. The other cat samples that were received
were something else entirely, probably other forms of HCM caused by
other genes.
Dr. Meurs ran the sample of the cat with HCM against her panel of Maine
Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Ragdoll samples, and it is different
from the Maine Coon gene mutation that has been made into the test. The
Norwegians and Ragdolls were different as well.
The other cat samples are not the same as the ones Dr. Meurs has been
working on. She is collaborating (at no charge to the Sphynx breeders)
with Dr. Phil Fox who is one of the foremost cardiac pathologists in the
world) to determine what the cardiac problems of each of the other cats
were. They may be other forms of HCM (there are 10 different forms in
the human) and Dr. Fox should be able to tell her which form each cat
had.
Your scans and samples from the "non-HCM cats" have definitely NOT been
rejected. They are under study by Dr. Fox. They may just be a form of
HCM that has not been under study yet. Remember that only one gene in
one breed has been identified. The Sphynx are now providing NEW
information for the researchers.
The information gained by studying the "unknown" samples will be very
important because it can lead to identification of other gene
abnormalities that will lead to specific tests in the Sphynx.
Dr. Meurs is going to send a proposal to Winn for their February meeting
which will discuss the Sphynx cardiomyopathy specifically and request
money to continue her studies. She would like as many samples, echoes,
and pedigrees as the breeders can provide. So, continue to send. There
is no criteria for getting the grant in February that says that the
sphynx has to be the same as the Maine Coon gene. In fact, it is
important that researchers find as many of the gene abnormalities as
they can and the Sphynx are important BECAUSE the ones they have seem to
be different than others. Age is NOT an issue but is interesting because
it shows there are two different types.
MORE
THAN MONEY IS NEEDED!!
If you have
been involved with HCM and one of your Sphynx, whether the outcome was
good or bad. We need a copy of the cat's medical records. Dr Kate Meurs
will be collecting all available information relating to Sphynx and HCM
to include: PEDIGREES, MEDICAL RECORDS and/or AUTOPSY reports of HCM
affected Sphynx cats, as well as those of Scanned CLEAR Cats. ALL
INFORMATION WILL BE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL! Please forward, or have your
vet forward the information to:
Kate Meurs, DVM
Washington State University – CVM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science
Pullman, Washington 99164
Her email address is:
meurs@vetmed.wsu.edu
Her fax number is:
509-335-0880
Please note - this is NOT a dedicated fax
and you will have to use a cover sheet addressed to Dr. Meurs.
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THE NAKED TRUTH
SPHYNX DNA RESEARCH
LESLIE LYONS, PH.D.
We were
fortunate that Dr. Lyons was in attendance at our meeting in Reno. She
has agreed to launch an entirely different leg of research of the Sphynx
that would be completely free to breeders.
First, she would like to know how many Sphynx breeders there really are
worldwide and how many litters of kittens have been registered in the
last few years in all associations. This is something we, as breeders,
can tell Leslie.
Many breeders believe that the hairlessness of the Sphynx could be
related to various health issues, such as skin quality, dentition, and
nails. Dr. Lyons has agreed as to the possibility, and is willing to
investigate the relationship of these qualities, possibly with a
questionnaire to be filled out by the breeder/person submitting the
report, which would cover whether the cat was completely hairless, has a
chamois coat, full coat, or other factors. Questions concerning skin
quality such as degree of oils produced would be another factor, and so
on. She suggested that buccal swabs could be sent in to her, along with
a pedigree and other information on each cat that would be useful in
setting up a database for study.
The
CFA standard for the Sphynx cat is that it must have an
“APPEARANCE of hairlessness.” However, for this research, it is
necessary to categorize the hairlessness of each cat so that the
hairless factor, as well as other circumstances and conditions
of each cat, can be denoted. Our form not only allows the
breeder to categorize the hairlessness of each cat, but also the
hairlessness “expression” of each cat, as altered by modifiers
and environment, including hormones.
In order for your cat(s)/cattery
to be part of this research, simply:
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Fill out the "Swab
Submission
Form"
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Attach copy of pedigree
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Place each cat's name on
envelopes containing buccal swab or Q-tip
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Mail to Leslie Lyons, Ph.D.
at the address below.
At this time, only submit cats
from F-3 forward, and 8 months of age or older.
Dr. Leslie A. Lyons
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
Telephone: 530-754-5546
Fax: 530-752-1358
felinegenome@ucdavis.edu
Instructions for Collecting Buccal
Cells for DNA Testing of Cats
1. Before collecting sample, make sure that the cat has not
nursed or had anything to eat or drink 30 minutes prior to
collecting the sample.
2. Sample one cat at a time. If samples are to be collected from
several cats in the same session, complete steps 1-6 for one cat
before sampling the next.
3. Fill out the submission form and print.
4. Use 2 double ended cotton swabs. Place swab head against the
inside of the cheek and gums, swirl vigorously 8 – 10 times. Use
both ends of the cotton swabs.
5. Wave cotton swab in the air for 20 seconds to air dry.
6. Place cotton swabs into paper envelope and seal. Write the
cat’s name on the outside of each sealed envelope. Do not wrap
swabs in plastic wrap or seal in plastic bag.
7. Place all samples, and identification forms into one
envelope. Mail via:
US mail delivery OR Overnight courier(FedEx, UPS, DHL):
Dr. Leslie A. Lyons
Cat DNA Testing
SVM:PHR, 1114 Tupper Hall
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Lab e-mail:
felinegenome@ucdavis.edu
web:
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/
This project would be paid for by Dr. Lyons’ research lab and
her NIH grants. There would be no cost to breeders.
MORE DATA IS NEEDED!!
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