Pets at Home has launched £100,000 feline pancytopenia research fund. Pancytopenia is a rare bone marrow condition where the number of blood cells rapidly decrease, causing serious illness.
The launch of this fund follows the distressing spike in cases of pancytopenia in cats last year. Pets at Home was disappointed that a definitive cause was unable to be found following an extensive investigation by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and last year committed to funding further studies in order to improve knowledge within this area.
The fund will provide financial support to academics, institutions and researchers who are seeking to better understand the condition, identify causes, and improve treatment options. Through this initiative, Pets at Home hopes to find long-term solutions to feline pancytopenia and help prevent the devastating loss of so many beloved pets.
Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at The Pets at Home Vet Group, said: “For us, pets come first and always will. We supported the FSA’s investigation throughout but flagged at the time that we believed further research was required into this disease and its causes. As a result, we are launching this £100,000 fund to accelerate research into feline pancytopenia and improve understanding within this area.
“We recognise the pain and upset that this illness has caused, and our hearts go out to all the families whose cats suffered during the pancytopenia outbreak last year."
Dr Karen Humm, associate professor in transfusion medicine and emergency and critical care at the Royal Veterinary College, said: “We hope that this funding will facilitate important research and lead to an improved understanding of this disease, supporting vets in providing pets and their owners with the best possible care and minimising and informing responses to any future outbreaks.”
The feline pancytopenia research fund is now open for applications until the 31st May 2022. All interested parties should contact pcpgrant@petsathome.co.uk for more information.
