Sphynx Calendar 2011
Update March, 2011
The 2011 calendar sold for a little over 2900 Euros. $ 4100 were donated to the foundation. Part of this amount (170 Euros) was donated by Annemieke of cattery Delphi, who still sells seasonal and other Sphynx cards to support this research. All calendar fairies, buyers, owners of the beautiful pictures,...: a huge thank you!
Like before all proceeds will go to the HCM research in Sphynx, through the Winn Feline Foundation. You can find more info on this project on the previous calendar pages of 2008, 2009 and 2010.
If you want to help spread the news, feel free to place this banner on your website or forum:
Sphynx calendar 2012
Because a large part of our gains goes to the printing and shipping of calendars to Europe, we would like to add an extra page next year, that has coupons for cat/Sphynx related products. A coupon can be bought for $ 100 and can advertise a product for a reduced price, eg. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact us!
Pictures needed for the next calendar! Resolution of approximately 2500 x 3500, horizontal pictures.
Blood samples needed for HCM research. More info is to be found when you click on the banner underneath. Please spread the word!
Update on the DNA research, August 2010:
Dr. Meurs and her lab members have been very busy this summer! To date they have ruled out 10 genes, which include the Maine Coon, Ragdoll and the 8 most common genes in humans. They will be moving to 8 new genes that are a subclass, which includes some of the genes that also cause IM (inherited myopathy). Dr. Meurs is very hopeful to find a gene soon and gave many compliments to the sphynx community. She said that we have been one of the most proactive groups and sent a huge thank you. She also said that she has been receiving a lot of samples lately and to keep up the good work. Samples are still needed, so if you have any kitties that have turned 8 years or older and have no signs of a heart condition (murmur) please send a sample. Also, positive samples are always needed.
Here is a link to the paperwork and how to submit a sample.
Update on DNA research, November 2010:
Hello gang,
After Dr. Meurs’ webinar this week, I started brainstorming ideas for getting her the rest of the blood she needs. Seems it’s going to have to come from the pet buyers, and the need for a DNA marker isn’t incentive enough for the general public. But... free stuff will get their attention every time! I have the resources to offer free stuff to people who donate their sphynx’s blood, and you all have contacts, pet buyers, sphynx people you can share this with. Let’s get this information out there. As I recall, Dr. Meurs needs the blood by the end of the year in order to get the funding, right?I’m attaching a graphic I created that you can send out to all your sphynx people, but for those who don’t get attachments – you can get the details here:
http://www.sphynxforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=328Explanation by Dr. Meurs on how HCM works, with pictures:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/video/sphynx/index.htm
Basically, anyone who donates blood to Dr. Meurs study between now and 12/31/10 will get their choice of a K9closet.com Gigi Collection Smoothie Collar or a custom-knitted heart sweater by Sami’s Sphynx Sweaters, as long as they are a registered member of www.sphynxforum.com. So, if you have anyone donate blood, tell them to register on the forum, too, so they can participate in the promotion. All the details and instructions on how to enter can be found there.
Please spread the word! Let’s overwhelm Dr. Meurs with more samples than she knows what to do with! Let’s have Heidi at K9 Closet and Sami’s Sphynx Sweaters regret agreeing to donate collars and sweaters because they have to give away so many!!
Update January 4th, 2011:
The following is from Dr. Meurs:
We have had a fabulous response to our request for samples and they have really been coming in! The company that makes the feline array is running behind schedule so we still have time to collect both affected and unaffected samples and would still really like them! We will start looking at some new genes next week so we can keep progressing while we wait for the array.
Also , we really need some heart tissue samples (just a few) from affected and unaffected cats. If someone is unfortunate enough to be putting their HCM affected cat or older (at least 8 years of age) to sleep it would be extremely helpful if we could ask the veterinarian to save a small section of the heart for us? It does have to be specially preserved in a solution from us, but we could fedex the solution for next day arrival to your veterinarian. At this point we have ruled out many genes but have not found anything and being able to exam the tissue may be very helpful. We don't need very many so if even 3-4 people can help us it may be enough!
Thank you!
Kate
Update March, 7, 2011
The following is from Kate Meurs, head of the HCM research at Washington State: (NOTE: USE THE SAME SAMPLE PAGE USING EDTA TUBE FOR 1-2 ML DRAWN FROM UNAFFECTED CATS)
I am pretty close to being able to run the array but I need about 20 more unaffected cats! They really need to be at least 8 years of age and have been seen by a veterinarian in the past year (an echo is nice but not required).
If they are any place near Pullman Washington, and would like to come here, I may be able to echo them for free but they need to be at least 8 years of age--- people should contact me directly.
We can still use samples from affected cats as well, but our biggest issue is unaffected, we really need to have 48 for the analysis to be able to tell us anything and we are short about 20!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
KateUpdate March 14: 8 more samples needed!
