Animal Health Trust

www.aht.org.uk

We find new ways to save the lives of horses, dogs and cats
Our vets and scientists develop new vaccines and diagnostic tools to help horses, dogs and cats survive disease and injury.  For example, we developed a blood test which enables owners to know if their horse has been exposed to Strangles and may be a carrier. These horses can then be isolated so they don’t spread the infection. We are currently trying to develop a vaccine to combat equine grass sickness.

 

We cure lameness in horses
We are experts in equine orthopaedics. Barney, a working hunter pony, came to us suffering from severe back pain. Our vets identified the source of his pain as an injury to the upper cannon region of his hind legs - he had a big hole in his right ligament. Barney underwent surgery and is now fit and well, jumping and showing with added enthusiasm.

 

We treat thousands of dogs and cats in our world class clinics
Our specialist vets diagnose and treat a variety of conditions including cancer, epilepsy, blindness and severe skin allergies. We are at the forefront of veterinary medicine and we always pass on our knowledge to other vets and to the public through training, presentations and published papers.

 

We use our knowledge of genetics to save foals from fatal conditions, to reduce disease among pedigree dogs and to save endangered breeds
We are at the forefront of genetics, a rapidly developing field of diagnostic and preventative medicine. For example, after years of research we developed a DNA test to identify horses which carry the genetic mutation which is responsible for Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS). Sadly, all foals which are born with this condition die. Thanks to this test there need never be a foal born with the condition again.

We have also developed numerous DNA tests which detect serious brain and eye conditions in many popular breeds of pedigree dog. Successes include hereditary cataract in the Boston Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier; primary lens luxation in over seventeen breeds including the Jack Russell, Tibetan and Parson Russell terrier breeds, cerebella ataxia in the Italian Spinone; and episodic falling and ‘curly coat and dry eye’ syndromes in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Recently, we have used our knowledge of equine genetics to devise an optimum breeding programme to secure the future of the Suffolk horse, an endangered breed.

 

We restore sight to blind animals
Our ophthalmology unit is the biggest and best in Europe. We treat glaucoma, cataracts, lens damage and many other eye problems. Morris, an abandoned blind Welsh pony came to us for cataract surgery. He was completely blind in both eyes but our eye experts carried out surgery and were able to give him back sight in both his eyes.

 

We even treat bears, lions, seals…
Our vets are often asked to take on special assignments across the world. They have restored the sight of a lioness in Romania, rescued moon bears in China, rescued dancing bears in India, a white tiger and a dolphin in Tenerife and even a one-year-old wallaby called Little Big Foot!

 

And are now tackling animal cancer as never before
Sadly, every year many horses, dogs and cats suffer from cancer. We are constructing a new purpose-built centre so that we can give our cancer patients the best possible care, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. With our scientists working hard to learn more about the molecular biology behind these cancers, especially those similar to cancers which affect humans, we have embarked upon what is perhaps our biggest challenge yet.

Key facts about the Animal Health Trust

• The AHT sees approximately 4,000 dogs and cats and 750 horses that have been referred by vetinary practices across the UK
• It specialises in surgical treatment of brain tumours and has the largest department in the UK dedicated to neurological problems in companion animals.
• In ophthamology, the AHT has made considerable advances in the treatment and elimination of eye disease in dogs and cats.
• Scientists, having recently developed a diagnostic blood test, are developing a vaccine against the infectious, and sometimes fatal, horse disease, Strangles.
• Clinicians have pioneered the use of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to diagnose and improve the treatment of tumours and common cancers.

www.aht.org.uk

Animal Health Trust - Registered charity number 209642