Heartbeat - Summer 2018

Summer 2018

State of the VMTH 2017-2018

The hospital’s more than 120 board-certified faculty and staff veterinarians, along with a team of 350 highly-trained staff members, saw more than 60,000 patient visits for the year. The 133 members of the Class of 2018 were trained in each of these patient visits, and our 115 house officer veterinarians (residents, fellows, interns) gained experience in 34 specialty disciplines. Our clinicians are innovators of some of the most cutting-edge procedures in veterinary medicine. Our hospital has more specialty services than any teaching hospital in the country. Many services saw caseload increases to capacity-serving levels.

See highlights

Veterinary Hospital Staff Awards

Chief Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Jane Sykes and Hospital Administrator Joy Hoover recently hosted the 2018 hospital staff awards ceremony. Faculty and staff gathered to recognize colleagues for their outstanding efforts and achievements.

“You are all outstanding, highly appreciated individuals and we would like to thank you on behalf of the entire VMTH for all that you do for the hospital and the broader community,” Dr. Sykes said. “Without you, our staff, we would not have a clinical program in which others can learn, teach, provide patient care and develop new knowledge.”

Veterinary Hospital Launches Free Public Educational Series

The VMTH has launched a public educational series of lectures on animal health topics. The series—entitled “An Evening with Vet Med”—features on-campus seminars once a month that are free and open to the public. The lecture series is geared toward both large and small animal owners interested in learning the latest in caring for their four-legged family members.

Surgery for Disc Disease Helps Return Dog to Mobility

Roxie, a 12-year-old female Shih Tzu, was having trouble moving her hind legs, to the point of becoming partially paralyzed. After being referred to the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service, an evaluation of Roxie showed her to have an arched posture, avoided moving her neck, and had some incoordination in her hind legs. She also had decreased conscious proprioception (awareness or sense of one’s own body positioning) in all of her limbs. The neurologists found Roxie’s neck muscles to be tight, and her neck seemed painful. Further tests revealed Roxie had intervertebral disc disease and would need surgery.

Field Service Treats Retired Police Horse

Have you ever wondered where police horses end up when they retire? Most are adopted out to private sanctuaries or rescue organizations, often times being visited by their former partners. The T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation on the outskirts of Davis houses eight of them. Operative for more than 20 years, the Glide Foundation has 200 acres of pasture for the horses. Recently, a team from the UC Davis veterinary hospital treated one that has quite a past.

Welcome New Leadership and Clinicians

Dr. Mary Beth Whitcomb, DVM, MBA

Dr. Mary Beth Whitcomb has officially commenced her appointment as Interim Director of the Large Animal Clinic, effective July 1, 2018 for a 1-year term. After earning her BS in 1992 and DVM in 1996 at UC Davis, Dr. Whitcomb completed an equine internship at Las Colinas Veterinary Clinic in Irving, Texas and a fellowship in large animal ultrasound and cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. Dr. Whitcomb joined the faculty at UC Davis as a lecturer in equine ultrasound in 1999 and is currently a professor of clinical large animal ultrasound. She served as section head for Large Animal Ultrasound Service for 14 years and is chair of the Charles Heumphreus Memorial Lecture committee. Dr. Whitcomb completed an MBA at UC Davis in 2013. As interim director, she will be responsible for ensuring the educational, patient care and client/referring veterinarian service programs of the Large Animal Clinic (including operational, fiscal and facilities issues) are aligned with the hospital’s mission and strategic plan, and all hospital and applicable university policies.

Dr. Joao Soares, DVM, M.Sc., Ph.D., DACVAA

Dr. Joao Soares has joined the Anesthesia/Critical Patient Care Service as an assistant professor, effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Soares received his DVM in 1999 and his MSc in 2002 from the Fluminense Federal University, Brazil and he received his PhD in 2012 from the Rio de Janeiro Federal University. He also completed his residency in 2012 in veterinary anesthesiology at UC Davis and continued as a staff veterinarian from 2012-2014. Dr. Soares was an assistant professor of anesthesiology from 2014-2018 at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Soares’ research focuses on monitoring respiratory function during anesthesia, including linear and nonlinear models of respiratory mechanics, volumetric capnography, and electrical impedance tomography, and on protective ventilation during anesthesia including monitoring ventilator settings and effects on outcome. Beyond his clinical responsibilities with the service, he will be involved in teaching the DVM professional curriculum and graduate clinical training in the hospital. He will also provide leadership in directing research projects of residents and graduate students.

Dr. Alessia Cenani, DrMedVet, M.S., DACVAA

Dr. Alessia Cenani has joined the Anesthesia/Critical Patient Care Service as an assistant professor, effective August 1, 2018. Dr. Cenani received her DrMedVet in 2009 from the University of Perugia, Italy and continued with a one-year equine rotating internship in 2010. She then received her MS in 2012 from the University of Liege, Belgium. Dr. Cenani completed a one-year anesthesia internship in 2013 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Ryan Hospital. Dr. Cenani completed a residency in veterinary anesthesiology at UC Davis in 2016. Following her residency, she stayed at UC Davis, being awarded a one-year research fellowship in 2017 followed by a staff veterinarian position. Dr. Cenani’s research focuses on studies of mechanisms of action of anesthetic and analgesic drugs, with particular emphasis on in vitro measurement of receptor response and assessment of drug efficacy in vivo in several species. Beyond her clinical responsibilities with the service, she will be involved in teaching the DVM professional curriculum and graduate clinical training in the hospital. She will also provide leadership in directing research projects of residents and graduate students.

Dr. Christine Toedebusch, DVM, M.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Christine Toedebusch has joined the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service as an assistant professor, August 1, 2018. Dr. Toedebusch earned her DVM from the University of Wisconsin in 2010. She followed her studies with a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Toedebusch was appointed a postdoctoral fellow from the University of Missouri in 2011, and also completed her PhD from Missouri in 2017. She continued at Missouri to complete a one-year residency training program in 2018. Dr. Toedebusch’s research interest is in the area of understanding the mechanism of neurologic diseases, with a specific focus on the role of neuro-inflammation. In addition to her clinical responsiilities in the teaching hospital, she will be involved in teaching the DVM professional curriculum and graduate clinical training with the residency program. She will also provide leadership in directing research projects of residents and graduate students.

Aquatic Medicine Team Attends International Conference

Faculty, residents and students recently attended the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) conference. Conference attendees included veterinarians and staff members who work at aquariums, government wildlife agencies, marine mammal/avian rehabilitation centers, etc. The IAAAM is an organization of individuals who are professionally interested in and devote a significant amount of time to the practice of aquatic animal medicine, teaching and research in aquatic animal medicine, or the husbandry and management of aquatic animals.

VMTH members who attended the IAAAM conference included:

Third-year resident Dr. Kelsey Brust from the Diagnostic Imaging Service presented a research project on the feasibility and safety of intravenous contrast enhanced CT scans of koi fish. Her faculty mentors on the project were Drs. Kathryn Phillips and Esteban Soto.
Second-year resident Dr. Rachel Brownlee of the Laboratory Animal Medicine Service presented a research project on ultrasound of normal adult and juvenile frogs. Her faculty mentor on the project was Dr. Kathryn Phillips.
Aquatic specialist Dr. Soto also presented at the conference, along with aquatic animal health intern Dr. Christine Parker-Graham, aquatic animal health fellow Dr. Brittany Stevens, and fourth-year DVM student Denver Coleman.

The VMTH’s Aquatic Animal Health unit of the Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service provides medical services to private owners, hobbyists, breeders, wholesalers, retailers, commercial aquaculture, aquariums, referring veterinarians, as well as government fish and wildlife conservation agencies. The Diagnostic Imaging Service routinely assists with radiographs, ultrasounds, and CT scans of fish patients.

Faculty Spotlight – Lance Visser, DVM, M.S., DACVIM (Cardiology)

Dr. Lance Visser is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and obtained a BS (2007) and combined DVM/MS (2010) from Michigan State University. Following veterinary school, he completed a small animal rotating internship at North Carolina State University in 2011. He then completed a combined residency/MS program in cardiology at The Ohio State University in 2014. Dr. Visser’s primary research interest is the study of noninvasive assessment of cardiac structure and function. Recently, he has studied several novel echocardiographic indices of right ventricular function in the dog. Dr. Visser’s clinical interests are broad and include, advanced electrocardiography, acute and chronic management of heart failure, noninvasive/advanced imaging (echo, CT, MRI), interventional cardiovascular medicine, congenital heart disease, and cardiovascular pathology. He currently serves as chief of the Cardiology Service.

Get to know Dr. Visser...

What attracted you to a position at UC Davis?

Of course, I was drawn to the prestige of the UC Davis program, but I was also interested in the room for growth within the UC Davis cardiology program, the extensive hospital caseload, and my excellent colleagues in the Cardiology Service. I was also particularly drawn to the Northern California region.

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

The opportunity to make a large impact in veterinary medicine on a daily basis through student teaching, resident training, clinical research, and working in the clinic.

What was one of your most memorable cases?

A chocolate Labrador from a few years ago. We were able to correct a complex congenital heart defect called cor triatriatum dexter, using a minimally invasive approach. He went from suffering from a heart condition to acting like a normal dog within 24 hours. He’s still thriving two years later.

Are you working on any research projects?

I am currently working on several research projects. I am collecting data for a large prospective study on redefining reference values for measurements of cardiac size and function. I am also researching the role and impact of the right ventricular size and function in dogs with pulmonic stenosis, as well as the impact of right ventricular size and function on prognosis in dogs with pulmonary hypertension. Finally, I also have two ongoing clinical trials ( here and here) for dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Resident Spotlight – Rae Sires, DVM

Dr. Rae Sires is a second-year resident in the Nutrition Service. She graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Dr. Sires then completed a one-year specialty internship focused on emergency and critical care at the Center for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care in Dallas. Since completing her internship, Dr. Sires has worked as an emergency clinician with BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Kansas City, Missouri. She began her residency at UC Davis in 2017.

Get to know Dr. Sires…

Why did you choose the UC Davis Residency Program?

UC Davis, in general, is extremely well known in the veterinary community for research and training programs. What ultimately “sold me” on the nutrition program here was my interview with Dr. Fascetti. She was so personable in explaining the program expectations while also emphasizing the importance of finding the right person to fit into the program – I knew right away I wanted to come here.

What do you plan to do at the end of your residency?

I am eager to continue to incorporate education of veterinarians and veterinary students into my career and am highly considering a job in nutrition industry.

Are you working on a resident research project?

Results for my research project, “Evaluating Mercury Content of Commercial Canine Diets,” have been returned recently, and the deadline for paper submission is fast approaching in October – stay tuned!

What makes your work so rewarding?

I enjoy strategizing and problem solving, and veterinary medicine allows me to do this all day every day. Becoming a veterinary specialist allows me to work with patients that have extremely rare or severe disease processes. Yes, these cases can be challenging, but they are also the cases where—when you finally solve them—you have truly made a difference. Those cases are the most rewarding.

Cases of the Month

Dog Recovers after Long Rehabilitation at UC Davis

Max, 7-year-old Saint Bernard, started having issues getting up and walking. It was clearly more than just a dog getting older, so his owners Joe and Kris Schratz took him to their primary veterinarian who administered therapy treatments in hopes of improving his condition. When Max’s limbs started getting progressively weaker, the veterinarian recommended taking him to the UC Davis veterinary hospital.

Successful Cancer Clinical Trial at UC Davis Extends Dog’s Life

Boone, a 9-year-old male greater Swiss mountain dog, was previously diagnosed with stage 3 malignant oral melanoma based on the size of the tumor and spread of the tumor to his lymph nodes. He participated in a clinical trial that has given him a new lease on life.

UC Davis Neurosurgeons Successfully Remove Brain Tumor, Extending Dog’s Life

Dazzy, a 4-year-old male French bulldog, began having seizures and acting aggressive toward strangers – a behavior he had never previously displayed. His owners took him to see their primary veterinarian who ultimately referred them to a neurologist near their home in Southern California. An MRI performed by the neurologist revealed a left intra-axial cerebral mass, most consistent with a glioma (brain tumor).

Veterinarians and Physicians Team Up for Dog’s Brain Surgery

Crash, a 6-year-old blind, male German shepherd, was starting to tire more easily on his walks and seemed “spacey” and listless, according to his owners, Sally and Steve Yant from Boulder Creek, California. He also displayed signs of severe headaches. He would “bury” his head and show expressions resembling humans when they squint and seem painful with a headache. Those headaches started happening more frequently and affected his overall well-being.

Did You Know?

…that second-year resident Dr. Callum Donnelly won a national award for his equine research? Dr. Donnelly was presented the Resident Research Award at the 2018 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine conference for his topic “Serum And Cerebrospinal Fluid Alpha-Tocopherol Concentration In Adult Horses Supplemented With Subcutaneous Alpha-Tocopherol.” This is the second year in a row that a UC Davis equine resident has won. Congratulations, Dr. Donnelly!

…that members of the Emergency and Critical Care Service recently participated in a National CPR Awareness Week event at the state capitol? UC Davis veterinarians demonstrated life-saving techniques for pets, alongside emergency physicians and first responders with organizations from around the state.

…VMTH orthopedic surgeons recently operated on a lemur at the Sacramento Zoo? Drs. Amy Kapatkin and Denis Marcellin-Little, along with the zoo’s Drs. Ray Wack and Jenessa Gjeltema, repaired a ruptured patellar tendon—which allows the thigh muscle to extend the knee joint and is important for controlling a leg's movement—in Orzo the lemur.

…that construction continues inside the VMTH as part of the Veterinary Medical Center project? The latest projects are taking place in the Small Animal Clinic (SAC), where two new examination rooms are being constructed in the space previously occupied by the Surgery Observation Room. Restrooms in the SAC are also being renovated.

Thanks & Praise from Grateful Clients

Dear UC Davis veterinary hospital,

I wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the surgery my dog Bliss had at UC Davis. When I first went to see Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little—who was highly recommended by my primary veterinarian—I was most impressed with the thorough examination he gave Bliss. He took x-rays and ran several tests to determine exactly how he could help him. When Dr. Marcellin-Little explained everything very carefully, I knew then he was an expert in his field. While picking up Bliss following his elbow surgery, I spoke with fourth-year DVM student Lindsey Woody, who was attentive and thorough as we reviewed the discharge instructions. I later called the hospital, and she answered my questions and indicated she would confirm with Dr. Marcellin-Little, who also contacted me. I feel Ms. Woody will make an excellent veterinarian once she completes her studies.

I am eternally grateful to Dr. Marcellin-Little for his continued excellent follow through, and I am very happy so far with Bliss’ rehabilitation. I receive excellent service with each visit to the VMTH. I will continue to recommend this fine facility and will continue patronizing it with my pets.

With the greatest appreciation,

Elva D., Sacramento, California

Featured Clinical Trial

Dr. Boaz Arzi is recruiting dogs exhibiting pain of unknown origin at the jaw joint (TMJ) area and that do not have an obvious clinical diagnosis (e.g., cancer, trauma) for a new clinical trial. The trial aims to examine the yield of positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) as compared to conventional CT with and without contrast in the diagnosis of pain of unknown origin at the jaw joint region. Dogs will need to have a complete physical and oral exam as well as blood and urine analyses to determine eligibility. For more information about this and other groundbreaking trials, visit the Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials website or email [email protected].