If you're like us, celebrating your pets is a year-round occasion. But National Pet Week, May 5-11, provides a special opportunity to spotlight the joy and loyalty of these loving animal companions. We've set up a Pet Week photo gallery and invite you to upload a picture of your pet (or pets), then view others' snapshots. You can also honor the pets in your life with a gift to support animal health.
Did you know that a lab within the UW School of Veterinary Medicine tests samples from around the world for antibody against feline and canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus? Because there is a high correlation between the presence of antibody and protective immunity against these diseases, the tests are effective tools to prove immunity and can help owners avoid over-vaccination of already immune pets. The lab is also currently the only worldwide to offer nomograph testing for breeding dams (dogs) -- like Tessa, above, a border collie in Australia -- as well as follow-up titers for puppies. This analysis helps inform the best timing of vaccination to assure a litter of puppies will be effectively immunized.
The Dermatology Service is recruiting dogs with recurrent pyoderma, defined as three or more episodes of staphylococcal skin infection in the last six months, for a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of a new vaccine product. The vaccine is intended to prevent recurrent skin infections, helping alleviate the need for repeated courses of antibiotics. Examinations, follow-up visits, diagnostic evaluations, cultures, blood and allergy tests, and medication costs are paid by the study. The trial for each dog will last approximately 18 weeks, with visits to UW Veterinary Care every six weeks. Patients enrolled in the study are prescribed injections, skin sprays and shampoos for home use.
Cancer is one of the most common problems in companion animals. UW Veterinary Care's small animal oncology specialists are here to support you and your pet on this journey, bringing together the best cancer expertise and most effective treatments. This comprehensive approach enables both medical oncology and radiation oncology clinicians to work closely with each other, as well as with surgeons, pathologists and radiologists, to quickly and efficiently determine the best options for each patient.
While the Oncology Service at UW Veterinary Care is world-renowned for making clinical advances in the treatment of cancer, we also offer routine treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Most of our approaches, including chemotherapy, are delivered on an outpatient basis in an effort to minimize interruptions to your beloved companion's routines. Their quality of life is always our highest priority, so our team will ensure that you and your animal are comfortable every step of the way.
A new limited edition mini Terrace chair with a very Wisconsin theme is now available for sale, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the School of Veterinary Medicine's building expansion project. This cow-printed keepsake just hit shelves this week; it can be purchased on campus in the Badger Markets at the Memorial Union and Union South, as well as online in the Wisconsin Union's Terrace Store.
