Grants from the UW School of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Fund -- made possible by donations from veterinary medical clinics and individual donors -- are supporting 18 new research projects aimed at improving animal health care, from advancing stem cell technology for disease modeling in dogs to better understanding epilepsy in cats to developing much-needed dosage protocols for African pygmy hedgehogs, an increasingly common household pet. Several studies have applications to human health, as well.
Cleo-pet-ra, a dachshund hot dog -- the opportunities are endless for creative animal costumes at Halloween. But if you dress your pet for the occasion, always gauge their reaction to ensure they're comfortable and don't seem stressed or anxious says Calico Schmidt, clinical instructor at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. Also, remove any apparel when your pet isn't directly supervised to avoid the risk of a costume becoming stuck on something or constricting the animal. "Just make sure it's not stressful and it's safe, and take it off when you're not there to supervise," Schmidt advises. See other tips for keeping Halloween safe for your pets.
UW Veterinary Care's Oncology Service seeks dogs with a lung mass from cancer or fungal infection for a clinical assessment of slow CT scan. Breathing creates distortion in a traditional CT scan, making it more difficult to identify lung tumors. This study compares a traditional diagnostic CT scan to a slow CT scan and fluoroscopy to determine the best planning method for radiation therapy. Findings will allow clinicians to better understand lung tumor movement and may make radiation therapy a more viable treatment option for dogs with lung tumors. Owners of dogs entered in the study will receive a $150 credit to cover additional anesthesia costs.
National Veterinary Technician Week, October 14-20, provides a special opportunity to recognize the critical contributions of our veterinary technicians at UW Veterinary Care. Our technicians are expertly trained to perform tests, procedures and treatments as ordered by our veterinarians, compassionately caring for your animal throughout their visit.
Each day this week, we'll be honoring veterinary technicians in a series of posts on the UW Veterinary Care Facebook page. Follow along to learn more about these important team members and their work, starting with Sara Branton, a certified veterinary technician in anesthesia and pain management.
