November/December 2022
Alum’s Goal: Make Artificial Intelligence Accessible
When Zach Meyers DVM’22 took Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine as a fourth-year student, he didn’t think it’d turn into a business. Over two weeks in this elective course, students explore the potential of machine learning in veterinary medicine. They spend a few days gaining skills in basic computer practices and the fundamentals of machine learning, then create their own application relevant to veterinary medicine. Meyers taught a computer to detect parasite eggs in fecal samples, an often time-consuming task for people. This concept hatched a company Meyers co-founded in January called Vetreum. Their goal is to provide all veterinarians access to artificial intelligence in an affordable, accessible way – “to elevate the everyday veterinary professional.”
School News
The latest updates on research, faculty and staff, and other happenings at the school.
The UW School of Veterinary Medicine's 2022 holiday cards are now on sale, providing a perfect gift for the animal lovers on your list. Recipients will enjoy beautiful artwork and you will support our school, hospital and students in their honor. This year's card, "Winter Shimmer," features an original design by Wisconsin artist Yongjing Li. Two options are available; we can sign and send individual cards to your list of recipients, or we can mail you a set of 10 cards and envelopes for you to sign and send. To guarantee card availability, orders must be received by December 14.

Recent research news:

  • FluGen, a company founded by School of Veterinary Medicine faculty members Yoshihiro Kawaoka and Gabriele Neumann, announced an experimental intranasal flu vaccine that achieved a broad immune response. FluGen is also working on a new way of protecting against flu and COVID-19 in one vaccine and is studying the same approach for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
  • Professor Tony Goldberg is among a group of scientists warning that an obscure virus in wild African primates, simian hemorrhagic fever virus, could pose a significant health risk to humanity should the right conditions allow it to leap from wild primates to people. They published their findings in the journal Cell. The researchers say there is no known risk to people now, and there is no guarantee the virus will make the jump, but it’s important to understand these viruses and the risks they could pose.
Alumni Updates
The latest news about your classmates and items of special interest to alumni.
Ruthanne Chun DVM'91, clinical professor of oncology in the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, was announced as an honoree of the annual UW-Madison Outstanding Women of Color Awards at the university’s Diversity Forum in November. Recipients will be honored at a recognition ceremony in spring 2023. 

Douglas Kratt DVM'90 and Kimberly Kratt DVM'00 served as the 2022 Oktoberfest Festmaster and Frau in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fall. The Kratts have donated veterinary medical services to many organizations over their three decades in the profession. In addition to philanthropy and community service, they continue to give back to the veterinary medical profession by mentoring students and recent graduates.
Quote by Icon Lauk from the Noun Project
YOUR PERSPECTIVE
The need for urgent, safe places for animals goes up with inclement weather. There are people who are starting to get nervous now who lived comfortably in their cars for the last two seasons and are starting to get scared.
-Kelly Schultz DVM'15, medical director and clinical instructor with Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services (WisCARES), speaking with News 3 about growing client demand. A collaboration of the UW-Madison schools of veterinary medicine, social work and pharmacy, WisCARES provides subsidized veterinary medical care, a pet food and supplies pantry, pet boarding and fostering, and access to social workers for pet owners experiencing homelessness and financial difficulty. The program was recently awarded $135,000 in grants from PetSmart Charities to help meet the need for accessible care
Ongoing Clinical Trials
Cats With FIP and Unaffected Housemates

UW Veterinary Care's Small Animal Internal Medicine service is recruiting cats diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and their unaffected housemates. FIP is caused by certain strains of a virus called feline enteric coronavirus. This study tests the hypothesis that the transformation from feline enteric coronavirus to FIP is caused by the evolution of both the virus and the host antibody response. Knowledge gained from the study will help researchers better understand this virus and provide a step toward new treatment options. Cats may be diagnosed with FIP at their regular veterinarian’s office or at UW Veterinary Care.
Light bulb icon from the Noun Project
DID YOU KNOW
For more than 30 years, the UW School of Veterinary Medicine’s Companion Animal Fund Grant Program has supported studies of animal health to improve treatment outcomes. In 2022, faculty and staff will pursue 10 new research projects with support from the program. These studies explore a wide range of topics, from the disease pathology of laryngeal paralysis in dogs to improved accuracy of radiation therapy delivery to understanding the causes of a unique sensory neuron inflammation in horses. The program is a true cycle of compassionate support, as donations often originate as gifts made to honor pets who have passed away.