Winter 2021
NEW REFERRAL PHONE NUMBER

To contact the VMTH regarding referrals:
530-752-4050 (direct referral line)
or
 
The VMTH now has eight referral coordinators that you can reach directly, rather than using the main VMTH phone line. As valued referring veterinarians, you now have direct access to a team of dedicated client service representatives at the VMTH – rather than using the main telephone number that is used for the general public. We strongly recommend that you utilize these highly trained contacts to enable a faster and more efficient referral process. Our referral coordinators have intimate knowledge of their services and can facilitate your needs and also connect you with a veterinarian should you need consultation on a case.
Latest News
UC Davis Veterinary Hospital Continues Accreditation from Top Veterinary Association

The UC Davis veterinary hospital has continued to achieve the highest level of veterinary excellence following evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The School of Veterinary Medicine’s teaching hospital recently earned re-accreditation by AAHA after a rigorous review of the hospital’s practice protocols, medical equipment, facility, and client service – continuing the level of success it has enjoyed for many years.
UC Davis Retains Standing as Best Value Among Veterinary Schools

UC Davis continues to offer the best value among veterinary schools, based on its number one rankings and updated financial information from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The AVMA recently released the 2020 Economic State of the Veterinary Profession, which includes data on veterinary schools, including information regarding the debt loads of recent DVM graduates.
Former Resident Wins National Honor Society Research Award

Dr. Mary Thurber, DVM, DACZM, a former UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine resident in zoological medicine, was named a recipient of the 2020 Society of Phi Zeta Research Manuscript Award. Phi Zeta, the international honor society of veterinary medicine, annually recognizes two research awards in the Basic Science category and the Clinical Science category.
We Have A Lot to Learn from Dogs Fighting Cancer

When it comes to dog years, cancer can have a big impact. Dogs 10 years and older have a 50% chance of dying from cancer, and human oncologists are studying the disease in canines in the hopes of benefiting both animals and humans. Thanks to its unique partnership with the country’s top-ranked UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the few institutions to study what the National Cancer Institute calls comparative oncology.
Alumnus Wins Dr. Murray Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award

UC Davis alumnus Dr. Don Janssen (DVM ‘78) was recently awarded the Dr. Murray Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). The award is given for exceptional commitment and contributions to the ACZM while making significant lifetime contributions that have advanced the discipline of zoological medicine. A diplomate of the ACZM and a past president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Dr. Janssen served as director of veterinary services and was vice president for animal health at San Diego Zoo Global prior to retirement.
Novel Veterinary Procedure Helps Pave Way for World’s First Spina Bifida Clinical Trial in Humans

Thanks to a university-wide collaboration between veterinarians, physicians, researchers, and biomedical engineers, a groundbreaking clinical trial has been approved in human medicine to treat spina bifida with stem cells. UC Davis Health recently announced the launch of the world’s first, FDA-approved human clinical trial using stem cells before birth to treat the most serious form of spina bifida.
School Diversity Information and Resources

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine is a community that prides itself on its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and understands that we are comprised of individuals having many perspectives and identities. The commitment to social justice through DEI is ongoing, with a mandate from the school’s strategic plan and direction provided by the Community Council.
Current Clinical Trials
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats
UC Davis cardiologists are investigating a new drug therapy (rapamycin) in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease that affects 1 in 7 cats. This is the first novel drug study developed in many years specifically for cats with HCM. We are looking for adult cats that have been diagnosed with HCM but are currently asymptomatic. The study covers many screening costs. Rapamycin has been shown to reverse HCM in rodents and in people. This study will be the first study to evaluate its potential in cats.
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Intrapatient Variability in Doxorubicin Exposure in Canine Cancer Patients
Doxorubicin is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutics in veterinary medicine. It has been shown that exposure to the same total dose of doxorubicin can vary widely between individual patients. This trial will assess the variability in exposure within the same dog by measuring doxorubicin exposure after receiving three doses of doxorubicin. Gathering these data allows us to determine whether exposure to doxorubicin following the first treatment cycle can be used to guide dosing decisions during subsequent treatment cycles.
Metronidazole for Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea in Dogs
Chemotherapy induced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea is reported in up to 25-50% of dogs being treated with doxorubicin chemotherapy. The ideal treatment of choice for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea has not been determined. The purpose of this study is to determine whether metronidazole, an antibiotic commonly used in dogs with diarrhea, is effective for preventing or treating doxorubicin-induced diarrhea.
Wearable Activity Monitor to Improve Monitoring of Dogs with Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
The purpose of this study is to determine if a commercial dog activity and health tracker (Whistle Go Explore) can enhance our monitoring of dogs diagnosed with immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA). Dogs with IMPA can have a wide range of clinical signs ranging from decreased energy, limping, or inability to walk. Treatment typically consists of pain medication and immune suppressing medications. These medications are slowly decreased over 3-6 months and dogs are monitored for relapse of their disease process. About 10% of dogs will experience a relapse of their IMPA as medications are decreased. Our first goal in this study is to determine if the dog activity and health tracker can be used as a remote monitoring tool to aid in the recognition of disease remission and secondarily to determine if the tracker can detect relapse of disease
Royal Canine Calcium Oxalate Diet Study in Dogs
Calcium oxalate stones are one of the most common types of stones that form in dogs. The purpose of this study is to compare two dry diets marketed for CaOx prevention in dogs.
Pituitary Tumor Surgery using BrainSight in Cats
Cats with a brain tumor in their pituitary gland may produce too many hormones, causing a disease syndrome called feline hypersomatotropism (HS). It affects many organs including heart, kidneys, bone, and cartilage to name a few. Cats that suffer from hypersomatotropism will develop diabetes that is challenging to manage. One of the current treatments for feline HS is surgical removal of the pituitary gland. The purpose of this study is to find out the benefits of using BrainSight® neuronavigation system and Stortz® VITOM 3D endoscope to remove pituitary tumors in cats.
Intratumoral Therapy with IL-2 for Treatment of Advanced or Multicentric Equine Cutaneous Tumors
Equine melanomas can be devastating tumors as they are often difficult to treat. Horses with melanomas are usually treated by surgery and sometimes intratumoral chemotherapy injections or radiation therapy. There is a large body of evidence that intratumoral administration of Interleukin-2 (IL-2 cytokine) is effective for stimulation of the immune system without systemic side-effects. We have shown that direct injection of IL-2 into equine melanomas is safe and could induce regression of treated lesions. The purpose of the study is to confirm the efficacy of equine IL-2 administered directly into tumors in a larger group of horses and to determine whether the treatment can induce a systemic effect against untreated tumors.
Upcoming Continuing Education Events
Due to developing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including adhering to physical distancing and limiting public gatherings, the UC Davis Center for Continuing Professional Education is currently altering its course offerings to webinar only.
 
We look forward to welcoming you to these CE events moved online:

Please contact us with any suggestions or questions you might have regarding our programs.
Latest Research Achievements
UC Davis-led Study Investigates Distribution of the Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome Allele in Multiple Breeds

New research has reported the warmblood fragile foal syndrome allele in 21 breeds. The study, an international collaboration led by UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory Director Rebecca Bellone, screened more than 4,000 horses from 38 different horse breeds in the United States and Europe.
Hunting for a Reprieve from Cancer

As a bird dog, Josie is one of the best. The 9-year-old chocolate lab goes everywhere with her owner and is a popular guest at the Cordelia Duck Club, tucked away in the Suisun Marsh. She is very social, extremely good at her sport and would really be missed if she weren’t around. In June, her devoted owner noticed she was bleeding slightly around her chin. An exam revealed a small growth on the roof of her mouth. Like oral melanoma in humans, Josie’s cancer was aggressive by the time it was discovered. Josie was given only two to four months to live.
Center for Equine Health Publishes 2020 Research Review

The UC Davis Center for Equine Health has a long history of funding research in a wide variety of areas related to equine health. With the help of our donors, we support faculty and resident studies ranging from basic science to advanced therapeutics. The 2020 Research Review summarizes studies completed from 2018 to 2020.
Clinical Success Stories
Novel Treatment Leads to Dog’s Recovery

Life for Miro, a 5-year-old German shepherd, has been what his owner describes as an “emotional roller coaster” over the past two years. Several peaks and valleys have dotted his metaphorical landscape as he has gone from premiere fitness to dealing with injuries and disease. But a clinical trial at the UC Davis veterinary hospital may have put him back on a positive track.
Collaborative Outreach Saves Kitten with Rare Disorder

When Lucy, a female tabby kitten, was not progressing as much as her littermate, her foster group, the Orphan Kitten Club in San Diego, was at a loss as to the problem. So, OKC’s founder, Hannah “Kitten Lady” Shaw reached out to Dr. Karen Vernau at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. Dr. Vernau’s experience with hundreds of kittens as a faculty mentor of a similar group, UC Davis’ Orphan Kitten Project, led her to believe that Lucy may have hypothyroidism.
Team of Specialists Save Mare and Foal in Difficult Birth

When Bella, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred maiden mare, went into labor last month, her owners Tom and Nicole Bachman were excited and sprang into action. But they soon realized something was terribly wrong. So, the long-time UC Davis clients, who have brought dozens of horses to the school’s Large Animal Clinic over the past four decades, knew exactly where they needed to go – and quickly!
UC Davis Treats Kangaroo from Sacramento Zoo

Brodie, an approximately 10-year-old female kangaroo from the Sacramento Zoo, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital this week for further evaluation of a suspected mass near her heart. The zoo’s veterinary team discovered several abnormalities on x-rays of Brodie’s chest during her recent annual check-up at the zoo. Each of the nearly 500 animals at the zoo receives an annual health evaluation, keeping the veterinary team busy year-round.
Equine Layup Services
The UC Davis Center for Equine Health offers layup boarding with individualized care for horses recovering from illness, injury, surgery, or other procedures requiring time for healing or continued medical treatment. Located within minutes of the UC Davis veterinary hospital, the Center for Equine Health is an ideal place where horses can receive individualized care and convenient follow-up visits at the hospital. The layup facility consists of a dedicated barn overseen by trained equine health technicians. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Promotional pricing of level 1 rates for most levels of care are being offered through June 30, 2021.
Philanthropy At Work
Dog Battles Cancer After Family Loses Everything in Fire

The 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Northern California devastated many lives. None more so than the owners of Quinn, a 12-year-old female Labrador retriever. Just before the fire erupted, Quinn was not feeling herself and was twice taken to her primary veterinarian. After many tests, she came home on the night of August 18. That would be the last time she would be in that home.
Month-Long Radiation Treatments Help Dog Recover from Non-Surgical Tumor

Porsche, a 4-year-old female boxer, had a lipoma surgically removed from her hip and lower back in 2019. But when it came back even worse in 2020, her primary veterinarian referred her to the Oncology Service at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. So, her owners Chuck and Jennifer drove the 90 minutes to campus for a consult with the oncologists.
Biological Product Manufacturing Available
Did you know that the university has a service that can provide manufactured biological growth media? For decades Biological Media Services (BMS), a part of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, has manufactured biological growth media in agar based (petri dish) and liquid (test tube and bottle) formats. These products are sold to campus laboratories as well as external laboratory and industry customers. BMS has an extensive catalog of classic and updated microbiological products available for purchase. We make products used in molecular biology, plant biology, veterinary clinical and research labs, food safety labs, educational settings (classrooms), and tissue culture labs. BMS also offers custom media for the researcher and veterinary clinician. BMS will work with labs to create any new product as long as a recipe is provided. Usually, the custom product can be priced, manufactured, and delivered within a few days. For large projects BMS has the capability of mass producing agar based plates using automated plate pouring equipment. Our lab can produce as many as 8,000 plates in a week. BMS has a large inventory of raw materials on hand in order to expedite making and delivering product to customers.
Honor Your Patients and Make a Difference
The Center of Companion Animal Health and the Center for Equine Health are grateful to the veterinary clinics for their donations to the Companion Animal Memorial Fund and the Equine Tribute and Memorial Fund. Participating veterinary clinics and practitioners honor their patients and clients who have recently lost an animal. Each year, hundreds of clinics contribute through memorial gifts for clinical health research to improve treatment for diseases affecting their clients’ animals. If you’d like to learn how to become a participant, call our Office of Advancement at 530-752-7024. Thank you.
Looking To Hire?
Is your clinic looking to hire? Our 4th year students and recent graduates would love to hear from you. We have resources on our Career, Leadership and Wellness Center website to will help you post jobs and connect with us about advancing your clinic. Please discover the website’s job board. Center Director Janel Lang can help you navigate it. Contact her at jalang@ucdavis.edu or 530-752-5130.