November 2022
woman sits in a saddle atop a sorrel horse with a bridle
Helping Animals Live Longer, Healthier Lives
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. From better seizure medications to more effective pain control and improved surgical methods, these studies bring tangible improvements to animals in our care and worldwide. The program is a true cycle of compassionate support, as donations often originate as gifts made to honor pets who have passed away. 

In 2022, the program distributed over $137,000 in grants to 10 new research projects. These studies explore a wide range of topics, from the pathology of laryngeal paralysis in dogs to improved accuracy of radiation therapy delivery through tumor tracking to the causes of a unique sensory neuron inflammation in horses underlying dangerous behavior.
PET TIPS AND CLINICAL STUDIES
golden retriever looking at camera
Pet Cancer Awareness

November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, developed to spread awareness of how to prevent or treat cancer in our furry friends. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pets today have a better chance of being successfully treated for cancer than in the past, thanks to advances in early recognition, diagnosis and treatment. UW Veterinary Care’s oncology specialists are here to support you and your pet when navigating a cancer journey. The hospital also offers online resources about common types of cancer in dogs and cats, common warning signs, and treatment options. 
gray cat with green eyes looking at camera
FIP Cats and Housemates

The 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.
2022 Holiday Card
A Unique Gift for the Animal Lovers on Your List
It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to the magic of the holiday season and to the gifts we’ll give to the special people in our lives. When you give the UW School of Veterinary Medicine holiday card, your recipients will enjoy beautiful, original holiday card artwork, and you will be supporting our school, our hospital and our students in their honor. This year’s card features Winter Shimmer, an original design by WIsconsin artist Yongjing Li. Order today.
SOCIAL ANIMALS
Highlights from your social media mentions of UW Veterinary Care
and the UW School of Veterinary Medicine
This Spiny Softshell Turtle was admitted this summer with a large hook embedded in his throat that needed to be removed, but the surgery is no easy task. This species isn’t particularly easy to put under anesthesia, and a hook removal of this nature ranges from difficult to impossible. Thanks to an amazing partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, our teams were able to collaborate and save this turtle’s life. ... We were so grateful to have this hook out, and after some lengthy healing time, we’re happy to report that this turtle has fully healed and is back in the wild! 💚 From our veterinary partners to the volunteers and donors who support our work, we’re so grateful for the amazing teamwork it took to navigate this incredibly challenging and complicated situation. Thank you so much!
At 41, our Hoffman's two-toed sloth, Slothra, is one of the oldest sloths in the world! Yesterday she was brought down to our Animal Health Center for a dental procedure. Sloths do not have teeth enamel and their teeth continue to grow throughout their life. Sloths lack incisors but have prominent fangs, called pseudo-canines, that are used to help them bite their food. Slothra had developed two cavities in her lower pseudo-canines. Thanks to our partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine we were able to bring in Dr. Snyder, a board certified veterinary dentist, to treat Slothra. Under anesthesia, Dr. Snyder was able to measure how deep her cavities had developed and treat those areas. Since her teeth will continue to grow, she could get to a point where the affected areas will completely grow out and her teeth no longer have any cavities!  
Slothra did great and was back in the free-flight area of the Aviary by the afternoon enjoying soft fruit snacks from her keepers!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckg8LUIPU32/
I spooked my mom good this Halloween! She came home from a work trip to find me partially paralyzed in all four legs. It turned out that I herniated a disc in my neck which was compressing my spinal cord. Emergency surgery went well on Tuesday. I have a long road to recovery ahead, but I’m glad to be back at home with my favorite hoomans. Thank you @uwvetmed for taking care of me! ❤️‍🩹
shtoogiethebullie
Huge #so and thank you to all the awesome people at @uwvetmed oncology for letting me enjoy #halloween … in contrast to my dad who is a holiday grinch (📷 credit: @abbeycarolyn)