Summer 2023

Updates for Practicing Veterinary Professionals

The August episode of “Mondays with Mark” looks at aspects of equine health taking place around the school. With a focus on the research and medical practices that are making an impact, Dean Stetter visits the VMTH to talk with Dr. Mathieu Spriet about advancements in PET scanning that are now in place at some of the most prominent equine hospitals and racetracks in the country. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive the next episode of “Mondays with Mark.”

Veterinary Hospital Celebrates Staff with Annual Awards

The UC Davis veterinary hospital recently acknowledged the dedication and hard work of its staff members with the annual Staff Awards and Rachel Smith Award.

Traditionally, the Staff Awards have been divided into four categories:

•   Large Animal Clinic

•   Small Animal Clinic

•   Client Services/Administrative

•   Support Services (including laboratory, pathology, pharmacy, central services, and diagnostic imaging)

Since there are many exceptional staff members who have been at the hospital for a relatively short time, the committee decided to acknowledge their contributions by continuing the Rising Star Award which was introduced last year. This award recognizes someone who has been at the hospital for five years or less but who is well on their way to making a strong impact.

California Veterinary Emergency Team Ready to Help Animals in Wildfires

Evacuating, sheltering, and caring for animals are enormous tasks made more difficult in a state under siege from wildfires. But the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET) is ready to lead a statewide coordinated effort to provide veterinary care when disasters like wildfires strike. Administered by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, CVET supports and trains a network of government agencies and organizations to aid domestic animals and livestock during emergencies. This fire season, CVET is ready to assist counties across the state with veterinary rescue and care when local resources have been exhausted and state assistance is needed.

If you are a veterinary professional and would like to learn more about joining CVET as a responder, please email: cvet@ucdavis.edu

Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service Hosts Air Force Veterinarians and Staff

The USAF 60th Dental Squadron and the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service joined forces to advance dental care for some of the unsung heroes of the military, the military working dogs (MWDs). With a shared goal of enhancing the overall health and performance of these exceptional canines, the partnership took shape in the form of the first-ever MWD dental health joint symposium at UC Davis with a series of training workshops covering topics such as periodontal disease, vital pulp therapy, root canal therapy, and tooth wear.

Dr. Boaz Arzi Named Recipient of 2023 AVMF/EveryCat Health Foundation Research Award

Dr. Boaz Arzi, chief of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service and director of the Veterinary Institute for Regenerative Cures, has been awarded the 2023 American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)/EveryCat Health Foundation Research Award. The award was presented by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) at its annual conference, held recently in Denver, Colorado. Established in 2009, the award—previously known as the AVMF/Winn Feline Foundation Research Award—honors a candidate's contribution to advancing feline health through their research.

New House Officers Welcomed

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine welcomed 60 new house officers (fellows, interns, residents) into its advanced training programs this year. The School’s House Officer Program is the largest of its kind in the United States with 140 total house officers training in 41 specialty disciplines. Their training programs range from one to four years, where the veterinarians focus on a specific aspect of specialty medicine such as cardiology, surgery, or critical care. Most residencies will fulfill specialty colleges’ requirements for being board eligible. Once their clinical training is completed and board examinations are passed, these highly trained veterinarians become board certified specialists in their discipline of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Michelle Hawkins Wins T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award

Dr. Michelle Hawkins was recently awarded the 2023 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award, presented to an outstanding practitioner who is advancing the quality of health care for companion birds. Award recipients are selected by an independent committee of members from the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Important criteria for this award include clinical excellence, innovation, promotion of the profession, contributions to the knowledge base, and caring and compassion to their avian patients and clients. Dr. Hawkins is a professor in the UC Davis veterinary hospital's Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service and also director of the California Raptor Center.

West Nile Virus Cases Are On The Rise

Along with the usual seasonal suspects of summer sores and pigeon fever, summer and fall are also prime time for increases in disease caused by West Nile virus. West Nile virus is found across the U.S. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes inflammation in the brain. Although many species are susceptible to infection, horses account for more than 95% of reported non-human cases. General treatment includes supportive care and anti-inflammatory therapy. Many horses make a full recovery in time, while others make a partial recovery with varying degrees of residual deficits. Depending on disease severity and availability of supportive care, the disease can be fatal in up to 33% of horses.

Dr. Vishal Murthy - Neurology/Neurosurgery Service

Welcome back to the VMTH Dr. Vishal Murthy as an assistant professor in the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service. Dr. Murthy earned his DVM (2015) from Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. He then completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery (2016) at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Referral Center in Toronto, and he completed a residency in neurology/neurosurgery (2019) at UC Davis. Dr. Murthy continued at the VMTH as a staff veterinarian (2019-2020) before becoming at assistant professor at Washington State.

Dr. Rana Bozorgmanesh - Equine Internal Medicine Service

Welcome back to the VMTH Dr. Rana Bozorgmanesh as a staff veterinarian in the Equine Internal Medicine Service. Dr. Bozorgmanesh earned her veterinary degree (2008) from the Royal Veterinary College in London. Following several years in private practice, she completed a 1-year internal medicine fellowship (2013) at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky and a 3-year residency in large animal internal medicine (2016) at UC Davis. After a brief stay at the VMTH as a staff veterinarian, Dr. Bozormanesh was an associate veterinarian at Hagyard for six years. In 2022, she joined Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics in the Bay Area for a year before returning to UC Davis. Dr. Bozorgmanesh is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, as well as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Dr. Hannah Savage - Clinical Laboratory Service

Dr. Hannah Savage joined the Clinical Laboratory Service as an assistant professor of microbiology. Dr. Savage earned a dual PhD (2018) and DVM (2019) from UC Davis and continued at the school as a postdoctoral scholar (2019-2023). Her research interests and expertise focus on the host-pathogen interface in enteric infectious disease and novel therapeutic solutions.

Dr. Krista Keller - Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service

Welcome back to the VMTH Dr. Krista Keller as an associate professor in the Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service. Dr. Keller earned her DVM (2010) from Ross University and completed a companion animal internship (2011) at Louisiana State University. She completed a zoological companion animal residency (2014) at UC Davis and became board certified (2014) with the American College of Zoological Medicine. Dr. Keller worked as a private practitioner (2014-2017) in Colorado before becoming an assistant professor (2017-2023) at the University of Illinois. Dr. Keller’s research focuses on mycotic diseases of reptilian species.

Dr. Marcela Machado - Anesthesiology Service

Welcome back to the VMTH Dr. Marcela Machado as an assistant professor in the Anesthesiology Service. Dr. Machado earned her veterinary degree (2011) from Castelo Branco University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She completed her residency (2015) and continued to complete her MS (2017) from Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil. Dr. Machado completed a second MS (2021) and completed a second residency (2022) at UC Davis. In 2022, Dr. Machado became a clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Dr. Machado’s research interests and expertise focus on respiratory and cardiovascular anesthesiology.

Understanding How a Cat's Body Processes the Chemotherapy Drug, Vinblastine

Although vinblastine is commonly used in veterinary cancer therapy, most commonly for treating feline lymphoma, there is currently no information on how the drug is distributed and eliminated in these cats. Even when the same standard dose is administered to all cats, there can be large differences in the side effects that are seen and the drug may appear to work better against cancer in some cats than in others. This study aims to describe the pharmacokinetic profile of vinblastine in cats and to identify which characteristics or traits that can vary from one cat to another (e.g., age, kidney function, liver function) influence how vinblastine is distributed and eliminated in cats.

Comparing How Stem Cells are Given to Horses with Laminitis

Degenerative disorders of the equine foot, such as laminitis are a major cause of foot lameness in horses. Unfortunately, laminitis is not only a devastating and expensive disease to treat, but there is also no true cure for the disease. Stem cell therapy is currently being examined at as a potential treatment for laminitis based on the ability of stem cells to replicate themselves, regenerate tissue, and repair damaged tissue. The purpose of this study is to assess the best administration method for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The clinical use of stem cells is still in its early stages, and determination of the ideal route to administer these cells in horses affected by laminitis is worth further investigation.

Help Investigators Improve Surgical Precision for Oral Cancer Surgery in Dogs

Despite efforts to ensure complete removal of cancerous tissue, canine patients still experience high rates of residual disease and local recurrence. For specific tumor types like Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma, and Fibrosarcoma, local recurrence rates are high. This highlights the need for more accurate diagnostic imaging modalities that allow for tumor-specific surgical planning. This aim of this pioneering study is to achieve long-term local control and prevent metastasis through surgical excision of all cancerous tissue.

Wild and Feral Cats in Populated Areas Release More Toxoplasmosis Parasites

A new analysis suggests that wild, stray, and feral cats living in areas with higher human population density tend to release—or “shed”—a greater amount of the parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis. The study also draws links between environmental temperature variation and parasite shedding.

Canine Tumor Genome Atlas Maps DNA in Pets to Help People with Cancer

Pioneering work in comparative oncology continues at UC Davis with the launch of a Canine Tumor Genome Atlas, the first genomic data bank of its kind outside of one developed by the National Cancer Institute. Eventually it may store hundreds of gene samples from companion dogs diagnosed with osteosarcomas, oral melanomas and gliomas. These three cancers are remarkably similar to the same cancers found in humans and, sadly, they can be uniformly fatal in both species. Through comparative oncology, scientists seek to find cures that work in dogs in the hope that similar therapies may work in people. In fact, canine clinical trials are underway at UC Davis to test an immunotherapy agent to fight cancer.

UC Davis Study Reports Successful Use of Hair Samples for Detection of Bisphosphonates in Horses

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine researchers recently reported on the successful long-term detection of bisphosphonates in equine hair samples. The study, led by Dr. Heather Knych of the K.L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab's Pharmacology section and the Department of Molecular Biosciences, has beneficial implications for racehorse health and welfare. It was supported by a special call for bisphosphonate research from the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation. Bisphosphonates are molecules that strongly bind to bone material and prevent bone resorption and natural remodeling. Two bisphosphonates are approved for use in horses that are four-years-of-age and older, clodronate disodium (Osphos) and tiludronate disodium (Tildren). They are safe and effective at relieving pain and lameness in horses with navicular syndrome.

UC Davis Veterinary Scientists Present Research at World’s Largest Equine Reproduction Conference

Drs. Pouya Dini, Daniela Orellana-Guerrero, Catherine Renaudin, Thadeu de Castro, and Kornelia Omyla of the Equine Reproduction Service recently presented research at the International Symposium on Equine Reproduction (ISER), the world’s largest gathering of its kind. Additionally, members of the school’s Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory also presented at the conference, held in Brazil. Over the past 50 years, the symposium has become an essential part of the calendar of scientists and veterinarians who study reproduction in horses and other equids throughout the world. ISER was held at UC Davis in 1978.

Champion Dressage Horse Saved with Colic Surgery

Congratulations to the Equine Emergency Surgery team for successfully completely a colic surgery on Sunny, a 24-year-old Arabian dressage athlete. Dr. Isabelle Kilcoyne, assisted by surgery residents Drs. Bridget Ratliff and Mitja Miklavcic and intern Dr. Marta Horna removed eight feet of Sunny’s small intestine after a lipoma strangulated the intestine. Due to the seriousness of the Sunny’s condition, anesthesiologists Drs. Harriet Flynn and Manuel Fernades-Barrientos worked extremely hard to keep him alive during the surgery. Additionally, thank you to the technical staff for their tremendous care. The success story was covered in the Davis Enterprise, HorseTalk, Paulick Report, and Horse & Hound.

Veterinary Student’s Family Adopts Patient in Her Care

Tori, an estimated 2-year-old German shepherd mix, has a new forever home thanks to second-year DVM student Lauren Prince. Her parents adopted Tori soon after the Fracture Program treated her for a broken leg and the Community Surgery Service spayed her and removed her injured eye. Tori and Lauren’s journey together is a tremendous example of the value that the Access To Care Program holds for our community.

Sacramento Zoo Chimpanzee Undergoes Kidney Surgery at VMTH

There is never a dull moment at the VMTH, but some days are more exciting than others! Such was the case two weeks ago when Maria, a 22-year-old chimpanzee from the Sacramento Zoo, visited the hospital for an abdominal CT scan. The scan confirmed a large mass on her right kidney, so the veterinary team prepped her for immediate surgery. They removed her kidney with an attached grapefruit-sized mass that was later determined to be an oncocytoma, a benign growth that rarely causes symptoms. In fact, Maria had shown no indication of being in discomfort; the mass was initially discovered during a preventive health exam.  

Dedicated Teamwork Successful in Keeping Dog’s Cushing’s Disease Under Control

Patches, a 10-year-old Chihuahua mix, has been battling Cushing's disease and other related complications for more than five years. His dedicated owner, Jazmin Perez, routinely drives almost two hours to UC Davis so Patches can have consistent care under the watchful eye of internal medicine specialist Dr. Sean Hulsebosch. His Cushing's disease led to kidney problems and ureteral obstructions, ultimately requiring the need for the implantation of artificial ureters called a subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB). Now nearly a year since the surgery, the SUBs continue to function well, and Patches’ kidney issues have resolved. Dr. Hulsebosch continues to see Patches regularly to keep the Cushing’s disease under tight control.

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