News and Happenings at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Address: One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 Member Since: August 13, 2008 Last Signed In: November 19, 2008 Blog Views: 496 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
Raptor event a huge success
Heartsick holidays? Pet Loss Support Hotline may help Pets with cancer featured on KQED DNA Discovery in Dalmatians Open House November 15 at California Raptor Center, Davis Glowing cat will help scientists Dog Wash November 9! Diseases of the immune system in dogs and cats Veterinary technicians essential to the animal health team UC Davis Centennial and 60th anniversary of Vet Med August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 
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Thank you to all who visited the Fall Open House at California Raptor Center November 15. More than 200 visitors came, starting bright and early at 8 am for the Hawk Walk. When we ran out of room in the classroom, volunteers even added another demonstration so more people could participate and get a good look at a raptor up close.
Thank you all for supporting the veterinary care and rehabilitation of these magnificent birds of prey.
As we head into the holiday season, the festivities may also bring back memories of lost loved ones, including pets that we once cared for deeply.
This may be the time to take advantage of the Pet Loss Support Hotline at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Trained veterinary student volunteers are available to listen, help you sort through emotions or questions, or help you find support in your geographical area. You can also request free literature. Hotline toll-free phone number: Tel (800) 565-1526
For those of you who receive KQED TV Channel 9 in San Francisco--tune in Tuesday, November 25, 7:30 pm, when the science program "Quest" touches on the topic of cancer in people and in pets.
Experts from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Medicine will talk about the similarities between canine and human cancers--and why scientists are studying both dogs and people to develop new treatments. Oh, and some pretty cute dogs also appear on the show. Dr. Danika Bannasch and other veterinary researchers have found a gene mutation that causes high levels of uric acid in all Dalmatian dogs and bladder stones in some Dalmatians. They have also discovered that this mutation occurs in other breeds of dogs. The discovery equips dog breeders with the tools to eliminate that trait. Knowing the defective gene will also help scientists find out what causes similar problems in humans. Details on our Web site: www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whatsnew/article.cfm?id=19 59 To have a Dalmatian or other dog tested for canine hyperuricosuria, visit the school's Veterinary Genetics Laboratory: http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/... (Click "services" and then the dog icon to find testing info.)
The School of Veterinary Medicine welcomes you to an open house at the California Raptor Center in Davis on Saturday, November 15. The event is free (free parking, too!). Click here for directions: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.e... This is your chance to see birds of prey up close when some teaching animals and foster bird moms come out of their cages. The center takes care of injured or orphaned birds. At the same time, the veterinarians who treat the animals teach veterinary students how to treat broken wings and other injuries. You can also visit the California Raptor Center at other times. Admission is free but donations are always welcome. You can even "adopt" a bird. One of our profs, Leslie Lyons, worked with scientists from Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species to confirm that they had cloned a very special tabby cat.
With the cloning of this cat, whose ears, nostrils, eyes and gums glow green when exposed to ultraviolet light, health scientists move toward creating an animal model of cystic fibrosis and other inherited diseases.
This fluorescence gene will be paired with different disease genes to make them easier to study. Someday this work may help scientists develop therapies for cystic fibrosis and other inherited diseases.
Dr. Lyons, an animal geneticist interested in all kinds of cats, also confirmed the clones of Cc (Copycat), the world's first cloned cat, and other cloned felid species. She identified the gene for polycystic kidney disease, an inherited disorder in more than a third of Persian cats and a common disorder in humans. Now there is a test available so that owners can find out if their cats have the defective gene. Dog Wash Sunday, November 9 Veterinary students will be doing the washing at the Arden Animal Hospital, 1823 Fulton Avenue between Arden Way and Alta Arden in Sacramento. The event takes place between 9:00am and 4:00pm. Call 916-485-5412 to reserve a spot for your favorite canine. Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome. You can drop dogs off for their baths and pick up pets within 1-2 hours. Prices are $20 and up, depending on the size of the dog. Dr. Tom Kendall, the hospital's owner, has generously donated the use of his hospital's facilities for this event, which raises money for students to attend a national symposium in Ohio just for veterinary students. Professor Peter Moore just received an international award from the WALTHAM company for adding to our understanding of immune system neoplasia in dogs and cats. A neoplasia is an abnormal growth of cells that may be a sign of cancer or other disease. Dr. Moore is a veterinarian and a scientist. He has helped develop new diagnostic tests and treatment recommendations for dogs with lymphoma, leukemia, and histiocytic neoplasia. A better diagnosis helps veterinarians decide on the best and most timely treatment. Histiocytes are part of the immune system.You can find out more about histiocytic diseases at http://www.histiocytosis.uc.... Be aware that some clinical photos on this site show graphic depictions of disease processes. Despite the progress that Dr. Moore has made, he says, "We still need better education, earlier diagnosis, and enhanced treatment options for dogs with these diseases." And he promises to keep working on this health problem. During National Veterinary Technician Week October 12-18, we applaud the professionalism and dedication of the nursing staff at the School of Veterinary Medicine. These skilled technicians care for more than 30,000 animal patients each year, work with clients, and teach veterinary students. As manager Cindy Savely, RVT, puts it, "The technicians of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are the heart of pet wellness!" As UC Davis celebrated its Centennial last week, the School of Veterinary Medicine marked its 60th Anniversary. While the school is recognized for many accomplishments in the past, Dean Bennie Osburn reminded all the faculty, staff and students that everything we do is part of today's teaching mission. You, your veterinarian, and your pets also contribute to veterinary education whenever you bring an animal to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. As each patient receives the highest level of care, students observe and learn how to become better veterinarians, and our professors discover how to improve veterinary care for all animals. Thank you! |
