Camp Fire

Cats who suffered burns and smoke inhalation in recent California wildfires also had a high incidence of heart problems, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. The study represents the first published research to come from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine on feline victims of California wildfires and was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.

As Californians have fled ferocious wildfires in recent years, UC Davis scientists, veterinarians, physicians and teachers have also been responding to that trauma: treating people and animals, investigating the effects on mental and physical health, and trying to discover what the future might hold as wildfires burn into towns and suburbs.

In the aftermath of California's deadliest wildfire in November, the UC Davis veterinary hospital as well as the Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) launched into action. Nearly 70 animals were brought to UC Davis for treatment while hundreds of others were evaluated and treated in the field by VERT. This was a comprehensive team effort, comprised of faculty, veterinary technicians, students and staff.