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Small Animal

two French bulldogs sleeping

Surgery and Chemotherapy Utilized to Avoid Amputation of Dog’s Paw

Posted by Rob Warren on June 25, 2020
When Violet, 2-year-old female French bulldog, was rescued by Alyssa Sterns, she had already been through more health problems than any young dog should. Overbred by a breeder, Violet developed hip dysplasia and had undergone surgery on both hips. Now, she developed a mast cell tumor on the paw of her left hind limb. Violet’s veterinarian informed Sterns that the tumor would be difficult to remove without amputating the paw, which was not ideal given her hip problems. So, Sterns took Violet to the UC Davis veterinary hospital for a second opinion.
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Jack's life was extended five years by participating in a clinical trial at the UC Davis veterianry hospital.

Successful Clinical Trial Added Years to Dog’s Life

Posted by Rob Warren on June 18, 2020
Jack the Shih Tzu was 7 years old when he traveled from Ontario, Canada to the UC Davis veterinary hospital in 2015. Given a cancer diagnosis with only a few months to live and with limited immediate treatment options, Jack’s family started a frantic search for help elsewhere. The search was a quick one, though, as one of the first items that appeared in their online hunt was a first-of-its-kind clinical trial at UC Davis to treat his exact condition.
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dog

Behavior Resident Wins Research Award

Posted by Rob Warren on June 16, 2020

Behavior resident Dr. Sun Kim was recently selected as the recipient of the 2020 American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) R.K. Anderson Resident Award. The recognition is given annually for outstanding research by veterinarians in ACVB residencies, such as UC Davis’ three-year advanced training program.

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Max was treated for foxtails in his lungs at the UC Davis veterinary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continual Care Available Throughout COVID-19 Crisis Saves Dog’s Life

Posted by Rob Warren on May 29, 2020
Max, a 4-year-old male Large Munsterlander, enjoys walks with his owners, Dr. Stevan Cavalier—a retired physician—and his wife Stephany near their home in the Bay Area. While they take precautions for their dogs due to the presence of foxtails in the area, it’s not always a guarantee that the dogs will stay completely away from the dangerous plants. Recently, Max had a decreased appetite, was lethargic, and had a fever and an increased respiratory rate. He was immediately taken to a local veterinary clinic.
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Pit bull that underwnet chemotherapy treatments at UC Davis veterinary hospital

Philanthropic Fund Helps Pit Bull Fight Cancer

Posted by Rob Warren on May 28, 2020
Mugsy, 12-year-old male pit bull terrier, was diagnosed with mast cell tumors in mid-2019. Owner Sarah Robinson—who adopted Mugsy 11 years prior while in nursing school—knew the prognosis wasn’t good, but wanted to seek the expertise of the cancer specialists at the UC Davis veterinary hospital, since oncology services were not available in her hometown of Reno.
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Goldie walked again after neurosurgery at the UC Davis veterinary hospital.

Neurosurgery and a Dedicated Owner Help Paralyzed Dog Walk Again

Posted by Rob Warren on May 26, 2020
Goldie, 14-year-old female spayed rat terrier, was living the good life on a horse farm with plenty of open land to run free. Her owner, Renee Johnson, describes her as full of vigor, rambunctious, and enthusiastic, with too much energy for city life in a small yard. Her duties as a barn dog kept her busy minding the 14 horses in her guard, not being afraid to bark orders when the horses were out of line or misbehaving. Unfortunately, that comfortableness around the horses got her in trouble, getting severely injured when one of them accidentally stepped on or kicked her.
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veterinary surgeons in action at UC Davis veterinary hospital

UC Davis Surgery Resident Wins National Award

Posted by Rob Warren on May 19, 2020
Surgery resident Dr. Maureen Griffin was recently awarded the 2020 American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC) Resident Achievement Award. The recognition is given annually to a resident in their final year of training who has achieved a high degree of excellence in their chosen specialty.
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Regnar, a 4-year-old German shepherd belonging to UC Davis veterinarians Drs. Boaz Arzi and Natalia Vapniarsky Arzi, was able to donate blood at the UC Davis veterinary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heroes During Pandemic Come in All Shapes and Sizes…and Species

Posted by Rob Warren on May 03, 2020

As a result of COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home and physical distancing orders, veterinary blood banks worldwide—including the UC Davis veterinary blood bank—are encountering shortages in blood supplies. In order to keep the hospital a safe environment, the blood bank is currently unable to enroll any new donors from the community. This has created a shortage of canine blood products (plasma, red blood cells, platelets) at the hospital.

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three legged dog

Osteoarthritis Problems in Three Legged Dogs

Posted by Rob Warren on April 01, 2020
Osteoarthritis problems in three-legged dogs are one of the biggest challenges owners will face. However, there are many things that can minimize the impact. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Denis Marcelin-Little was recently interviewed by Tripawds, a leading help center for three-legged dogs and cats.
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Kaiya's chemotherapy treatments at the UC Davis veterinary hospital have extended her life by almost a year so far.

Given Four Weeks To Live, Dog Still Thriving a Year Later

Posted by Rob Warren on March 30, 2020
Kaiya, a 4-year-old female bloodhound, was visiting the UC Davis veterinary hospital in early 2019 for a routine dermatology appointment. Upon physical examination, Kaiya’s veterinarians discovered several enlarged lymph nodes – beneath her jaw, at the front of her shoulders, in her right groin region, and at the back of her rear legs. Laboratory testing of the nodes came back positive for lymphoma.
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dogs at a UC Davis veterinary event

Information on Animals in Regards to COVID-19

Posted by Rob Warren on March 19, 2020
Many animal owners have been concerned about the possibility of their animals contracting the coronavirus. Dr. Jane Sykes, an internal medicine specialist with special interest in infectious diseases, and the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has conducted several media interviews recently to discuss the subject. We will continue to update this page with more media on animals and COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.
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Before and after images of a cat suffering from feline chronic gingivostomatitis that was treated with stem cells at the UC Davis veterinary hospital.

The Promise of Stem Cell Therapy: What We Know and Don’t Know About These Exciting Cells

Posted by Rob Warren on February 27, 2020

“My personal aim with stem cells is not to improve: I use it to cure. It’s ambitious, but that’s where we need to be,” said Dr. Boaz Arzi, director of the UC Davis Veterinary Institute for Regenerative Cures. “Stem cells do offer promise for many disorders that were previously not considered curable. But giving any regenerative therapy should be based on proper science and proper clinical trials. I think this is what we need to convey to the pet owner: not to be at full expectation, but also not to lose the excitement and the promise that it offers.”

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Veterinary student Valerie Fates cares for a cat hospitalized at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital during the 2017 Tubbs Fire.

Are Cats the ‘Canary in the Coal Mine’ for Wildfire Effects on Human Health?

Posted by Rob Warren on February 26, 2020
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.
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