News

Red-tailed hawks can compensate for feather loss during molt by subtly changing their wing and tail movements, according to a new study by University of California, Davis, researchers in the College of Engineering and the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine. 

Thanks to the team approach to patient care at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), Lucy survived a rare pregnancy complication. The 18-year-old American Quarter Horse mare was discovered to have a non-viable fetus and was treated for a potentially fatal infection and escaped development of life-threatening complications.

When tiny kitten Sunshine was brought to the Itsie Bitsie Rescue by a Good Samaritan, it was immediately clear to staff that she was not going to be a typical case. The rescue takes in approximately 750 kittens per year, mostly strays and transfers from shelters. These kittens are a highly vulnerable population and are the most likely to be euthanized at shelters. But maybe none as vulnerable as Sunshine.

“We could tell right away that she had pectus excavatum, but she was stable,” said Kristen Puff, director of operations at Itsie Bitsie Rescue.

Augmented reality (AR) eyeglasses have the potential to improve outcomes in some complex canine veterinary surgeries, according to a new article in the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR).

On June 16, the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and the UC Davis Police Department held a Faithful Partners K9 Memorial to honor canine officers killed in the line of duty across the state from 2012-2025. Officers from law enforcement units throughout California gathered at the grassy area near the bronze memorial statue on the veterinary campus to commemorate 27 of their partners who gave it their all in the line of duty. 

The following is Dr. Morgan's obituary written by his family.

Dr. Joe P. Morgan died on May 31, 2026, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  After graduating from Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1960, Dr. Morgan served as an AVMA Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1961.  He received an M.S. from Colorado State University in 1962 and was an NIH Fellow at the Royal Veterinary College in Stockholm, Sweden from 1964 until 1967, where he successfully defended his Vet. Med. Dr. dissertation.

UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Mark Stetter recently joined host Stacy Pursell on The People of Animal Health Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, wildlife conservation, veterinary innovation, and the future of global health.

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have long been known as contributors to orofacial pain and dysfunction in a dog’s ability to maintain a good quality of life, including eating, drinking, vocalizing, and using their mouth for useful activities. Treatment of TMJ conditions—such as cancerous tumors, severe inflammatory diseases, and septic arthritis—have progressed significantly over the past decade with research and clinical breakthroughs by veterinarians dedicated to oral health.

The 60th Dental Squadron of Travis Air Force Base partnered with the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine during a two-day symposium May 20-21, 2026, to provide Air Force dental residents hands-on training in canine dentistry and military working dog (MWD) care.

The training expanded military dental residents’ ability to identify and treat oral health conditions in MWDs, whose dental readiness directly impacts their ability to support force protection and detection operations across the Department of the Air Force.

This article first appeared on the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources blog

Farmers, ranchers and anyone else who raises cows, horses and other large animals in the Central Valley and across the U.S. face a major problem – not enough veterinarians to care for their animals.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine

Dr. Maria Vasquez already has a favorite aspect to her position in the small animal hospital—helping manage stress for clinicians and families with hospitalized pets. By getting more hands-on time with her patients, she provides an additional resource to medical teams and reassurance to clients that the best care is being provided for their beloved pets.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine

Luna is back to work as a certified therapy dog—bringing her calm nature to healthcare centers, schools, airports, and other places—after neurosurgery to remove a difficult-to-access brain tumor. The 9-year-old Maltese was the first patient enrolled in a clinical trial investigating fluorescence-guided surgery to remove canine brain tumors.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine

This article first appeared in the June 2026 issue of Southern California VMA's Pulse magazine

Since 2024, certain telemedicine appointments have been available at UC Davis and other veterinary clinics throughout California. This has allowed both specialists and general practitioners to reach underserved areas of the state or areas where specialty care may be scarce.