The latest newsletter from the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center highlights collaborations among researchers from human and veterinary medicine. Articles include how clinical trials with animal patients speeds translation to improved care for people, partnerships in human-animal eye research, and new hope from novel canine cancer therapy treatments and feline stem cell therapy for an oral inflammatory disease. Read more
Crash, a 6-year-old male German shepherd, was starting to tire more easily on his walks and seemed “spacey” and listless. An MRI revealed an intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM)-more commonly seen in humans-located within the brain and behind his eyes. Veterinary neurosurgeons collaborated with human specialists to treat his condition.
Dazzy, a 4-year-old male French bulldog, began having seizures and acting aggressive toward strangers – a behavior he had never previously displayed. His owners took him to see their primary veterinarian who ultimately referred them to a neurologist near their home in Southern California. An MRI performed by the neurologist revealed a left intra-axial cerebral mass, most consistent with a glioma (brain tumor).
Boone, a 9-year-old male greater Swiss mountain dog, was previously diagnosed with stage 3 malignant oral melanoma based on the size of the tumor and spread of the tumor to his lymph nodes. His owner, Danae Unti, decided to bring him to the cancer specialists at the UC Davis veterinary hospital for further evaluation after their local veterinary oncologist suggested they seek further care at the university.
Kabang, a shepherd mix dog, was brought to UC Davis from the Philippines in October 2012 for surgery to repair massive facial wounds caused when her snout was torn from her face after being hit by a motorcycle.
Max, 7-year-old Saint Bernard, started having issues getting up and walking. It was clearly more than just a dog getting older, so his owners Joe and Kris Schratz took him to their primary veterinarian who administered therapy treatments in hopes of improving his condition. When Max’s limbs started getting progressively weaker, the veterinarian recommended taking him to the UC Davis veterinary hospital.
K-9 Officer Blitz, a 5-year-old German shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix with the Sanger Police Department, was performing routine training exercises with his handler and partner Corporal Brandon Coles when tragedy struck. While retrieving an item from under a car, Blitz caught his eye socket on the tailpipe, causing extensive damage. As Blitz bled profusely from around his right eye, Coles rushed him to a local veterinary clinic.
Swiss Star’s Chasing Moonbeams aka Luna, a 1-year-old female Bernese mountain dog, recently jumped out of the window of a moving car. After Luna immediately showed lameness in her pelvic limb, her co-owner Mary Beam had her examined by their primary veterinarian. X-rays showed a break in the head of Luna’s right femur, so she was referred to a local veterinary surgeon. After discovering that Luna was a champion show dog, the surgeon suggested Ms. Beam take her to see renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little at the UC Davis veterinary hospital.
Labrador retriever Gus was diagnosed with an acanthomatous ameloblastoma, a locally invasive tumor that does not tend to spread to other parts of the body.
Webb, an 8-year-old male golden retriever, has an important job, and many of America’s heroes rely on him every day. He was originally trained to be a service animal for a veteran with a disability, but it turned out that he wasn’t suited for individualized care. However, the Veterans Administration still saw potential in him, so now Webb serves as a therapy dog at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System – Menlo Park Division. He is charged with the mission of cheerleader, encourager, and all-around goodwill ambassador at the rehabilitation center.
