Small Animal

Orphaned kittens experience more stress than kittens cared for by their mothers, according to a new UC Davis study. Understanding the effect of being orphaned on responses to stressful events could improve their care.

Wildfires burned across the Western U.S. in August and September, killing at least 35 people and destroying more than 5,800 buildings. Veterinarians on emergency response teams treated injured animals, helped find and evacuate those in danger, and monitored animals staying on pastures after their owners evacuated.

Heavier mixed-breed dogs have higher health risks if neutered or spayed early, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The study also provides guidance on best age to neuter mixed breeds by weight.

In Dean Michael Lairmore’s annual State of the School address on May 21st, he congratulated the school for being named #1 again world-wide by QS World Rankings.

Researchers and clinicians at UC Davis veterinary hospital are evaluating a novel technique to better understand and treat canine epilepsy.

The Veterinary Medical Center campaign is the largest fundraising effort ever by a veterinary school. And as it progresses, the school is celebrating the clients, patients and care teams who are the reason behind the center, and provide new tools where hospital personnel can find the latest construction information.

In order to provide better service to clients and improve clinical workflow, the UC Davis veterinary hospital is opening a new call center in late August 2019. Currently, the hospital receives upwards of 1,800 phone calls per day, fielded by 10-15 client service representatives (CSRs) at the busiest times – all of whom are physically located in one of three walk-up reception areas. The new call center will be housed away from the reception areas to give CSRs an opportunity to provide dedicated one-on-one client service.

Four residents from the UC Davis veterinary hospital recently took home research awards from the 2019 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) annual conference. As one of the largest veterinary conferences in the world, ACVIM receives resident research submissions from some of the best and brightest young minds in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Danika Bannasch, a renowned geneticist from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, recently received an International Canine Health Award for her role in transforming dog health. As some of Europe’s most prestigious veterinary honors, the awards were organized by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

One of the most distinctive body parts of your typical English bulldog, French bulldog, or Boston terrier—their coiled screw tail—might be caused by a specific genetic mutation, suggests recent research. And more importantly for humans, that same genetic quirk might help scientists better understand a rare disorder in people.