This issue's highlights include:

• A Splash of Prevention: WCVM assistant professor Dr. Candace Grier-Lowe investigated the effectiveness of a water additive in reducing plaque and calculus in pets' mouths.

• Anything is Possible: A high school guidance counsellor once told Dr. Candace Grier-Lowe that she wasn't cut out for veterinary medicine. Now her story is an inspiration to young western Canadians.

The Companion Animal Health Fund's management committee directs the Fund's ongoing activities and projects throughout the year. Faculty members who are involved in companion animal health education, research or clinical services at the College sit on the committee along with several members of the Dean's Office and a student representative. Most members are volunteers who have been invited to serve the Fund.

For more information about the CAHF management committee and the fund's organization, click view the terms of reference (revised May 2008) for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Health Fund.

The Companion Animal Health Fund's advisory board brings a wide range of interests, backgrounds and opinions to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Board members include veterinarians, regional representatives of the Canadian Kennel Club, researchers and dedicated pet owners. CAHF's advisory board members ensure that the College's companion animal health research and training programs continue to be valuable and relevant to veterinarians, pet owners and companion animal associations across Western Canada. As well, these dedicated volunteers help to promote the goals and achievements of the Fund among their peers.

For more information about the CAHF advisory board and the fund's organization, view the terms of reference (revised May 2008) for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Health Fund.

This issue's highlights include:

• Scientists Get Paws on Pet Research: Eight research teams dig into pet health research projects at the WCVM after the CAHF targets more than $75,000 to this year’s projects. 


• Sharpen Up Your Vaccine Know-how: WCVM small animal internal medicine specialist Dr. Tony Carr answers frequently asked questions about pet vaccinations.



• Border Collie Collapse: Setting a Starting Point
: A WCVM research study sets the starting point for future investigations of border collie collapse (BCC). 


• DOGS KEY TO UNDERSTANDING CONGENITAL DISEASE IN DOGS: A unique muscle disorder not previously seen in Labrador retrievers is helping human researchers learn more about a congenital muscle disease in infant boys.

Here's a quick view of the stories that you'll find inside:

• NEW SEASON OF RESEARCH BEGINS: The CAHF awards more than $103,000 to support 10 pet health research projects at the WCVM. Go to page 4.

• VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES ON THE MOVE: WCVM researchers are looking at the prevalence of Saskatchewan dogs' exposure to vector-borne pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and other diseases. Go to page 6.

Freeman, who begins his five-year term on March 1, 2010, will become the regional veterinary college’s sixth dean in its 45-year history. He will replace Dr. Charles Rhodes, the WCVM’s dean since 2002. Rhodes is retiring after 39 years of service with the college.

“Dr. Freeman’s broad experience, his approachable personality and his collaborative manner will make an excellent fit with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Saskatchewan,” said Brett Fairbairn, the university’s provost and vice-president. “These qualities will serve him well in his new role as one of Canada’s key leaders in veterinary education, animal health, public health and food safety.”

"I am thrilled to be the next dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. It is an outstanding veterinary school with tremendous talent in a broad range of programs,” said Freeman. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and friends of the veterinary college in addressing current challenges and opportunities in veterinary medicine.”

For only $20 each, the Companion Animal Health Fund's new pet notecard sets are the ideal present for all of your animal-loving family and friends. Plus, your purchase will help to support vital companion animal health research and training programs at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine — Western Canada's regional veterinary college.

The deadline for submitting your 2012-13 CAHF grant application is October 21, 2011. Any researcher who is currently holding an CAHF grant must also submit a progress report(s) by October 21, 2011.

For more information, please contact the WCVM Research Office (306-966-7453; wcvm.research@usask.ca).

This year’s Vetavision offers a variety of educational displays, speakers, demonstrations and animals that will appeal to people of all ages, says Jasmine Dhillon, a fourth-year veterinary student and Vetavision’s co-ordinator.

Held every three years, the public exposition is entirely organized by veterinary students who are enrolled in the regional veterinary college’s four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. This is the 14th Vetavision since WCVM students hosted the very first event in 1970.

“Vetavision is the ideal chance for students to talk about the many different aspects of our profession with the public and how veterinarians play a part in everyone’s daily lives,” explains Dhillon. “Everybody knows that veterinarians provide health care for pets, horses and livestock. But many people are surprised to find out that veterinarians also play vital roles in food safety, public health and ecosystem health as well as animal and human health research.”

Here's a sneak peak at what you'll find inside this issue of Vet Topics:

RETINAL DYSPLASIA - GENE PURSUIT: Veterinary ophthalmology resident Dr. Bianca Bauer pursues one potential cause of retinal dysplasia — the most commonly inherited eye disorder in dogs.

AN IMPRESSIVE RESEARCH LINEUP: The Companion Animal Health Fund awards $57,000 to six companion animal health studies for 2009-10.

LIFE ON THE EDGE: Specialized animal health care workers tend to the seriously ill in the emergency and critical care unit at WCVM's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

EXTREME HEALTH CARE FOR PETS: Despite the pressure, the challenges and the heartaches associated with emergency and critical care, Dr. Jennifer Ogeer can't imagine being anywhere else.

BATTLING BUSTER'S BULGE WITH LOW GI DIETS: Can a common human dietary tool be used to control weight in pudgy pooches?

A FAMILY AFFAIR: Garry and Wendy Gerber, along with their dogs Hunter and Jade, are part of the Canadian Search Dog Association (CSDA) team.

Once you've joined our mailing list, you will receive regular updates about WCVM's companion animal health research projects, intriguing profiles of researchers, veterinary students and donors — plus valuable pet health management information from the College's companion animal health specialists!

Click here to download the entire publication (1.1 MB) or click on the following headlines to read individual stories:

• MICRO KITTY: WCVM scientists are the first to witness the diverse, complex microbial community living inside cats.

• STUDENT SCIENTIST: Second-year veterinary student Kristyna Musil delves into the interesting world of feline intestinal bacteria as a summer research student.