Companion Animal Health Fund

The University of Saskatchewan’s Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Dr. Douglas Freeman as the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) new dean.

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.”

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Searching for the perfect gift to give your cat-loving cousin or your pal who has a penchant for puppies?

For only $20 each, the Companion Animal Health Fund's pet photo 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.

Continue reading "CAHF pet photo notecard sets now available!" »

The diverse world of veterinary medicine and an expanded Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is on public display from October 1 to 4 during Vetavision, a four-day open house at the veterinary college on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

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.”

Continue reading "Vetavision, WCVM's public open house: October 1 to 4" »

The Autumn 2009 issue of Vet Topics — publication for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Health Fund — is now online in a new, easy-to-navigate format. Click here to view the 16-page issue that's full of stories about the College's companion animal health program.

In this issue, Vet Topics also invites all of its readers to take an online reader survey and enter their names in a draw for one of several pet health care books. The deadline is November 30 — click here to take the survey.

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.

Want to read the latest pet health news from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine? Make sure you don't miss our next issue by joining the Vet Topics mailing list. To join, please click on the "Join Now" link (at right), fill in all of the required information and then submit your completed form.

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!

A new study about the microbial community in cats' intestines, management tips on dental health care for pets and a profile of a family that fosters pets undergoing radiation therapy are all part of the Winter 2009 issue of Vet Topics — publication for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Health Fund.

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.

Continue reading "Vet Topics (Winter 2009) now online" »

SASKATOON, SK– Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine have identified a genetic mutation in Labrador retriever dogs that is highly associated with exercise-induced collapse (EIC) syndrome.

The findings published this week in Nature Genetics are expected to help dog breeders gradually reduce the number of Labradors with the trait in future generations.

ABOVE: Dr. Susan Taylor of WCVM's Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences with her two Labrador Retrievers, Blue and Breeze.

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Canine rehabilitation, new research projects, and pet-hazardous foods and products are among the story subjects that you'll find in the Summer 2008 issue of Vet Topics. Click here to download your own copy (1.8 MB) of the Companion Animal Health Fund's news publication. Or check out the following Vet Topics stories and download the individual files:

• FELINE STUDY PUTS PCR TO THE TEST: A researcher's investigation of hemotrophic Mycoplasma in cat populations led to a double-check on the DNA-based test that's commonly used to identify the parasitic bacteria.

• BELLE'S BOND: The special human-animal bond is something that small animal resident Dr. Belle Nibblett appreciates and understands.

• OUR GROUP OF SEVEN: The Companion Animal Health Fund introduces its latest group of companion animal health studies.

• SURGEONS LEARN NEW TRICKS ABOUT DOG REHABILITATION: WCVM surgeons are recognizing the benefits of putting dogs on the treadmill to recovery.

• MELANOMA THERAPY: Veterinary medical oncologist Dr. Valerie MacDonald uses a new therapeutic vaccine for canine melanoma on one of her patients.

• HOME, HAZARDOUS HOME: What's in your home that's hazardous to your pet's health?

• BITS & BITES: The latest companion animal health news at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

(November 8, 2007)-- A North American research team that includes University of Saskatchewan molecular biologist Sheila Schmutz and Gregory Barsh of Stanford University has discovered a somewhat unexpected function for a gene in dogs.

The gene — beta-Defensin 103 — is part of a larger family of genes traditionally involved in immunity. But in an online Oct. 19th Science article, the team shows that a dominant mutation of this gene is the cause of black coat color in the majority of dog breeds.

Continue reading "Research team discovers what makes dogs black" »

(October 24, 2007)-- Tugging away at a tough research theory can be taxing on your own, but a solid team effort makes a hefty difference in research.

This year, the Companion Animal Health Fund has put its weight behind seven teams of WCVM scientists and their collaborators, granting more than $77,000 in funding to their pet health studies.

Click on the following links to learn more about each research project:

• Project One • Project Two • Project Three • Project Four • Project Five • Project Six • Project Seven

(October 19, 2007)-- Veterinary medical oncologist Dr. Valerie MacDonald is providing cutting-edge cancer therapy to pets at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

MacDonald, a veterinarian who has expertise in veterinary medical oncology, joined the college’s faculty in October 2006. This fall, the specialist established a clinical service in veterinary medical oncology at WCVM’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

“I work closely with western Canadian veterinarians who want to refer their patients to our new veterinary medical oncology service or need to consult with me about specific cases,” says MacDonald, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (medical oncology).

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Vet Topics (Fall 2007) is now on line: click here to download your copy (1.2 MB). Inside this issue:

• DOGGED DETERMINATION: Seven WCVM-led research teams receive more than $77,000 to conduct studies in companion animal health care.

• PURRFECT PAIN RELIEF: A WCVM team of scientists looks at the effectiveness of treating pain in cats with epidurally-administered analegics.

• A HEALTHY ADDITION: WCVM's health care resources for companion animals have gone through a growth spurt as more new facilities open this summer.

• DOES FIDO'S NOSE KNOW? A multi-disciplinary team of researchers looks at the potential for using trained dogs to detect transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder in other dogs.

• PUTTING PATIENT CARE FIRST: Dr. Jennifer Fowlie of Calgary, Alta., is the first recipient of the Buddy and Dr. Snead Award in Small Animal Care.

• CAHF DONOR ROLL: A partial list of CAHF contributors from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007, along with the Fund's 2006 financial statement. Click here to view the complete list of contributors to the Companion Animal Health Fund between the dates of July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007.

A number of WCVM faculty members have authored, co-authored or contributed chapters to books and manuals in the past few months. These texts cover a range of topics related to companion animal health: veterinary pathology, small animal anesthesia and analgesia (pain control), canine internal medicine, endocrinology, and the use of technology in veterinary teaching.

Continue reading "Author, Author! " »

Click here to download your copy of the Spring 2007 issue of Vet Topics. Here are some highlights from the Companion Animal Health Fund's news publication:

• THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW: WCVM veterinary students are making the final preparations for VETAVISION 2007 — the largest veterinary exposition in Western Canada.

• MAJOR DONATION BENEFITS COMPANION ANIMAL HEALTH: WCVM's programs for companion animal-focused health care and training for veterinarians have received a major boost from the Heather Ryan and L. David Dubé Foundation.

• VETERINARY DENTISTRY RESIDENCY PROGRAM APPROVED: WCVM has received approval from the American Veterinary Dental College to offer Canada's first accredited residency program in veterinary dentistry.

• PETS AND SECOND-HAND SMOKE: A WCVM study suggests that there are measurable changes in the heart and blood vessels of dogs exposed to second-hand smoke.

• MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST JOINS WCVM: Dr. Valerie MacDonald will soon be establishing a clinical practice in veterinary medical oncology at WCVM, along with teaching and research programs in the specialized area.

Continue reading "Vet Topics (Spring 2007)" »

Utah has helped to track and capture hundreds of criminals during his career with the Winnipeg City Police. Now, the Belgian Malinois is performing another public service by taking part in research at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and helping other dogs that are diagnosed with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS).

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Veterinary medical imaging specialist Dr. John Pharr of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine was the principal organizer for the premier event of the international veterinary radiology community: the 14th triennial meeting of the International Veterinary Radiology Association (IVRA) from August 7 to 11. This was Canada’s first opportunity to host the IVRA meeting that has been held every three years since the organization’s creation in 1967.

More than 250 delegates from 26 countries gathered in Vancouver, B.C., to attend the joint meeting of the IVRA and the American College of Veterinary Radiology. The European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and the European Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging also held annual meetings in conjunction with the international conference.

Pharr, who served as program chair, began organizing the event in 2000. The meeting’s program included several keynote speakers, 75 oral presentations and 19 poster presentations. International delegates also had the opportunity to browse through 28 commercial exhibits displaying everything from textbooks to ultrasound machines and digital imaging systems.

From left to right:
L. David Dubé and Heather Ryan accept a limited edition print entitled, "To the Field" by Jan Walker-Roenisch from U of S President Peter MacKinnon and WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes.

SASKATOON, SASK. (Aug. 29.06) -- The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan has received $1.07 million for its equine and companion animal health programs and a fund raising incentive from Heather Ryan and L. David Dubé through their charitable foundation.

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(SASKATOON, SASK.) -- Dr. Cindy Shmon, a small animal surgical specialist in WCVM's Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, is the recipient of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association's Small Animal Practitioner Award for 2006. The award was presented in July during CVMA's annual conference in St. John's, Nfld.

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(SASKATOON, SASK) -- The Companion Animal Health Fund (CAHF) has funneled nearly $80,000 into eight pet health-related research projects that will be conducted by a pool of researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine over the next two years.

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