News

Matsi the mare is safe and sound after an incredible rescue effort involving UC Davis veterinary experts, emergency responders, and animal rescue organizations from Northern California.

On December 9, 2024, Matsi, an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse-Quarter Draft cross, found herself stuck in an underground space beneath an empty rice silo.

Across California, shelters and communities are faced with unprecedented challenges to accessing essential veterinary care that helps ensure pets spend fewer nights waiting in shelters and more time happy at home. Since its launch in February 2022, California for All Animals has awarded $16.5 million in funding for spay/neuter services and $20 million for programs and services that keep pets and people together.

“Case of the Month” – December 2024

Otis, a 6-year-old pug, has not had the easiest road in life, but thanks to a devoted owner and a dedicated care team, his future seems brighter. Otis was rescued as a very young puppy by Jennifer Newman, an experienced pug owner.

As another year draws to a close, we reflect with pride on the incredible achievements and impactful work of our school. This culminating year of our 75th-anniversary celebrations has been marked by groundbreaking discoveries, significant expansions, and unwavering dedication to animal, human and planetary health.

Every winter, millions of migratory birds fly south to warmer locales, passing over California Central Valley dairies and poultry farms. Many of these wild waterfowl are carrying the virus that causes avian influenza, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's wild-bird surveillance, says Maurice Pitesky, University of California Cooperative Extension poultry specialist in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis.

This year, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine hosted Buddy the Elf—or at least the Fair Use tribute version of him. Buddy brought the reindeer in for health checks before their big night, visiting the various areas of the school and meeting with Dean Mark Stetter along the way.

Among the herd were some unexpected members, including reindeer that looked suspiciously like cows, horses and dogs. In addition, Buddy was joined by a band of elves, who also might look familiar to people connected to the school and its students, staff and faculty.

The Ophthalmology Service recently upgraded its surgical microscope, allowing the opportunity for a never-before-performed surgical procedure at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. This cutting-edge ophthalmic technology also opens more appointment opportunities, increased specialty training opportunities for residents, and an advanced approach to compassionate care.

Whale researchers dropped a mic into the seas off southeast Alaska and recorded a humpback making a “whup”-like noise, translated roughly as a humpback hello. The next day, they lowered a speaker into the water and played the recorded “whup” back as a pod of whales passed by. One whale, a middle-aged female named Twain, responded in kind. For 20 minutes, Twain and the scientists “whupped” back and forth, 36 times in a row. Researchers even varied the timing of their calls and Twain matched their tempo.

Veterinarians play a critical role in the health and well-being of our pets. To help support the next generation of veterinarians and in honor of International Day of Veterinary Medicine, Purina has announced its donation of $4.5 million to three top veterinary schools in the U.S. to drive innovation and excellence in pet health and veterinary education over the next five years and beyond.

Adapted from an article by the Wildlife Conservation Society

Dr. Pranav Pandit, a veterinary epidemiologist with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, helped launch a new Pandemic Prevention Leadership Initiative earlier this year. The program—a collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and EpiEcos—was funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.

Originally posted at UC Berkeley News

An assessment completed this week at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine determined that pneumonia caused the Oct. 23 death of Nox, the youngest member of UC Berkeley’s well-known falcon family.

“Case of the Month” – November 2024

Tuna Sandwich, an approximately 6-week-old female kitten, was brought to the FieldHaven Feline Center by a Good Samaritan after being found abandoned near a Subway restaurant (hence the name). FieldHaven has been a great community partner to UC Davis for more than a decade, presenting many primary care and specialty service patients, as well as clinical trials participants.

When Sarah Lindley found a lump near her dog Bucky’s tooth, she didn’t think it was a problem. The lively husky mix, which she and her partner, Tom Yuzvinsky, consider part of the family, didn’t appear to be in pain. Still, she scheduled an appointment with her local veterinarian on the Central Coast.

“At first we thought something was stuck in his gums and he might lose a tooth,” Lindley said. “Then the biopsy came back as cancerous.”

***This article first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of the CCAH Update newsletter.***

***This article first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of the CCAH Update newsletter.***