News
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New cancer therapy appeals to pet owners
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is now offering a new treatment option for pets with certain types of cancer. Veterinary oncologists Dr. Monique Mayer and Dr. Jerome Gagnon, along with their team, are studying stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a treatment choice for dogs with soft tissue sarcomas, a specific type of tumour commonly found on the …
April 03rd, 2018 Full story »
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“Protein illusion” in pet food
Having trouble deciding on a new pet food for your furry family member? With the hundreds of pet food brands stocked on store shelves, choosing the most nutritious one can be a daunting task for any pet owner. Because controversy often surrounds pet food companies, consumers are legitimately concerned that their pets may be consuming questionable ingredients that could be …
January 29th, 2018 Full story »
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Understanding X-rays can save dollars and lives
Dr. Jiaying Ng’s interest in the topic of gas in the abdomen began when she helped care for a canine patient that developed this potentially serious issue three weeks after surgery to remove a foreign body. “We were uncertain whether this gas was due to persistence from previous surgery or perforation of bowel from a suspected foreign body,” says Ng, …
January 23rd, 2018 Full story »
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Teamwork important for WCVM radiologist
Perseverance and dedication have led Dr. Lesley Zwicker to her role as the newest board-certified radiologist at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). Zwicker has faced a long journey to get to this point – earning diplomate certification by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) is a three-year process, which requires intensive studying and testing to meet the …
December 07th, 2017 Full story »
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Vet Topics (Summer 2017)
The Summer 2017 issue of Vet Topics is now available online. Click here to download a PDF version of the issue that includes the following stories: Sookie’s second chance: Sookie’s leg had to be amputated after it was caught in a snare trap. With the help of her owners and the WCVM’s surgery and rehabilitation teams, she was successfully fit for a prosthetic limb. …
July 12th, 2017 Full story »
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CAHF funds support AMR research
Funding received from the Companion Animal Health Fund (CAHF) has become a cornerstone of support for Dr. Joe Rubin’s research into antimicrobial resistance. This research area has broad implications for both human and animal health. The rise of antimicrobial resistance – in which commonly-used drugs to treat bacterial infections no longer work – is influencing the way veterinarians and human …
July 06th, 2017 Full story »
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Prosthetic leg gives Sookie a second chance
During the week before Christmas in December 2016, Shannon Hamilton and John Kunard’s dog Sookie went missing from their acreage near Shellbrook, Sask. Things didn’t look good for the two-year-old Great Pyrenees, especially when temperatures dipped below -30 degrees Celsius. The couple began checking with neighbours to see if anyone had found Sookie’s body. Then, on Christmas Eve, Hamilton and …
July 06th, 2017 Full story »
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What causes sudden blindness in dogs?
Sudden blindness. Eating more than normal. Increased thirst. Frequent urination. Doesn’t want to go for walks anymore. History of recent weight gain. I’m losing count of how many times I’ve read this same list of clinical signs in a canine patient’s file as I search through electronic medical records at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). My research supervisor, …
April 18th, 2017 Full story »
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Vet Topics (Winter 2017)
The Winter 2017 issue of Vet Topics is now available online. Click here to download a PDF version of this issue that includes the following stories: Pouncing on a protein: WCVM researchers are conducting research that may someday lead to a better treatment for inflammatory liver disease (ILD), a chronic condition in many cats. CAHF research fellows: A brief update on the fund’s …
January 07th, 2017 Full story »
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Ferret adrenal disease demystified
Adrenal disease causes ferrets to lose all of their fur, but despite their alarming appearance, these bald pets aren’t in any pain as long as their condition is properly managed. According to a 2003 study, 70 per cent of ferrets in the United States were affected by adrenal disease —which often is fatal if left untreated. “It is one of …
July 28th, 2016 Full story »
