dogs
-
Vaccinations key to preventing distemper
Recent headlines about canine distemper cases in the Saskatoon area are highlighting the need for pet owners to regularly vaccinate their dogs and prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease. “Distemper virus can cause very serious illness and death. Our vaccines are nearly 100 per cent effective so we strongly advocate prevention through vaccination,” says Dr. Jordan Woodsworth, wellness …
March 14th, 2013 Full story »
-
Student takes closer look at blastomycosis
With a strong interest in internal medicine, Susan Mehain of North Vancouver, B.C., has been thoroughly enjoying her experience at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). “It’s great to meet other students who share your interests,” says the veterinary student. “And the opportunity to be around some remarkable clinicians and researchers here is really amazing.” One of Mehain’s favourite …
May 29th, 2012 Full story »
-
Funds back baker’s dozen of research projects
Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have received more than $183,000 in grants to support a baker’s dozen of vital research projects that will enhance equine and companion animal health care in Canada. “The calibre of the submitted research proposals was very high this year — making it difficult for the funds to make a final selection …
March 27th, 2012 Full story »
-
Pets get their groove back with rehabilitation
Meet Rose, a four-year-old, shepherd-border collie cross with alert, intelligent eyes. Judging by the way Rose tears around the dog park these days, you’d never guess that two years ago she was facing down a debilitating injury that made it painful to walk. Her owner, Jan Morris of Saskatoon, Sask., first noticed something was wrong when Rose showed an occasional …
March 01st, 2012 Full story »
-
Fat cats and portly pups
Q. How prevalent is obesity in pets? There are tremendous variations among the few research studies that focus on pet obesity. One study estimates that about 40 per cent of dogs and 25 per cent of cats are overweight. Other studies report more conservative numbers. Pet obesity is a global problem that varies from area to area. Demographics, climate and …
December 29th, 2011 Full story »
-
Northern dogs: sentinels for parasites?
Large, free-roaming dog populations in northern Saskatchewan communities often carry parasites that can pose significant health risks to people living in the area. The dogs can act as disease reservoirs, passing parasite eggs in their feces. People then become infected from environmental contamination. “If we see parasites on the rise in the dog population, then we know that humans in …
November 30th, 2011 Full story »
-
CAHF Research Grants: 2009-2010
What can lung tissues tell us about acute necrotizing pancreatitis? Drs. Baljit Singh and Anthony Carr, WCVM A form of pancreatitis called acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is associated with a high rate of mortality in dogs. Researchers believe ANP occurs when enzymes that normally aid with digestion become activated within the pancreas. That leads to the death of pancreatic tissue …
June 05th, 2009 Full story »
-
CAHF Research Grants: 2008-2009
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) in dogs Drs. Joseph Rubin and Manuel Chirino-Trejo, WCVM; Alice Wong and Steve Sanche, Royal University Hospital Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) is an emerging pathogen in animals worldwide; very little is known about the strain types or prevalence of MRSA in dogs. With the recent isolation of MRSA from canine patients at WCVM, there’s a need …
June 05th, 2008 Full story »
-
Scientists discover what makes dogs black
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 …
November 08th, 2007 Full story »
