Shoe-eating croc receives gastrotomyFebruary 22, 2021A 341-lb Nile crocodile is breathing comfortably after having a shoe removed from her stomach at the University of Florida (UF).
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Boehringer Ingelheim Awards honor emerging veterinary talentAugust 7, 2019Three veterinary students from across the U.S. are being celebrated for their research and the potential impact it may have on the future of the animal health industry.
UF VETS unveils new $150,000 disaster response vehicleMay 9, 2019Pets now have additional support when a natural disaster strikes, thanks to a new $150,000 disaster response vehicle. Able to treat large and small animals, University of Florida (UF) Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (UF VETS) offers technical rescues and logistical support to veterinary clinics and other response teams, as well as provides initial assessments of impacted areas. In the past, the team has responded to hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and animal hoarding situations. "Disaster relief is a key component of the Banfield Foundation, and we are humbled to support the important work of first responders as they offer help and hope to communities in need," says Banfield Foundation executive director, Kim Van Syoc. "Veterinary professionals who respond during natural disasters are truly inspiring. We hope this new vehicle improves not only the response process, but also the lives of those doing the lifesaving work." Funded by a grant gifted by Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities, the truck will function as a communications hub to interact with local emergency operation centers, shelters, and state agencies. The vehicle comprises a 44-ft (13-m) mobile command and infrastructure support truck and trailer. "We're grateful for the support of the Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities, as …
UF studies anesthetic with potential for misuse in racehorsesApril 16, 2019A local anesthetic with the potential for misuse in racehorses is being studied by veterinarians at the University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with UF Racing Laboratory. The study will observe bupivacaine as there are concerns the extended release form of the drug could be used unethically to mask pain or an injury in a racehorse. "Bupivacaine has been around for a while," says Taralyn McCarrel, DVM, an equine surgeon and the grant's principal investigator. "We don't use it a lot, as most of the time we're doing very short procedures and for those, we tend to use drugs that are shorter-acting. This is true also when we're using them in a lameness examination. We only need the drugs to last a few hours in most cases." "In this new formulation, tiny droplets of bupivacaine are wrapped in a membrane, which is the liposomal component. After injection, the liposomes start to break down, and gradually release these small pockets of drug over a long time." The research team will start by determining the minimal effective dose to block pain in a horse's foot and to assess how long the anesthetic effect lasts. They will then …
UF Small Animal Hospital to provide free eye and heart screening to service animalsMarch 27, 2019Service animals near the University of Florida's (UF's) Small Animal Hospital will be able to receive free eye and heart screenings, come May 3. Sponsored by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam, the event will only provide free exams on active working animals that have been certified by or enrolled in a formal service animal training program/organization. "Healthy eyes and vision are critical for a service animal to be able to perform to the best of its ability," says Caryn Plummer, DVM, who will perform the eye examinations. "Regular screening may help detect problems early, which are potentially sight- or comfort-threatening, so intervention may be possible." UF veterinary cardiology faculty members will do the heart screening exams. Should veterinarians decide further examination is required, the owners will be able to make a secondary appointment at the event. To participate in the event, service animal owners can register on the website from April 1 to April 30. They must also call UF Small Animal Hospital at (352) 392-2235 to schedule an appointment. (Ask for Holly Kitchen or Katherine Devine of the ophthalmology service.)
UF College of Veterinary Medicine spends $6 million to expand its facilitiesMarch 4, 2019University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine is expanding its facilities with a new $6-million addition, which will help to better train its students and offer primary care and dentistry services. Built a decade ago, the current building offers 100,000 sf with the new space adding about 12,000 sf. It will provide more space for primary care and dentistry services, and will also contain offices for administrative personnel. The ground floor of the original facility now has more room for emergency and critical care services. Before construction of the new building, primary care and dentistry service clients shared an entrance and lobby with emergency clients. The university says when pet patients are stabilized, they can be seamlessly transferred to primary care in the new building.
UF to study fatal heart disease in Doberman pinschersNovember 27, 2018The influence of genetic mutations on the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman pinschers is the focus of a new study.
UF vets save Dobie who nearly drownedJanuary 24, 2017Bo, a 7-month-old Doberman pinscher, had been let out one morning in November by his owner, Tania Travieso, of Ocala, Fla. When Travieso asked her son to let Bo and the other dogs back in.
Florida vet school forms collaboration with Miami-Dade Animal ShelterAugust 19, 2016A new partnership between the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the Miami-Dade County animal shelter aims to provide additional learning opportunities for veterinary students while enhancing the adoptability of shelter pets in South Florida.
Florida vet college awards parasitologist with top teaching awardJuly 29, 2016The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine recently named Heather Walden, Ph.D., as its 2016 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award. Dr. Walden is an assistant professor of veterinary parasitology.
