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Federal budget supports USask’s VIDO with $59.2M

Today the Government of Canada announced $59.2 million to the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). The funding supports the development of its vaccine candidates and the expansion of its research facilities, including a National Centre for Pandemic Research.

Uptick in Canada’s Lyme disease cases: why we should care

While human health workers are caring for people infected with the novel coronavirus, veterinary researchers are helping to protect the public from illnesses spread by another health threat: ticks.

The point of no infection

A team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and the College of Medicine are striving to find a reliable method for verifying when a horse with septic arthritis no longer has a joint infection — and no longer needs treatment.

Saskatchewan enhances support for rural veterinary services

The Government of Saskatchewan is introducing a number of initiatives to enhance the availability of veterinary services in rural Saskatchewan.

Hormone baseline for horses in the West

How do levels of insulin and other hormones in western Canadian horses compare to hormone levels measured in horses living in other parts of Canada and around the world?

Veterinary life on the road

Dr. Colton McAleer always wanted to follow in his family’s footsteps and have a career in the cattle industry. But after helping pull a calf during calving season one spring, he changed his mind and went to veterinary school.

Growing a practice in rural Saskatchewan

Jumping into ownership wasn’t the original plan that Dr. Zachary (Zach) Johnson had in mind when he was initially accepted into the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

Saskatoon COVID-19 wastewater testing results now online

Saskatoon residents now have access to the results of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 — thanks to a partnership between University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers, the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

New therapy helps horses breathe easier

Canadians have access to the first licensed and approved inhalation therapy specifically developed to help horses with severe equine asthma without causing unwanted side effects.

Primed up for a down horse

When the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) received a call about a down horse last fall, the hospital’s large animal clinical team jumped into action.

WeCAHN final piece of Canada's regional animal health surveillance network

A new initiative in Western Canada is the final piece in a national framework of regional animal health surveillance programs

Studying e-cigarettes' risk to reproductive health

E-cigarette companies spent more than $9 billion in marketing last year to promote their product as a healthy alternative to conventional cigarettes for smokers, but University of Saskatchewan (USask) scientist Dr. Ali Honaramooz (DVM, PhD) is not convinced.

Education key to vaccine acceleration

As someone who has dedicated his professional life to fighting life-threatening diseases, Dr. Volker Gerdts (DVM, PhD) knows the biggest impediment to getting back to normal are those who are hesitant or refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Boosting beef production through better biology approaches

A multi-agency research team led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) veterinary reproductive biologist Dr. Gregg Adams (DVM, PhD) aims to make rapid strides in improving the productivity, efficiency and sustainability of Canada’s $18-billion beef sector by integrating advances from the field of omics into livestock production.

Cardiac cases linked to caterpillars

A report recently published in Canadian Veterinary Journal tells the story of how a team of veterinarians at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) linked cases of an uncommon cardiac disease in horses with a caterpillar infestation in Saskatchewan.

Communicating in an animal's world

Animals have many ways to communicate with humans, but it’s not always easy to understand what they are trying to say.

Health information in the veterinary world

When you think of health information, you likely picture medical settings like hospitals and clinics. But health information isn’t just limited to humans; it’s easy to forget that animals have health information that requires managing, too.

Lucky Treasure

Bright-eyed and well developed, Treasure appeared to be a perfectly healthy foal except for one critical flaw: the black and white Gypsy Vanner filly had a steady dribble of urine running down her hind legs.

University offers safe haven for sleeping bats

More than 600 bats are now hibernating and staying cozy at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) after being discovered by accident at a construction site in northwestern Saskatchewan.

Swirski shines as horse health advocate

Mikayla Swirski, a senior veterinary student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), was among 10 North American veterinary students rewarded for their dedication to equine health during the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) virtual convention in December 2020.

USask researchers join COVID Variant Rapid-Response Network

University of Saskatchewan (USask) and University of Regina (U of R) researchers are joining forces with scientists across the nation to undertake surveillance, sequencing, tracing and research-driven action on the COVID-19 virus variants that have been identified in Canada.

Study reveals bacteria on eye's surface not all the same

A pioneering study led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Marina Leis (DVM, DACVO) shows that bacterial communities vary on different parts of the eye surface — a finding that significantly alters understanding of the mechanisms of eye disease and can lead to developing new treatments.