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.
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.
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.
Ducks Unlimited Canada endowed chair at USask the first of its kind in the country
A rising star in conservation science has been hired as the Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Horse Health Lines (Spring 2021) online
The Spring 2021 issue of Horse Health Lines, news publication for the WCVM’s Townsend Equine Health Research Fund, is now online.
Can delivery mode affect babies’ early gut microbiome?
A team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers is studying how the mode of delivery influences a baby’s early gut microbiome — the huge community of bacteria and fungi that lives inside our gastrointestinal tracts.
Can corn help to extend winter grazing?
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are exploring new ways to extend the winter grazing season for cattle by using what’s left after farmers harvest corn.
Decision tool will help protect beef herds from Johne’s disease
With the help of a new risk assessment tool, researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) may be able to help beef cattle producers slow down the spread of Johne’s disease among their herds.
USask awarded $6.76M to conserve bison, boost cattle production
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has received $6.76 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help conserve bison and other threatened animal species and to address challenges facing the beef cattle industry—including antimicrobial resistance.
Province commits funds for VIDO's 'Centre for Pandemic Research'
The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $15 million to support the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization’s (VIDO) position as a Centre for Pandemic Research.
Science at the farmgate
Beef and forage scientists connected with farmers and ranchers via a virtual platform this week to increase their understanding of how to improve the beef and forage industries using scientific discovery and innovation.
Calling all citizen scientists: help classify polar bears
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Doug Clark is launching a first-of-its-kind research project that will engage citizen volunteers to help advance knowledge about polar bear behaviour by analyzing a decade’s worth of images captured by trail cameras at Wapusk National Park in northern Manitoba.