‘Mom, the Vet’
First-year veterinary student Charlene (Charlie) Swain grew up in a family that surrounded themselves with animals, so a job with Fort McMurray’s SPCA seemed like a good fit for her after high school.
Land acknowledgement enhances campus culture
“As we gather here today, we acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.”
Jane Alcorn accepts new challenge in USask Pharmacy and Nutrition
With a background in veterinary medicine and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Jane Alcorn (PhD) brings a unique combination of education and experience as the new dean of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.
Seasonal link to ‘urinary blockage’ in cats?
Veterinary researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are investigating whether the time of year affects feline urethral obstruction (UO) in Saskatchewan’s cat population.
USask-led study shows insecticides threaten survival of wild birds
New research at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) shows how the world’s most widely used insecticides could be partly responsible for a dramatic decline in songbird populations.
USask recruits top tier dentistry researcher
An international leader in salivary research and how it can be an overall health indicator has joined the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Dentistry.
Revelling in research: poster day celebrates undergraduate program
From disease in honey bees to pain management in beef calves, the research topics on display at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) annual undergraduate research poster day spanned species big and small.
Understanding metabolic bone disease in reptiles
Today’s pet market offers more species of reptiles than ever before. But all too often, these popular pets are falling ill with completely preventable diseases such as metabolic bone disease (MBD) – a condition that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
Faba beans potential pet food ingredient?
Do you ever survey the vast options of pet foods and find yourself wondering which one your pet will enjoy?
Dachshund gait analyzed in new study
Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) student, Rachel McCann, spent her summer surrounded by small, wiggly canines.
WCVM researcher receives beef industry award
Dr. John Campbell, a leader in beef animal health and welfare, has been awarded the 2019 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. Campbell was honoured on August 14 during the 2019 Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary, Alta.
Blood donation program for pets seeks volunteers
When Emma Thomson adopted Asha from a local shelter, she wasn’t expecting to come home with a dog that day — let alone one that would become a life-saving support for other animals.
Heart health’s potential link to early-life nutrition
While researchers are well versed in the cardiovascular risks associated with a bad diet, a lack of exercise, and smoking, they’re still learning about another possible risk factor that could lead to poor cardiac health: what you consume in the first few weeks of your life.
WCVM researchers part of polar report
A federal science report describing field research in Canada’s Arctic features the work of veterinary parasitologist Dr. Emily Jenkins, a professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher.
WCVM internship primes vet for large animal practice
Dr. Robin (Rob) Stevens had been a practicing physiotherapist for several years when he decided to adopt Cola, a rescue dog from Taiwan. Although Stevens knew he could provide a better life for Cola, he had no idea that his new pet would ultimately lead him to a new path in life as well.
Researcher inspired by memory of beloved horse
Samantha Steinke is a biomedical engineering master’s student, but her love for horses is what led her to apply her expertise to a research project at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).
Watching for wild carriers of avian influenza
Most people who see a flock of wild ducks flying over a lake don’t automatically think about the diseases these birds could be carrying, but for many chicken and turkey producers, the threat of wild birds spreading disease to their flocks is all too real.
Panel updates guidelines for managing parasites in pets
As more problems related to ticks, worms and other parasites emerge in veterinary clinics across Canada, practitioners now have access to the latest guidelines on managing and treating these organisms in their patients.
This little piggy went to market
How well do weaned piglets cope with stress during transport? Western Canada exports large numbers of weaned piglets each year, but the effects of these transports on piglets’ health and welfare is poorly understood.
Ecologist’s work targets what makes Lyme disease tick
Dr. Maarten Voordouw and his wife Anne enjoy being outdoors, especially with their young daughters, Naia and Margot. But after any outing, particularly if the girls have been playing in the grass or leaves, the couple are diligent about checking for ticks.
WCVM researchers receive $5.6-million for advanced diagnostics research
The future of diagnostic testing for livestock disease could fit into the palm of your hand.
USask researcher recognized for work on predator-prey relationships
It’s a life she hadn’t imagined when she was a young student.
Understanding the “bacterial bond” between mother and baby
A collaborative study that includes researchers from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the University of British Columbia is focusing on an unusual but significant aspect of the relationship between a mother and her infant.
Bats waking up to viral reactivation
I feel like a predator. Only my target isn’t a blood meal – it is something far more precious.
Lack of research hinders help for animal hoarders
While reality television shows such as “Hoarding: Buried Alive” have brought attention to people who stash away piles of books, clothing and other objects, the issue of animal hoarding often goes unpublicized and unrecognized as a health concern.