Research
USask alumnus Dr. Hugh Townsend to be inducted into equine hall of fame
A lifetime of working to enhance the health and welfare of horses across Canada has earned a place of honour in the Saskatchewan Horse Federation’s (SHF) Hall of Fame for University of Saskatchewan (USask) alumnus and professor emeritus Dr. Hugh Townsend.
USask scientists study space and sickness in feedlot cattle
As researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) study the impact of stocking density and feed bunk space allowance on the health of beef cattle, they’re pondering the age-old question: “Is less really more?”
Why studying microbiology will make me a better veterinarian
When I tell people that I spent a summer working with bacteria rather than animals, I get puzzled looks and they often ask, “What does that have to do with being a vet?” The answer is simple: everything.
From small-town kid to Vanier Scholar
When Cody Koloski graduated from high school in Rossburn, Man., he headed for university with dreams of becoming a doctor — buoyed by his teachers’ enthusiasm for biology, chemistry and physics.
Cattle producers and scientists 'rub shoulders' at research forum
Livestock and forage scientists at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) seeking to refine their research met with producers and industry leaders at the sixth annual Beef and Forage Research Forum.
Collaborative research team teases out significance of stressors found in pigs’ hair
Stress. We’ve all been there — those moments of acute stress when we’re stuck in traffic or those periods of chronic stress when life seems to chuck all the lemons at us. But did you know that all of this stress information gets stored in your hair?
USask researchers devise strategies for faster disease detection in honey bees
While the rise in antimicrobial resistant pathogens is an issue affecting all species, a team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers are focusing their efforts on honey bees — investigating how they can reduce the use of antibiotic drugs for managing disease in the pollinator species.
USask scientists find antimicrobial resistance gene linked to livestock treatment
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have discovered how a previously overlooked gene is involved in antimicrobial resistance — a growing global issue that threatens the health and welfare of both humans and animals.
Baseline for hormone levels in western Canadian horses takes shape
As the percentage of older horses in Western Canada grows, so does the number of animals that are diagnosed with endocrine disorders such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).
Llamas and alpacas: potential animal models for reproductive research?
A study at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) promises not only to provide important information about llama and alpaca reproduction but also to determine if the camelid species could become animal models for reproductive research.
Blood on the double
Dogs can donate life-saving blood to other dogs, just like people can give blood to their fellow humans. But veterinarians are still unsure about the best way to deliver blood from dog donors to the canine patients that urgently need it.
WCVM employee honoured for dedication to USask graduate students
When University of Saskatchewan (USask) graduate students first enter the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Department of Veterinary Microbiology, one of the first to greet them is Linda Nemeth — the department’s graduate programs co-ordinator and assistant.
USask researchers probe drug’s potential ability to block pre-term labour
How can we decrease the occurrence of pre-term births in women? Can a cancer research drug help us find a solution? These are questions facing reproductive scientist Dr. Daniel MacPhee (PhD) and his research team at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Beloved cat inspires teen's pet health research gift
Percy Jackson was an affectionate, snuggly kitten who immediately bonded with his new owner Charlie Hoffman. The ragdoll cat was an important support for Hoffman, a 14-year-old high school student, who needed support to deal with anxiety and symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Vet Topics (Winter 2023) now online
The Winter 2023 issue of Vet Topics, news publication for the veterinary college's Companion Animal Health Fund, is now available online.
A passion for pets
Growing up in the French countryside, Dr. Mathieu Paulin was always surrounded by pets of all kinds including dogs, a goat and many ducks.
USask research team explore protein’s role in herpesvirus infections
Herpesviruses are nothing new, but what’s surprising are their sheer number: 130 species of herpesviruses infect and cause disease in a wide variety of species — including people.
Range to research: how ranch lessons aid my research job
At first glance, sitting on the back of a horse watching cattle graze seems a whole world apart from extracting DNA at a pristine lab bench. But my experiences in research and ranching have shown me that both disciplines share common principles.
WCABP names WCVM graduate bovine vet of the year
Dr. Calvin Booker of Okotoks, Alta., a Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) graduate, is the 2023 recipient of the Veterinarian of the Year Award — an honour supported by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP) and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada.
A quarter century of service at USask
Let’s turn back time 25 years to 1997, when Jean Chrétien was re-elected prime minister, the blockbuster movie Titanic premiered in theatres, Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win the Masters at age 21, and the first book in the soon-to-be wildly successful Harry Potter series was published.
USask scientists receive provincial honours
Dr. Volker Gerdts (DVM, PhD), director and CEO of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and professor in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), has been recognized with an Achievement Award by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).
Saskatchewan ag research funding includes over $2.3 million for WCVM scientists
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers based at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) received over $2.3 million from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) for livestock research.
Improving livestock health overall aim of WCVM research studies
Detecting infectious poultry diseases more quickly and developing regional influenza vaccines for pigs are among 28 innovative livestock and forage research projects at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) that will receive funding through the Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) in 2023.
USask scientist looks at link between zoonotic diseases and imported dogs
A veterinary researcher at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is hoping to connect with pet owners or canine rescue organizations that have recently imported dogs into Canada or plan to bring animals into the country.
USask research income growth leads Canada’s medical universities
Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities rankings for 2022 published Wednesday place the University of Saskatchewan (USask) first among the country’s tier of 16 medical universities for research income growth from all grants, contracts, and contributions.
USask study aims to gain understanding of finishing diets for bison
A team of researchers from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are gearing up to explore the impact of starch concentration in the finishing diets of bison — a specialized livestock species in Canada.
Pollinators, canola and pesticides targeted in USask study
Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are evaluating the effects of pesticides on honey bees and other pollinators that subsist on the pollen of canola — Saskatchewan’s top crop.
USask study finds bulls’ breeding soundness unaffected by ergot-contaminated feed
A study conducted by a team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers confirms that bulls can eat feed contaminated with ergot alkaloids — toxic compounds produced by a plant fungus — for multiple weeks without affecting breeding soundness.
Guide aims to help put the welcome mat out for pets
A team of researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are part of an initiative to explore the benefits of welcoming companion animals in places where they wouldn’t normally be allowed.
SREDA study estimates VIDO’s economic impact over half a billion dollars
The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) released key findings from its Economic Impact Study conducted on the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO).
Four new USask Vanier Scholars demonstrate excellence in research and leadership
Four University of Saskatchewan (USask) doctoral students — including a Western College of Veterinary Medicine-based graduate student — have been named 2022 Vanier Scholars.
Veterinary professor at USask launches bovine health podcast
A University of Saskatchewan (USask) beef cattle specialist at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) has launched a new podcast that gives listeners a Canadian perspective on beef cattle health and nutrition.
$8.1M investment will help VIDO become CL4 facility
The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has received a significant investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to establish containment Level 4 (CL4) capacity — the highest level of containment.
He or she: what will it be?
“Boy or girl?” Expectant mothers hear that question a lot, and thanks to ultrasound technology, many human parents have the option of finding out the answer long before their baby is born.
USask researcher asks public to report cougar evidence
A University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher is building a database to uncover the whereabouts of the secretive and elusive prairie cougar.
Veterinarian earns PhD degree and $10,000 prize for equine research
Through hard work and perseverance, equine surgical specialist Dr. Michelle Tucker has earned her PhD degree as well as a $10,000 prize for her research achievements at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).
WCVM graduates part of USask Fall Convocation celebrations
A group of students pursuing higher education at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will receive their graduate degrees and certificates during the University of Saskatchewan’s Fall Convocation ceremonies on Nov. 9.
New season of 'EquineED Talks' begins in November
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) has organized a third season of its very popular “EquineED Talks” series for horse owners across Western Canada and around the world.
Horse Health Lines (Fall 2022) now online
The Fall 2022 issue of Horse Health Lines, news publication for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Townsend Equine Health Research Fund, is now online.
USask honours faculty members named distinguished professors
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) honours professors from across campus for their exceptional achievements in research, scholarly or artistic work.
USask team plans unique facility to develop, test alternative fish food
A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team is partnering with an array of industry groups to establish a “globally unique” facility on campus to develop and test plant- and insect-derived proteins to replace the fishmeal that has no great substitute in aquaculture feed today.
Practical veterinarian
Coming to Canada for an equine residency meant starting over for Dr. José Antonio Guerra. Guerra had already become a professor at Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México outside of Mexico City, Mexico, after earning a master’s degree at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Annual poster event highlights diversity of research
Summer research students at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) produced an incredible amount of high-quality science in a very short time frame, says Dr. Lynn Weber, the college’s associate dean of research.
ATIM MASKIHKIY exhibit shares ‘dog medicine’ with community
Veterinary researcher Dr. Jordan Woodsworth (DVM) has taken a novel approach to presenting her research findings — engaging with the communities she’s working with through art.
How much is enough? Public knowledge and the microbial world
As a recent University of Saskatchewan (USask) graduate who just completed my animal bioscience degree, I’ve had my eyes opened to so many things that I’d never imagined would interest me.
Puzzle-solving zebrafish help scientists answer research questions
Almost every pet store sells zebrafish, but what pet owners may not know is that 70 per cent of this small tropical fish’s genetic structure is similar to their own.
USask major scientific centres awarded $170M of MSI funding
Four flagship research centres at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) uniquely equipped to keep Canada at the forefront internationally in vaccine development, imaging science, sustainable water management and monitoring space weather have been awarded nearly $170 million.
Researchers probe protein’s role as lung’s first line of defence
Having spent more than two years in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and the public have learned a great deal more about respiratory infections and the lung complications that can result from having one.
Soil organic matter plays vital role in global carbon cycling
Whether it’s the rich, dark-coloured soil in your backyard garden or the prairie soil in large fields where farmers grow their crops, the content of soil organic matter affects nearly every aspect of food production.
Blueberry-pollinating bees at risk of developing deadly disease
Honey bees are excellent pollinators for flowering crops, and they’ve greatly benefited Canada’s blueberry growers as well as the country’s economy — Canada is a major exporter of the popular blue fruit.
New project has big impact on bison genome biobank’s development at USask
Researchers’ aim of developing the world’s first bison genome biobank at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) received a critical boost on July 14 with Genome Canada’s funding announcement of $5.1 million for the Bison Integrated Genomics (BIG) project.
Have you ever thought about how you think?
Think back to your first memory: do you remember it vividly or does it all seem a bit confusing? If you can recall details about the movie that you watched last night much more easily than your very first memory, most of us can relate.
Fruit fly research could lead to final frontier
By using fruit flies as their model organism, Dr. Adelaine Leung and her team at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are contributing vital knowledge to a fascinating research story that began more than 120 years ago.
‘Water’ we doing to our water?
We all need water — we need it to bathe, to clean, to drink and to live our lives as we have for years. Yet our freshwater supply is in peril, and our relationship with water is changing.
USask academics channel ‘content creators’ to enhance student learning
Microbiologist, librarians and — YouTubers?
New VIDO Vaccine Development Centre opens
The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has completed the construction of its Vaccine Development Centre (VDC), strengthening and expanding Canada’s domestic biomanufacturing capacity.
Let's talk about mastitis
“Why won’t they listen?” It’s a complaint we can all relate to. Whether you’re an animal owner or a veterinarian, you have probably found yourself questioning why the person on the other side of a conversation isn’t reacting the way you had expected.
Family or foe? How prey and predator animals can develop mother-infant bonds
Ever wonder why a pig is willing to nurse tiger cubs? Or why a dog will take care of a baby leopard? What about a cat that fosters ducklings?
WCVM hires pollinator health research chair
A new University of Saskatchewan (USask) research chair position at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will focus on the health of pollinators that play an integral role in global food production and agricultural sustainability.
WCVM faculty receive federal research funds
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers in diverse disciplines were recently awarded over $7 million in federal government grant funding. Faculty members at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will receive $682,500 in research funds as part of this announcement.
What a swine flu vaccine can teach us
Wary of the COVID-19 vaccine? Well, eat some pork and relax. Scientists have been whipping up vaccines in short order for decades, and the fact you can still enjoy your morning bacon is proof that these vaccine products are safe and effective.
Crashing shorebird populations ring alarm bell on global water crisis
Shorebirds are among the world’s most impressive travellers. Year after year, they make round trips of 32,000 kilometres from the top of the world to the bottom — and back again.
Time is money: rapid diagnostic testing for bovine respiratory disease
A multidisciplinary research team is working to develop rapid genomic testing methods that will change the way feedlots make decisions about antimicrobial use and ultimately improve antimicrobial stewardship.
Arts and Science graduate honoured with Governor General’s Silver Medal
Dr. Melanie Gibbons (DVM) — a 2009 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine — will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in statistics during the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Spring Convocation.
USask honours Wastewater Surveillance Team for public engagement
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Wastewater Surveillance Team, which responded swiftly to the arrival of COVID-19 by developing a monitoring program that provides reliable forecasts of infection outbreaks in communities, is being recognized with USask’s 2022 Publicly Engaged Scholarship Team Award.
WCVM graduate students excel at research expo
Members of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) community excelled at the 2022 Life and Health Sciences Research Expo — an annual event at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
USask-led study aims to understand, mitigate change in western boreal forest
University of Saskatchewan wildlife ecologist Dr. Philip McLoughlin’s (PhD) research team has been awarded $1.87 million by a federal granting agency for an interdisciplinary project to study complex environmental changes occurring in Western Canada’s Boreal Plains and help mitigate the consequences.
Canine patients hold key to new bone cancer therapies for dogs and people
You share more things in common with your dog than you think, and these similarities are the focus of research at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) that’s aimed at investigating osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer found in dogs and humans.
USask teams funded to breathe new life into lung health research
Three transdisciplinary research teams from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have been awarded almost $350,000 to discover solutions to lung health challenges.
Researchers piece together feline diabetes puzzle
Kevin the cat has faced a roller-coaster of health problems during his five years of life.
USask selects new Beef Industry Integrated Forage Management and Utilization Chair
Bree Kelln has been selected as the new Beef Industry Integrated Forage Management and Utilization (IFMU) Chair for the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Surveillance team detects SARS-CoV-2 virus in Saskatchewan white-tailed deer
Nearly two years after academic, provincial and federal researchers pooled resources to build a wildlife surveillance program, there’s proof that SARS-CoV-2 virus is circulating among free-ranging, white-tailed deer in Saskatchewan.
Science and fellowship at forefront of graduate poster day
The return to an in-person graduate research poster day at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) was a welcome change after two years of online events.
USask, international researchers find modern animal life could have origins in delta
The ancestors of many animal species alive today may have lived in a delta in what is now China, suggests new research published in Nature Communications by an international team including University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers.
USask researchers track multi-species transmission in world first
A team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have cracked a multi-species mystery, documenting the flow of a common canine pathogen from a dog to a human.
Vet Topics (Spring 2022) now online
The Spring 2022 issue of Vet Topics, news publication for the veterinary college's Companion Animal Health Fund, is now available online.
Rams’ breeding soundness key to sheep flock health
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) are working to update the ram breeding soundness evaluation guidelines so they represent specific sheep breeds raised in Western Canada.
Inquisitive anesthesiologist leaves 30-year legacy
In 1999, Dr. Tanya Duke-Novakovski travelled to Leipzig, Germany, for a one-year sabbatical leave from her role at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).
USask study finds dog therapy can reduce ER patients’ pain and anxiety
University of Saskatchewan (USask) research shows therapy dogs can help reduce pain and improve well-being for people treated in emergency rooms.
Horse Health Lines (Spring 2022) now online
The Spring 2022 issue of Horse Health Lines, news publication for the WCVM’s Townsend Equine Health Research Fund, is now online.
USask wastewater COVID detectives’ paper is roadmap for other scientists
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers set up a wastewater monitoring program that’s become the province’s sole reliable source for data on the prevalence of COVID-19. Now they have published a paper that provides a blueprint for other scientists to emulate their work.
USask research finds substance derived from tire debris is toxic to trout species
Every time it rains, fish living downstream of storm drains are exposed to pollutants, including the tire-derived compound 6PPD-quinone, in the runoff. Recently, this substance has been linked to massive die-offs of coho salmon across the West Coast of the United States.
Protecting endangered species and habitats
Dr. Eric Lamb (PhD) understands there are no easy answers when it comes to the delicate balance between ecology and the economy in a proudly agriculture-driven province.
Detmer settles into council chair at USask
Dr. Susan Detmer (DVM, PhD) came for the conference, and stayed for the career.
What’s the best approach to boosting calves’ immune response?
A Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) study co-led by Drs. Nathan Erickson and John Ellis is investigating whether different vaccine prime-boost approaches can help calves develop a better immune response against pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease.
Collaboration key to research funding success
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has awarded $810,000 over five years to a diverse team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers who are embarking on an ambitious, three-part project to advance the understanding of cystic fibrosis (CF).
Unravelling the umbilical cord
Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) researchers have added a couple of new twists to research focusing on the link between equine umbilical cords and foal health.
Signal pursuit
Dr. Claire Card has spent much of her career helping mares get pregnant, but for some horses and their owners, it’s complicated.
WCVM hosts equine research discussion
Horse health research is the focus of an upcoming virtual panel discussion that's asking for input from horse owners about current and future research studies at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).
WCVM equine study first to show wound healing after stem cell therapy
A team of researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) has published the first equine study to demonstrate changes in wound healing following stem cell therapy.
USask researchers probe Lyme disease ecology
A mysterious disease is creeping its way into Saskatchewan, and its diagnosis remains complicated and unstandardized. Lyme disease, a tick-borne bacterial infection, is spreading westwards and northwards into the province of Saskatchewan.
Understanding why expecting parents give birth unexpectedly early
Birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy is a leading cause of newborn death, disability and developmental delays in humans.
WCVM faculty members receive over $1.75 million for agriculture research
University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty members at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have received over $1.75 million from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) in support of livestock and crop research projects.
WCVM alumnus named Bovine Vet of the Year
Saskatchewan veterinarian Dr. Andrew (Andy) Acton, a 1992 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), is the 2022 recipient of Western Canada’s top award for bovine practitioners.
On the trail of the B.C. bat mortality mystery
British Columbia is losing its bats. Half of the 16 bat species in the province are either vulnerable or threatened, and ecologists and farmers alike worry about how the loss of these voracious pest control experts will affect our natural and agricultural systems.
Research collaboration yields promising biopsy tool for diagnosing lung disease
About 98 out of 100,000 human patients annually suffer from interstitial lung disease, a broad collection of several lung diseases that manifest as inflammation and scarring of lung tissue and a loss of lung function.
A day in the life: working in bison reproduction
As the sun rises, Eric and Miranda Zwiefelhofer gear up for another exciting day of work.