Penn Vet Stories

Change in Plans

Fourth year student Sridhar Veluvolu, V’18, entered Penn Vet wanting to be a general practitioner. He’s leaving the School with a different plan.  

Hooked on Birds

Linnea Tracy, V’19, believes birds are veterinary medicine’s next frontier, and she wants to help chart the way. Driven by a profound love of animals and interest in the intersections among human and animal health, agriculture and public health, Tracy has begun the journey at Penn Vet.

The Nose Knows: Sniffing Out Cancer at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center

It’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The only sound is that of a Springer Spaniel methodically sniffing twelve ports on a stainless steel wheel. Suddenly he stops and sits.

Blue, Our Amazing Aussie

No words can describe the horror my wife and I felt when our beautiful, healthy, athletic Australian Shepherd, Blue (a once-in-a-lifetime dog) collapsed just before Labor Day 2016. He nearly died three times that afternoon and evening, and it was only through the amazing skill of multiple vets and techs at our family vet and the emergency hospital that he lived to see another day.

In Memoriam: Brett Cooper V 18

Brett Matthew Cooper, beloved son, brother and friend, passed away on September 13, 2017, taken too soon at the age of 30. He had an infectious smile, was quick to make friends, free with a laugh and an "I love you." His compassion knew no bounds. And he had the biggest heart.

The Story of Omya

Nine months ago, when Omya was about 10 years old, my husband and I noticed that she was starting to slow down a little, panted even when she was resting, and didn't have her old stamina when she was playing. Initially we chalked this up to her getting older, but when she skipped a few meals we knew something really bad was happening. 

Sasha - First Dog to Receive Cancer Vaccine

Sasha was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a highly aggressive bone cancer in March of 2012. The prognosis for this disease is guarded at best and dogs that undergo amputation followed by chemotherapy, the standard of care for this disease, have a median survival of only one year. Most dogs die as a result of cancer metastases (spread) to their lungs or other bones.

Sasha finally succumbed to this disease in March 2014, adding another year to her life than expected.

The Center for Animal Health and Productivity: On a (Milk) Mission in India

Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center is recognized as a valuable ally of the dairy and agriculture industries in Pennsylvania. And this reputation, as well as Penn Vet’s reach and impact, are continuing to spread rapidly around the world.

Dylan

• Registered Name: Cher Car's Dylan PennVetWDC
• Breed: Dutch Shepherd
• DOB: Aug 08, 2015
• Gender: Male
• Neutered: No
• Kennel: Cher Car Kennels
• Foster: Jeremy Cress, Stephanie Yuhasz and Jessica Monkoski
• Pedigree: Download Pedigree
• Legacy: Named in honor of Dylan (Handler Darren Bobrosky) who deployed to the World Trade Center following the attacks of 9/11.
• Job:

In Memoriam: Dr. Lesley King, Pioneer in Veterinary Critical Care

Dr. Lesley King, Professor of Critical Care, was a founder and pillar of critical care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and beyond. She was instrumental in the development of the veterinary intensive care specialty, particularly in expanding and refining mechanical ventilation.

500 Days and Counting

Lewis, an eight-year-old Golden Retriever, qualified for the prestigious 2013 Master National hunt test in Kansas. As part of his final preparation, Lewis ran the first series of a master hunt test before the competition as a confidence builder. He nailed it.

Dr. Kendra Bence and Team Piece Together Signaling Pathway Leading to Obesity

As scientists probe the molecular underpinnings of why some people are prone to obesity and some to leanness, they are discovering that weight maintenance is more complicated than the old “calories in, calories out” adage.

'Hush-Puppy' device rewards dogs for quiet time

For many dog owners, incessant barking is the bane of their existence. Some resort to using “shock collars” that deliver a jolt when their animal barks. The brainchild of Penn Vet student Lindsay Gallagher, however, may one day help pet lovers quiet their pets using positive reinforcement in the form of food rewards.

Helping Pets, Helping People

Philadelphia is one of the core locations for the Pets for Life program, an initiative of the Humane Society of the United States that provides free spay/neuter and wellness care for pets in under-served communities. Penn Vet has partnered with the program since 2013, an arrangement that enhances the education of veterinary students while providing animals with the care they need, but that their owners may not be able to afford.

Denali - Treating Canine Cancer Without Amputation

Denali, a 10-year-old Spinone, was the first dog to enroll in Dr. Nicola Mason’s clinical trial for dogs with osteosarcoma who had not undergone amputation. Read Denali's story...

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza,a respiratory disease that affects many birds, including poultry, has been detected in the United States.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) recently has been detected in commercial poultry, backyard poultry flocks, and wild birds in several states.

No human infections have yet been reported in relation to this latest outbreak. Generally, human infections with avian influenza viruses are rare, and most often occur after people are in direct or close contact with an infected bird. Biosecurity is key in protecting flocks.

• Read more about avian influenza...
  
  

One Health - Penn Vet’s Collection of 50,000 Salmonella Strains

The 50,000 glass vials locked away in a building on Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center campus hold the keys to new research into Salmonella, the number-one cause of foodborne illness in the United States.  Read this story...

Fit to Work: A Police Dog's Story of Recovery

Ever since Rocky and Jenkintown Police Sergeant Richard Tucker were paired as working K9 and handler, Sergeant Tucker knew he could rely on his dog completely. But when Rocky became critically ill, Sergeant Tucker realized just how deep his bond was with his dog.

Microbes in Alcoholic Liver Disease, Sepsis, and Periodontal Disease

Through Penn Vet’s Center for Host-Microbial Interactions, researchers are exploring the microbiome of animals in order to benefit both animal and human health. Three new studies will explore how microbes impact alcoholic liver disease, infections caused by Salmonella, and periodontal disease. These projects are funded by a generous gift from Robert and Hope Sheft.