UC Davis Veterinary Medicine

'It was a horrible scene to witness': How bird flu has decimated elephant seal populations The sudden decimation by bird flu of the world's largest seal species has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, and the ecosystems shaped by these majestic animals.

The sudden decimation of the world's largest seal species by bird flu has sent shockwaves through ecosystems. "No other species can replace elephant seals in the ocean," says Dr. Marcela Uhart, director of the Latin America Program at #UCDavisVetMed's Wildlife Health Center.

Adult New World screwworm looks like a fly with big orange eyes and a metallic blue-green body.

A bunch of white New World screwworm larvae

Close-up of one screwworm larva against a red background

Livestock producers invited to New World #Screwworm Information Webinar 6pm Wednesday, Nov 19
Speakers @ucanr.edu, @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social, @ucriverside.bsky.social

Register by 1pm Nov 18 bit.ly/screwworm2025

Celebrating our Alumni – 2025 Alumni Weekend This past weekend, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine hosted its annual Alumni Weekend, which welcomed nearly 250 alumni and friends back to campus. Over the course of three days, classes cele...

Nearly 250 alumni and friends joined us for our annual Alumni Reunion Weekend! From the Halloween “dogstume” contest to lectures, tours, and awards—it was a weekend full of joy, pride, and connection.

Michael D. Lairmore wears a blue button up shirt and smiles at the camera.

Michael D. Lairmore, who served as dean of the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine from 2011 to 2021, is one of only a handful of veterinarians elected to the National Academy of Medicine. He has helped redefine the scope and impact of veterinary medicine. Read more: https://ucdav.is/3WUSZTS

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is almost 100% deadly in cats. But thanks to federally funded research, cats like Lychee can get a second chance at life. Even better yet, the treatment for FIP could one day help humans suffering from long COVID. #FromLabsToLives #SpeakUp4Science

YouTube video by UC Davis From Labs to Lives: Real Research. Real People. Real Impact.

Video: From Labs to Lives: Real Research. Real People. Real Impact. youtu.be/Bvl5okSBc9M?...

UC Davis receives federal grant to support research for medical and veterinary residents UC Davis has received the nation’s first federal R38 grant to boost training for residents in both internal medicine and veterinary medicine.

UC Davis receives federal grant to support research for medical and veterinary residents @ucdavishealth.bsky.social @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlin...

Feline infectious peritonitis, caused by a coronavirus, is nearly 100% fatal for cats. Through a federally funded trial, #UCDavisVetMed identified a treatment that could one day also help humans suffering from long COVID. www.ucdavis.edu/research/labs-to-lives

#FromLabsToLives #SpeakUp4Science

Just One Spore, Part 2 Dogs can also get valley fever. Hear not only about one dog's fight for survival, but how dogs may hold the key to predicting valley fever's spread.

Cooper, a four-year-old boxer mix, nearly died of Valley Fever. Unfold podcast meets the UC Davis scientists finding that dogs might be the key to understanding this spreading fungal infection @unfoldpodcast.bsky.social @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/news/podcast...

UC Malaria Initiative Expands Acivities to Equatorial Guinea The University of California Malaria Initiative, which includes researchers at UC Davis, will partner in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea’s Vision 2030 strategy to eliminate malaria from the Central ...

Equatorial Guinea recently announced Vision 2030, a plan to eliminate malaria from the central African country. The plan includes UC Malaria Initiative researchers who aim to use gene drives to eliminate malaria-carrying mosquitoes @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/blog/uc-mala...

First Scholarship Awarded in New Veterinary Scholarship Program The following news was released September 30, 2025 by the Westie Foundation of AmericaSupport for promising veterinarians in training has never been more important than today. The Westie Foundation of...

#UCDavisVetMed student Briana Guerra has been awarded the inaugural Westie Foundation of America/Austin Veterinary Scholarship. Briana is passionate about expanding veterinary care for bilingual and underserved communities, and this support helps make that future possible.

A brown and white dog wearing a plaid bandana lies on green grass, looking up with a playful expression. Text warns about Valley Fever affecting people and dogs.

Valley fever is caused by a fungus that thrives in the soil of California’s Central Valley. Disturbing the soil can release its spores where they can be inhaled in the air. The more exposure, the the higher the risk. Ag and construction workers are especially susceptible. ucdav.is/4gFmtyn

$110.5M in Gifts Fuel UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Expansion The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine today announced plans to launch a new phase of its veterinary medical complex — made possible by philanthropic gifts totaling $110.5 ...

$110.5M in Gifts Fuel UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Expansion @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/...

UC Davis researchers are at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries that improve care for both humans and animals.

Read more about the exciting news of the @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social here: www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/...

Go Ags!

Last week, we launched the next phase of our Veterinary Medical Complex expansion at #UCDavisVetMed.

Together, we can expand care, discovery, and education for the future of veterinary medicine. Join us in creating a future without limits.

🔗 limitless.vetmed.ucdavis.edu

Image descriptions:
1. A person and a horse stand in a grass field as the sun rises in the distance, with text reading: “UC Davis is transforming the future of veterinary health.”
2. A horse grazing in the grass as the sun rises over the tree line, with text reading: “Together, We Are Limitless.”

A person and a horse stand in a grass field as the sun rises in the distance, with text that reads: “UC Davis is transforming the future of veterinary health.”

A horse grazing in the grass as the sun rises over the tree line, with text that reads: “Together, We Are Limitless.”

Today, we unveil LIMITLESS — the campaign for the Veterinary Medical Complex at UC Davis. Backed by $110.5M in philanthropic gifts so far, this expansion will train more veterinarians, care for 70,000 patients annually, and advance discoveries in veterinary medicine. www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/limitless

Something exciting is happening at #UCDavisVetMed… join us for the big reveal TOMORROW!

New World Screwworm Myiasis New World screwworm flies feed on animal tissues, causing extensive destruction.

New World Screwworm myiasis is a serious condition caused by the larvae of the #NewWorldScrewworm fly, which can be fatal if untreated. Eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, recent cases near the border highlight the need for vigilance. healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topic...

🐓 Meet Luanne, the show-stopping chicken sidelined by a statewide #birdflu ban. Hear how her SoCal family — and other #CA4H youth — are adapting when the fairgrounds go quiet. 🎧 Listen to the @ucdavis.bsky.social @unfoldpodcast.bsky.social now: bit.ly/4oDm9DH
#Podcast @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social

New Cancer Drug Could Help Cats and People A new cancer treatment for cats could help humans too. New UC Davis cat clinical trial using UCSF developed drug shows the disease was controlled in 35% of cats, with minimal side effects.

A clinical trial of a new drug pet cats shows promise for treating cancer in both animals and people @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/...

See Butterfield Horse Sculptures at School of Veterinary Medicine John Pascoe, executive associate dean emeritus of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said he has always wanted to bring more art to the school, having seen the positive effect of public art a...

A new sculpture has joined #UCDavisVetMed. “John,” a nearly 7-foot steel horse by @ucdavis.bsky.social alumna Deborah Butterfield ’71, MFA ’73, is on loan from the UC Davis Fine Arts Collection and reflects our school’s deep commitment to the human-animal bond. www.ucdavis.edu/magazine/see...

It’s #WorldLizardDay! 🦎 We’re excited to see our very own Dr. Krista Keller, board-certified specialist in #ZooMedicine, featured by the AVMA! Dr. Keller and the #UCDavisVetMed Companion Exotic Animal Medicine & Surgery Service team provide expert care for reptiles of all shapes, sizes, and scales.

“DROP IT!” If you’ve ever said this to an animal, you know they will eat just about anything, including plants that can be deadly.

Learn more and see the list of dangerous plants in the latest issue of #SynergyMagazine: magazine.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news-article...

Thanks to Donors, a New Fundraising Record The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine announced that it had raised $118 million in the fiscal year 2024-25, a new record for the school. A total of 5,380 individuals, corporations, and foundation...

Thanks to 5,380 incredible donors, #UCDavisVetMed raised a record-breaking $118M last year! These gifts are fueling innovation, expanding care in Southern California, and shaping a healthier future for animals, people, and the planet. www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/thanks-...

Guest column | Ask a Vet: How do I know when it’s time to say goodbye to my pet? Deciding when to euthanize a pet can be difficult, but with the right guidance, owners can make informed decisions about their pet’s end-of-life care.

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult decisions an owner can face. #UCDavisVetMed's Dr. Jane Sykes offers guidance on how to recognize when it may be time—and how to approach that decision with compassion, clarity, and support. www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/07...

Bird flu is low, but that’s likely to change as birds begin to migrate & congregate in fields & lakes

“We have 60,000 waterfowl in California right now,” said Maurice Pitesky, poultry expert @ucdavisvetmed.bsky.social & @ucanr.edu. “By late fall, early winter, that number will jump to 6 million.”

Dean Mark Stetter stands with a magnifying glass in front of his face, "Poop Week" text branding is also visible

Feeling crappy now that #SharkWeek 🦈 is over? Fortunately, #PoopWeek 💩 is still floating around! If you missed it the first time, sink your teeth into all 7 bite-sized episodes and discover what poop can tell us about health, conservation, and climate: www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/poop-week

From Rats to Hippos with Dr. Lynette Hart Dr. Lynette Hart has studied everything from rodent songs to elephant tool use to giraffe courtship. Now, after more than four decades at UC Davis, the pioneering professor has officially retired—thou...

After more than 40 years at #UCDavis, Dr. Lynette Hart has retired, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. From studying rodent songs to hippo yawns, she helped shape the now-established field of anthrozoology and mentored generations of students along the way. www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/rats-hi...

Guest column | Ask a Vet: Why are my cat’s pupils dilated all the time? Dilated pupils in cats can be a sign of iris atrophy or a more serious underlying condition. Here’s how to know when to seek veterinary care.

Are your cat’s pupils staying wide, even in bright light? It might just be age-related iris atrophy—a harmless condition that affects many older pets. But if your cat seems off, bumps into things, or stops eating, it could signal something more serious.
www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/07...