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Veterinary Medicine Research Paper Topics

Veterinary medicine research paper topics encompass a wide range of subjects that contribute to the advancement of animal healthcare. This page provides a comprehensive guide for students studying veterinary medicine who are tasked with writing research papers. Explore the intricacies of this field, delve into diverse categories, and discover a multitude of compelling topics to delve into. Whether you’re interested in animal behavior, infectious diseases, pharmacology, or veterinary surgery, this guide will help you navigate the realm of veterinary medicine research paper topics. By offering expert advice on topic selection and providing valuable insights on how to write an impactful research paper, we aim to empower students to make significant contributions to the field of veterinary medicine. Furthermore, iResearchNet’s writing services ensure that students receive top-quality, customized research papers tailored to their unique requirements. Let us help you unleash your academic potential and make a lasting impact in the world of veterinary medicine.

100 Veterinary Medicine Research Paper Topics

Introduction: The field of veterinary medicine encompasses a vast array of disciplines and areas of study, offering a wealth of research opportunities for students. This comprehensive list of veterinary medicine research paper topics is divided into 10 categories, each containing 10 unique topics. By exploring these topics, students can gain a deeper understanding of various aspects of veterinary medicine and contribute to the advancement of animal healthcare.

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Animal Behavior and Psychology:

• The impact of environmental enrichment on animal behavior and welfare
• Behavioral interventions for managing aggression in dogs
• Understanding the role of animal cognition in training and behavior modification
• The relationship between human-animal interaction and animal behavior
• Investigating stress and coping mechanisms in companion animals
• The effects of socialization on the behavior and development of puppies and kittens
• Exploring the psychological well-being of captive animals in zoos
• Behavioral indicators and management strategies for pain in animals
• Understanding the behavior and welfare of farm animals in intensive production systems
• Investigating the impact of fear and anxiety on animal welfare in veterinary settings

Infectious Diseases:

• Emerging zoonotic diseases and their impact on public health
• Antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine: challenges and strategies
• The role of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases in companion animals
• Epidemiology and control measures for common bacterial infections in livestock
• Investigating the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases in animals
• Diagnostic methods and advancements in the detection of viral infections in animals
• One Health approach: addressing the link between animal and human infectious diseases
• The impact of climate change on the prevalence and distribution of infectious diseases in wildlife
• Surveillance and control measures for emerging viral diseases in aquaculture
• Exploring the impact of biosecurity measures in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in veterinary clinics and hospitals

Pharmacology and Therapeutics:

• Investigating the efficacy and safety of new veterinary drugs and therapies
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used drugs in veterinary practice
• Adverse drug reactions and drug interactions in veterinary medicine
• Exploring alternative therapies in veterinary medicine: acupuncture, herbal medicine, and more
• The role of personalized medicine in veterinary practice
• Drug-resistant parasites and strategies for their control in companion animals
• Investigating the use of pain management protocols in veterinary surgery
• The impact of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements on animal health
• Pharmacogenomics in veterinary medicine: implications for personalized treatment
• Exploring the challenges and opportunities in veterinary drug development

Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesia:

• Advancements in minimally invasive surgery in veterinary medicine
• Anesthetic management and monitoring in exotic animal species
• Investigating surgical techniques for the treatment of orthopedic conditions in companion animals
• Complications and management of anesthesia in geriatric patients
• Exploring the role of regenerative medicine in veterinary surgery
• Surgical interventions for the management of oncological conditions in animals
• Investigating novel approaches for pain management in postoperative veterinary patients
• Surgical techniques and rehabilitation strategies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries in animals
• Exploring the use of robotic surgery in veterinary medicine
• Investigating the impact of surgical interventions on the quality of life in animals

Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology:

• Advancements in imaging techniques for the early detection of cancer in animals
• Investigating the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in veterinary neurology
• The role of ultrasound in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases in animals
• Radiographic evaluation and interpretation of musculoskeletal disorders in small animals
• Investigating the use of computed tomography (CT) in veterinary oncology
• Diagnostic imaging in avian and exotic animal medicine
• The impact of advanced imaging modalities on the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in animals
• Exploring the role of nuclear medicine in veterinary diagnostics
• Radiographic evaluation and interpretation of respiratory disorders in large animals
• Investigating the use of contrast-enhanced imaging techniques in veterinary medicine

Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology:

• One Health approach in the surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases
• Investigating foodborne pathogens and their impact on animal and human health
• The role of veterinarians in disaster preparedness and response
• Veterinary epidemiology: studying disease patterns and risk factors in animal populations
• Investigating the impact of environmental factors on animal health and well-being
• Exploring the relationship between animal agriculture and antimicrobial resistance
• Veterinary public health interventions for the prevention of zoonotic diseases
• The role of wildlife in the transmission of infectious diseases to domestic animals
• Investigating the impact of climate change on vector-borne diseases in veterinary medicine
• Surveillance and control measures for emerging and re-emerging diseases in veterinary public health

Animal Nutrition and Feed Science:

• Investigating the impact of diet and nutrition on companion animal health
• The role of nutritional interventions in the management of obesity in animals
• Exploring the nutritional requirements and feed formulations for exotic animal species
• Nutritional strategies for the prevention and management of metabolic diseases in livestock
• Investigating the impact of feed additives on animal performance and health
• The role of probiotics and prebiotics in promoting gut health in animals
• Nutritional management of common gastrointestinal disorders in companion animals
• Exploring sustainable and environmentally friendly feed options for livestock
• Investigating the impact of nutrition on reproductive performance in animals
• Nutritional considerations for the optimal growth and development of neonatal animals

Veterinary Education and Professional Development:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of veterinary education programs in preparing students for practice
• Investigating the role of simulation-based training in veterinary education
• Exploring innovative teaching methods in veterinary schools
• Assessing the impact of continuing education on veterinary professionals’ knowledge and skills
• Investigating the factors influencing career choices among veterinary students
• The impact of telemedicine on veterinary practice and client communication
• Exploring the challenges and opportunities in veterinary entrepreneurship
• Veterinary leadership and management skills for effective practice management
• Investigating the role of mentorship in veterinary education and professional development
• Exploring the ethical considerations in veterinary practice and research

Equine Medicine and Surgery:

• Investigating advancements in diagnostic imaging techniques for equine lameness
• Management strategies for musculoskeletal disorders in performance horses
• The impact of nutrition and exercise on the prevention and management of metabolic diseases in horses
• Exploring the use of regenerative therapies in equine orthopedics
• Investigating the impact of respiratory diseases on the performance and welfare of horses
• Equine dentistry: advancements in dental care and oral health management
• Exploring novel surgical interventions for the treatment of orthopedic conditions in horses
• The role of physical therapy and rehabilitation in equine medicine
• Investigating the impact of exercise physiology on performance enhancement in horses
• Infectious diseases and vaccination strategies in equine healthcare

Wildlife Medicine and Conservation:

• Investigating the impact of habitat loss on wildlife health and conservation
• Wildlife forensic medicine: techniques for investigating wildlife crimes
• The role of veterinarians in wildlife rehabilitation and release programs
• Exploring the impact of emerging infectious diseases on wildlife populations
• Investigating the use of contraception in wildlife population management
• Wildlife anesthesia and immobilization techniques for veterinary interventions
• Exploring the role of veterinary medicine in endangered species conservation
• Investigating the impact of pollution and environmental contaminants on wildlife health
• Wildlife diseases and their potential for spillover to domestic animal populations
• Conservation genetics: utilizing molecular techniques in wildlife management

This comprehensive list of veterinary medicine research paper topics provides students with a wide range of subjects to explore within the field. Whether you are interested in animal behavior, infectious diseases, pharmacology, surgery, or any other aspect of veterinary medicine, there are countless opportunities for research and innovation. By selecting a topic that aligns with your interests and career goals, and following the expert advice on how to choose and write a research paper, you can contribute to the advancement of veterinary medicine and make a lasting impact on animal health and welfare.

Veterinary Medicine: Exploring the Range of Research Paper Topics

Veterinary medicine plays a vital role in the health and well-being of animals, from beloved pets to livestock and wildlife. As a student studying veterinary medicine, you have the opportunity to delve into various research areas and contribute to advancements in animal healthcare. This article will explore the diverse range of research paper topics available within the field of veterinary medicine, offering you insights into the exciting and impactful areas of study.

• Animal Nutrition and Feed Science : Proper nutrition is fundamental to the health and well-being of animals. Research topics in this area could include investigating the impact of diet and nutrition on companion animal health, exploring nutritional interventions for managing metabolic diseases in livestock, and examining sustainable and environmentally friendly feed options for animals.
• Infectious Diseases : Infectious diseases pose significant challenges to animal health and public health. Research paper topics in this category could encompass emerging zoonotic diseases and their impact on human health, antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine, vaccination strategies for preventing infectious diseases in animals, and exploring the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases.
• Animal Behavior and Psychology : Understanding animal behavior and psychology is essential for providing optimal care. Research topics in this field may involve studying the impact of environmental enrichment on animal behavior and welfare, behavioral interventions for managing aggression in dogs, investigating the cognitive abilities of animals, and exploring the role of human-animal interaction in animal behavior.
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics : Pharmacology plays a critical role in treating and preventing diseases in animals. Research paper topics in this area could include investigating the efficacy and safety of new veterinary drugs and therapies, exploring alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, and studying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used drugs in veterinary practice.
• Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesia : Surgical interventions are often necessary for diagnosing and treating various conditions in animals. Research topics in this category could focus on advancements in minimally invasive surgery, investigating anesthesia management and monitoring in different animal species, exploring regenerative medicine in veterinary surgery, and studying the impact of surgical interventions on the quality of life in animals.
• Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology : Diagnostic imaging techniques play a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring diseases in animals. Research paper topics in this field may include advancements in imaging techniques for detecting cancer in animals, exploring the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in veterinary diagnostics, and investigating the application of radiography and ultrasound in diagnosing specific conditions.
• Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology : Veterinary medicine intersects with public health in various ways. Research topics in this area could involve the One Health approach in the surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases, studying the impact of environmental factors on animal and human health, and investigating the link between animal agriculture and antimicrobial resistance.
• Equine Medicine and Surgery : Horses require specialized veterinary care due to their unique physiology and performance demands. Research paper topics in this category may include investigating advancements in diagnostic imaging techniques for equine lameness, studying the management strategies for musculoskeletal disorders in performance horses, and exploring the impact of respiratory diseases on horse performance and welfare.
• Wildlife Medicine and Conservation : The health and conservation of wildlife are essential for maintaining biodiversity. Research topics in this field could include studying the impact of habitat loss on wildlife health, investigating wildlife rehabilitation and release programs, exploring the role of veterinarians in wildlife conservation, and understanding the diseases that affect wildlife populations.
• Veterinary Education and Professional Development : Ensuring the competency and continuous development of veterinary professionals is crucial. Research paper topics in this area may involve evaluating veterinary education programs, exploring innovative teaching methods, studying the impact of continuing education on veterinary professionals’ knowledge and skills, and investigating the factors influencing career choices among veterinary students.

The field of veterinary medicine offers a wide range of research opportunities, spanning various disciplines and species. Whether you are interested in animal nutrition, infectious diseases, surgery, diagnostic imaging, public health, or any other aspect of veterinary medicine, there are numerous fascinating topics to explore. By selecting a research paper topic that aligns with your interests and goals, you can contribute to the advancement of veterinary medicine, improve animal health and welfare, and make a meaningful impact in the field.

Choosing Veterinary Medicine Research Paper Topics

Selecting the right research paper topic is crucial for your success as a student of veterinary medicine. It allows you to delve into an area of interest, contribute to existing knowledge, and explore the latest advancements in the field. In this section, we will provide you with expert advice on how to choose veterinary medicine research paper topics that align with your interests and academic goals.

• Identify Your Interests : Start by reflecting on your personal interests within the field of veterinary medicine. Consider the areas that fascinate you the most, such as animal behavior, infectious diseases, surgery, diagnostic imaging, wildlife medicine, or public health. Identifying your passions will make the research process more enjoyable and rewarding.
• Consult Your Professors and Mentors : Seek guidance from your professors and mentors who have expertise in different veterinary medicine disciplines. They can provide valuable insights into current research trends, emerging topics, and areas that need further exploration. Discuss your interests with them, and they can help you narrow down potential research paper topics based on their knowledge and experience.
• Stay Updated with Current Literature : Stay abreast of the latest research publications, scientific journals, and conference proceedings in the field of veterinary medicine. Regularly reading scientific literature will expose you to new research findings, innovative techniques, and emerging topics. This will help you identify gaps in the existing knowledge that you can address through your research paper.
• Consider Relevance and Impact : When selecting a research topic, consider its relevance and potential impact on veterinary medicine. Look for topics that address current challenges, emerging issues, or areas where advancements are needed. Research that can contribute to animal health, welfare, conservation, or public health will not only be academically fulfilling but also have real-world implications.
• Analyze Feasibility : Assess the feasibility of your chosen research topic in terms of available resources, time constraints, and access to data. Consider the availability of research materials, laboratory facilities, animal populations, or specialized equipment required for your study. Ensure that your chosen topic is practical and achievable within the given timeframe and available resources.
• Collaborate with Peers : Consider collaborating with your peers or fellow researchers who share similar research interests. Collaborative research projects can broaden your perspective, enhance the quality of your research, and facilitate knowledge sharing. Engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations can also help you explore topics that combine veterinary medicine with other fields, such as biology, ecology, or public health.
• Seek Inspiration from Case Studies and Clinical Experience : Drawing inspiration from case studies, clinical experiences, or real-world scenarios can lead to intriguing research topics. Reflect on challenging cases you have encountered during clinical rotations, unique observations, or clinical questions that have piqued your interest. These experiences can spark ideas for research that address practical veterinary medicine issues.
• Consider Ethical Considerations : When choosing a research topic, consider ethical considerations related to animal welfare and human subjects. Ensure that your research adheres to ethical guidelines and regulations. If your research involves animal subjects, be mindful of the ethical treatment and use of animals, and obtain necessary approvals from relevant ethics committees.
• Explore Emerging Technologies and Techniques : Advancements in technology and techniques have a significant impact on veterinary medicine. Consider topics that explore the application of emerging technologies such as genomics, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, or novel diagnostic tools in veterinary practice. Research in these areas can contribute to the evolution of veterinary medicine and improve animal healthcare outcomes.
• Seek Practical Relevance and Application : Choose research topics that have practical relevance and application in the veterinary field. Look for topics that address challenges faced by veterinarians, animal owners, or the industry. Research that can provide evidence-based solutions, improve clinical practices, or enhance disease prevention and management will have a direct impact on veterinary medicine.

Selecting a suitable research paper topic is a crucial step in your journey as a veterinary medicine student. By identifying your interests, seeking guidance, staying updated with current literature, considering relevance and impact, and analyzing feasibility, you can choose a research topic that is both intellectually stimulating and practically valuable. Remember to consider ethical considerations, collaborate with peers, and explore emerging technologies. By following these expert tips, you will be well-equipped to embark on a research project that contributes to the advancement of veterinary medicine and makes a positive impact on animal health and welfare.

How to Write a Veterinary Medicine Research Paper

Writing a research paper in veterinary medicine allows you to contribute to the field, explore new knowledge, and develop critical thinking and scientific communication skills. In this section, we will guide you through the process of writing a veterinary medicine research paper, from selecting a topic to crafting a compelling paper that effectively communicates your findings.

• Define Your Research Objectives : Clearly define the objectives of your research paper. Determine what you aim to accomplish and the specific research questions you want to answer. This will provide a clear focus and direction for your study.
• Conduct a Thorough Literature Review : Begin by conducting a comprehensive literature review to gather existing knowledge and identify gaps in the research. Analyze and critically evaluate relevant studies, articles, and scientific literature to establish the context for your research.
• Refine Your Research Question : Based on your literature review, refine your research question or hypothesis. Ensure that your question is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will guide your research and help you stay focused.
• Design Your Study : Select an appropriate research design and methodology that aligns with your research question and objectives. Determine the sample size, data collection methods, and statistical analyses required. Ensure that your study design is rigorous and ethically sound.
• Gather and Analyze Data : Collect relevant data using appropriate research methods, whether it involves conducting experiments, surveys, interviews, or analyzing existing datasets. Ensure that your data collection is thorough, reliable, and accurately recorded. Use appropriate statistical tools to analyze your data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Organize Your Paper : Structure your research paper in a logical and organized manner. Include sections such as the introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. Follow a clear and coherent flow of information that guides the reader through your research process.
• Write an Engaging Introduction : Start your paper with an engaging introduction that provides background information on the topic, states the research problem, and highlights the significance of your study. Clearly articulate your research objectives and hypotheses to set the stage for the rest of the paper.
• Present a Comprehensive Literature Review : Incorporate a thorough literature review in the body of your paper. Summarize and critically analyze relevant studies, theories, and findings that inform your research. Identify gaps in the literature and highlight the unique contribution of your study.
• Describe Your Methods and Results : Clearly explain the methods you employed to conduct your research and gather data. Provide sufficient detail for others to replicate your study. Present your results objectively, using appropriate tables, graphs, or figures to support your findings. Interpret the results and discuss their implications.
• Engage in a Thoughtful Discussion : In the discussion section, interpret your findings in the context of existing knowledge and theories. Discuss the implications of your results, their limitations, and any future directions for research. Address any unanswered questions and propose areas for further investigation.
• Write a Strong Conclusion : Summarize your main findings and their significance in a concise and impactful conclusion. Restate your research objectives and hypotheses, and emphasize how your study contributes to the field of veterinary medicine. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
• Cite Sources Accurately : Ensure that you cite all the sources used in your research paper accurately. Follow the appropriate citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, and adhere to the specific guidelines for referencing scientific literature and other relevant sources.
• Revise and Proofread : After completing the initial draft, revise your paper for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Check for grammatical and spelling errors, and ensure that your writing is concise and precise. Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professors to improve the quality of your paper.

Writing a veterinary medicine research paper requires careful planning, attention to detail, and effective communication skills. By defining your research objectives, conducting a thorough literature review, designing a rigorous study, and organizing your paper coherently, you can produce a high-quality research paper. Remember to write an engaging introduction, present a comprehensive literature review, describe your methods and results accurately, engage in thoughtful discussion, and provide a strong conclusion. Cite your sources properly and revise your paper meticulously. Through this process, you will contribute to the field of veterinary medicine and advance knowledge in the domain.

iResearchNet’s Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we understand the challenges that students face when it comes to writing research papers in veterinary medicine. We are here to provide you with professional writing services that cater to your specific needs. Our team of expert writers and researchers are well-versed in the field of veterinary medicine and can assist you in producing high-quality research papers. In this section, we will outline the range of services we offer and the benefits of choosing iResearchNet for your veterinary medicine research paper needs.

• Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our team consists of expert writers with advanced degrees in veterinary medicine and related fields. They have a deep understanding of the subject matter and can deliver well-researched and meticulously written research papers.
• Custom Written Works : We provide custom written works that are tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you need a research paper from scratch or assistance with specific sections, our writers can create unique and original content that meets your academic standards.
• In-Depth Research : Our writers conduct extensive research to gather the most relevant and up-to-date information for your research paper. They have access to reputable sources and scientific databases to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information presented in your paper.
• Custom Formatting : We understand the importance of adhering to specific formatting styles required by academic institutions. Our writers are well-versed in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. They will format your paper according to the specific guidelines provided.
• Top Quality : Quality is our utmost priority. We strive to deliver research papers that meet the highest standards of academic excellence. Our writers pay attention to every detail, ensuring that your paper is well-structured, coherent, and free from grammatical errors.
• Customized Solutions : We recognize that each research paper is unique. Our writers work closely with you to understand your specific research objectives, requirements, and preferences. They can customize their approach to meet your specific needs and deliver a paper that aligns with your expectations.
• Flexible Pricing : We offer flexible pricing options to accommodate the budgetary constraints of students. Our pricing is competitive and transparent, ensuring that you receive the best value for your investment. We offer affordable rates without compromising on the quality of our services.
• Short Deadlines : We understand that students often face tight deadlines. Our team is equipped to handle urgent requests and can deliver high-quality research papers within short timeframes, even as tight as 3 hours. You can rely on us to meet your deadlines without compromising on quality.
• Timely Delivery : We prioritize timely delivery to ensure that you have sufficient time to review and submit your research paper. Our writers work diligently to complete your paper within the agreed-upon timeframe, allowing you ample time for any revisions or modifications you may require.
• 24/7 Support : We provide round-the-clock support to address any queries or concerns you may have. Our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions regarding our services, order placement, or ongoing projects. Feel free to reach out to us at any time.
• Absolute Privacy : We understand the importance of confidentiality. Your personal information and the details of your research paper are treated with the utmost privacy and confidentiality. We adhere to strict data protection protocols to ensure the security of your information.
• Easy Order Tracking : Our user-friendly platform allows you to easily track the progress of your research paper. You can communicate with your assigned writer, provide additional instructions or clarifications, and monitor the status of your order throughout the writing process.
• Money Back Guarantee : We are committed to customer satisfaction. In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the quality of the research paper or the services provided, we offer a money-back guarantee. Your investment is protected, and we strive to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Choosing iResearchNet for your veterinary medicine research paper needs ensures that you receive professional, reliable, and customized writing services. Our team of expert writers, in-depth research capabilities, adherence to formatting guidelines, and commitment to quality will ensure that your research paper meets the highest academic standards. With flexible pricing options, timely delivery, 24/7 support, absolute privacy, and easy order tracking, we strive to make your experience with iResearchNet seamless and rewarding. Place your trust in us and let our expertise guide you towards academic success.

Achieve Excellence with iResearchNet!

Are you struggling with your veterinary medicine research papers? Do you find it challenging to choose the right topics, conduct in-depth research, and meet the high academic standards of your institution? Look no further! iResearchNet is here to provide you with the professional support you need to excel in your veterinary medicine studies. Our team of expert writers and researchers is ready to assist you in crafting top-quality research papers that will impress your professors and elevate your academic performance.

By choosing iResearchNet, you gain access to a range of benefits that will make your research paper writing experience smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Our team consists of highly qualified writers with expertise in veterinary medicine and related fields. They are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle even the most complex research topics. Whether you need assistance in selecting research paper topics, conducting thorough research, or structuring your paper, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.

iResearchNet is your trusted partner in veterinary medicine research paper writing. With our experienced team, commitment to quality, customer-oriented approach, and range of services, we are dedicated to helping you succeed in your academic journey. Place your trust in us and experience the difference that professional assistance can make. Take the first step towards veterinary medicine research paper excellence and unlock your full potential with iResearchNet.

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Both undergraduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students work hard on their research projects each summer. Here are some fruits of their efforts: materials created to educate a general public on complex biomedical science work.

2021 Student Summer Research Projects

Read about and view 2021 summer research projects in "Of Mice-icles, Moo-Moo Munchies, Canine Athletes, and More."

2020 Student Summer Research Projects

Find examples of 2020 student work here , including everything from infographics to poetry.

2019 Student Summer Research Projects

Find examples of student work here , including videos, Venn diagrams, and more.

2018 Student Summer Research Projects

Alexander Zanetti; Better Breathing Through Bugs: How the Keys to Asthma Prevention May Lie in the Gut; Blog post

Allison Gerras; Investigating the Role of Biological Sex and Early Life Stress in Gastrointestinal Health; Infographic

Brady Stutzman; Research Project; Personal blog post

Brandon Frantz; Developmental Lung Disease: Understanding Early Death in Puppies; Infographic

Cailin Harro; Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Investigating Liver Cancer in Dogs; Infographic

Cassidy Harris; My Summer Research Project: The More You Know; Website

Chioma Ngene; Understanding the Metabolism of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis; Infographic

Chris Brennan; V(D)J Recombination: Why We're Able to Get Sick; Blog post

Hailee Butler; African Painted Dogs; Infographic

Jade Neverson; So...What Started This? Acetaminophen Overdose; Infographic

Jaquia White; PLASMIN: Reversing the Damage of Drug-Induced Liver Injury; Infographic

Jessica Kessler; Early Life Stress and the GI Tract; Infographic

Joanna Acosta Bencosme; Neutropils: Cows vs Humans; Infographic

Joe Faryean; Welcome to the Science Zone; Video

Jordan Pieczynski; Canine Estrous Cycle; Infographic

Kennedy Aldrich; Glycogen Depletion in Working Horses; Infographic

Liam Thomas; Searching for Blindness; Diagram

Lindsey Lund; Microsatellite Instability; Infographic

Makenzie McDowell; Microbiome, Probiotics, Shelter Kittens, and Research; Blog post

Marie Negron Camacho; Is All the Fat Bad?; Infographic

Michael Mark; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Infographic

Peter Fowler; Michigan Tick Survey; Infographic

Samantha Gruenwald; Hot vs Cold: The Importance of Housing Temperatures for Mice in Research; Infographic

Sarah Marhofer; Creating a Universal Influenza Vaccine; Infographic

Sumana Prabhakar; AliveCor ECG Vet Application; Infographic

Terry Everett; Compare or Contrast: The Cytotoxic Effects of Iodinated Contrast Media on Renal Proximal Tubule Cells; Infographic

Zoe Williams; Myofibrillar Myopathy; Diagram

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45 Veterinary Dissertation Topic Ideas to Motivate you

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 16, 2023

Veterinary medicine is a broad area of study, so there are many potential issues you can base your dissertation or thesis on. You may want to consider veterinary science comparable to human health care, such as laboratory animal medicine, animal welfare, and law, so that you can come up with an impactful veterinary dissertation topic.

Choose an interesting but focused research topic that enables you to contribute to your field of study. Choosing a topic for a paper or dissertation is one of the most crucial decisions students must make. So avoid writing about an idea that is so narrow that you end up having no academic sources to use in the res earch. 

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Veterinary Dissertation Topics and Ideas

• Animals are used for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)
• Necropsy’s significance in veterinary medicine
• The value of veterinarians to the retail industry
• Examination of contemporary pet vaccinations
• Why not crocodiles or zebras? – investigating contemporary quirks in pet selection
• Investigating the components of natural animal feeds as the pet food business transitions to natural
• Rural locations with poor veterinary care: cause and remedies
• Fear or the dominance theory? – investigating the behavioural issues with dogs
• Looking for the best remedies for thunderstorm anxiety
• Why do the majority of pets have this phobia? Is it treatable?
• Is it a myth that animals act poorly because they want to rule the pack?
• Why do owners of sick animals need to be on guard?
• Environmental influences on chickens’ egg-laying productivity
• When do some chickens produce more eggs than others? What are the ideal circumstances to maintain their high levels of productivity?
• Cardiovascular changes in canine leishmaniasis
• Relevant clinical alterations in breast cancer in stage 3 females
• Cancer patients’ nutritional needs and metabolic changes are managed
• Review of the literature on alternative methods for treating canine atopic dermatitis
• Analysis of the primary epidemiological traits present in a buck with a breast tumour
• Cost-benefit analysis of supplemental mineral feeding to beef cattle
• Little ones frequently experience heart disorders
• Breast cancer reconstruction procedures for female dogs and cats
• Laws and public education about animal abuse
• An outline of the veterinary nurse’s responsibility in stopping owner maltreatment of animals
• Following surgery, the animals get rehabilitation
• What part does the veterinary nurse play in addressing the psychological effects of animal abuse? Is there any way to make it better?
• Illnesses that are extremely contagious and harm domestic animals
• Veterinary students are taught about public health as part of their training
• Treatment of sporty horses with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Effectiveness of homoeopathic medication in controlling ticks in dairy cattle
• A case study of bitches treated at the university veterinary hospital for breast cancer
• Study of sporotrichosis and visceral leishmaniasis notifications in the CCZ
• Investigation of the anaesthesia procedure death rate in tiny animals undergoing surgery
• Ways to improve how domestic animals are treated in the public network
• The significance of electrocardiography in dogs before surgery
• Neoplasms in an animal’s reproductive system
• The relevance of veterinarians in meeting retail needs
• Factors affecting milk quality in family farm settings
• As a technique for sustainability in agriculture, rotated grazing
• Prevalence of breast cancers in women and examination of their clinical and epidemiological features
• Cigarette carcinogens bring on principal tumours in dogs and cats
• Carcinogen-related cancer types manifested in dogs and cats exposed to smoke
• Gentamicin intramammary therapy in lactating cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis
• Aloe vera and arnica Montana are natural remedies for horse pythiosis
• Examine the veterinary nursing policies and practices of various nations and any potential working circumstances for nurses there

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These topics will help you get motivated to start working on your dissertation. You should also check out our list of biology dissertation topics for more inspiration. 

If the topic you choose is interesting and reflects your passion for the subject, it will be much easier for you to complete the dissertation in due time. However, if you face difficulties due to lack of knowledge, time or any other reason, now is the time to use our professional dissertation services ! Hiring a professional writer can help you achieve your desired academic grade from the comfort of your bed. 

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To find veterinary dissertation topics:

• Investigate emerging animal health issues.
• Explore gaps in current research.
• Consider ethical concerns.
• Review recent advancements.
• Consult experts and faculty.
• Select a topic aligning with your passion and career aspirations.

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Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center

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2021-2022 Funded Research Projects

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2021- 2022 Funded Research Projects:

Is Campylobacter a hidden source of canine GI troubles?

"Even from my days as a practitioner, I had this suspicion that we could be missing cases of  C. jejuni  in dogs," said Cummings, who is an associate professor of epidemiology at the  Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine . "If that's the case, we're missing an opportunity to make an accurate diagnosis and optimize the therapeutic plan for the canine patient. Also, we may be unknowingly sending patients home with an infection that can be transmitted to people."

Veterinarians rarely test for  C. jejuni , likely due to the added cost and the myriad other potential causes of diarrhea. The infection typically clears up on its own, but there is a risk the infected dog will pass the bacterium to humans or other animals. In recent years the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked several cases of multidrug-resistant  C. jejuni  in people to infected pet store puppies.

To find out whether  C. jejuni  may be an under diagnosed cause of diarrhea in dogs, Cummings will be working with collaborators at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals to test stool samples from dogs with diarrhea and healthy dogs coming in for routine checkups. Their tests will show what proportion of dogs in each group are shedding the bacterium. They suspect that dogs with acute diarrhea will be more likely to harbor  C. jejuni  than healthy dogs. They also plan to examine any  C. jejuni  that they culture from stool samples to see if they are resistant to antibiotics.

Cummings will also try to identify factors that may increase a dog's risk of becoming infected, such as different types of diets, medications or visits to dog parks and doggy daycare facilities. "One big dietary factor that is on our mind is raw meat diets, which present a clear risk, not only for  Campylobacter , but also  Salmonella ," he said.

Cummings hopes that his CHC-funded study will reveal potential risk factors so that veterinarians will have a better idea when to test a dog for  C. jejuni . Additionally, owners will be able to limit their dog's exposure to prevent their pets—and themselves—from becoming infected.

Written by Patricia Waldron

Laying the groundwork to find new therapies for oral tumors

"We deal with this type of tumor routinely in the clinic," said Peralta, an associate professor of dentistry and oral surgery at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "Treatment options have been unchanged for a very long time and the surgical solutions are often devastating to the patients. With the advent of novel technologies and amazing expertise from Cornell, we realized we could join forces and come up with better ways to treat OSCC patients."

Katt, a senior research associate in Molecular Medicine at Cornell specializing in cancer drug discovery, met Peralta at a cross-campus conference. They decided to team up and apply their very different areas of expertise to treating oral tumors. 

Even for humans with mouth cancer, there aren't many "gentle therapies," said Katt. "Canine oral cancer is thought to really well represent human oral cancer. So, we hope that anything we discover that works in canines could then be adapted to help human patients as well."

Scientists must screen potential new drugs in the lab for safety and effectiveness before giving them to patients. But for canine oral tumors, there are no screening tools available. To correct this problem, Peralta is taking cancerous tissues from his patients and growing them inside mice, while Katt is turning them into cell lines on plates in the lab. They aim to develop up to 10 mouse models with matching cell lines to represent the genetic diversity found in OSCC tumors.

Next, the team will test potential drugs in the cell lines and then in mice implanted with the tumors to identify ones that successfully shrink them. Ultimately, they hope to discover effective pharmacological approaches that can be tested further in clinical trials to treat dogs with OSCC. The work may one day result in fewer disfiguring surgeries.

Additional collaborators on this project include Rishi Puri, project manager of the PATh PDX Facility, which is developing the mouse tumor models; Jen Grenier, director of the Genomics Innovation Hub, who is helping with tumor sequencing efforts; and Gerald Duhamel, professor of anatomic pathology in Biomedical Sciences, who confirms that the tumors are in fact OSCC. Susan Garrison and Denise F. LaLonde-Paul from the Cornell Veterinary Biobank are helping to facilitate the collection and storage of samples.

"We are making excellent use of the Cornell facilities and the experts they have on hand to make sure everything is being done correctly," said Peralta. "This is critical for discovery."

Getting closer to the cause of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease typically shows up in small dog breeds, striking when dogs are just months old. It occurs when the ball at the top of the femur loses its blood supply and breaks down inside the hip joint. The only solutions are an invasive surgery to remove the ball of the femur—or a total hip replacement—which is expensive and traumatic for the dog.

The condition occasionally affects humans, but the trigger causing the blood loss and degeneration remains a mystery despite years of research. Some have proposed that a clotting disorder or a prior injury may be to blame.

"It's a bit of a blind alley," said Todhunter, who is an orthopedic surgeon and professor of surgery at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "By the time we see the problem, the disease has progressed to the stage where you have a clinical problem, so whatever triggered it a few months before might not be there anymore."

Previously, Todhunter and his collaborator, Dr. Jessica Hayward, a research associate in Biomedical Sciences at Cornell who specializes in canine genetics, searched canine genomes to find genes that contribute to the disease. They located a region on canine chromosome 6 that appears to be related. Their analysis included DNA from 85 small and mixed-breed dogs with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and 102 healthy dogs provided by a colleague at Clemson University.

Now, with the additional funding from the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, Todhunter and Hayward hope to narrow in on the exact mutation or mutations on chromosome 6 that put dogs at risk of developing the condition. They will almost double the number of dog genomes in their analysis through samples provided by a colleague at the University of Helsinki.

If the work is successful, then a genetic test can be developed to screen dogs who are carriers for the disease. This type of test could help breeders make better breeding decisions, resulting in fewer affected dogs.

The results may also provide hints to which genes in humans contribute to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, or to a common mechanism responsible for triggering the condition in both species.

Todhunter says it is challenging to find federal funding for canine research unless the dogs serve primarily as a model for human disease. He appreciates the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center's support to continue this work, which focuses purely on improving the health and wellbeing of our canine companions. 

Catching up to human treatments for canine AML

Some dogs are too sick at diagnosis even to attempt treatment, but for others, the standard therapy may give them a few more months. "One of the challenges with cancer treatment is that it's such a roll of the dice," said Hume. "That's why research is so important — so that we can have better treatment guidelines and give owners more accurate expectations for the future."

Currently, when dogs receive a diagnosis of AML, they have only a fraction of treatment options available to humans. Dr.  Tracy Stokol , a professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and veterinary clinical pathologist at the  Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine , wants to give dogs and their owners more information and better choices for fighting this aggressive disease. She received a grant from the  Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center  to investigate what the presence of different cancerous mutations reveals about how best to approach each dog's case. 

AML is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and leads to the production of vast numbers of immature blood cells that ultimately crowd out the other normal cells in the blood. The cancer progresses quickly—healthy dogs suddenly become tired, stop eating, have enlarged lymph nodes or develop a fever. "It's devastating when you have this really happy dog, some of which are quite young, and then suddenly they develop an incurable disease, which is so rapidly fatal," Stokol said.

Stokol has long been fascinated by AML, starting with her training in veterinary clinical pathology, but the disease really hit home when a close family member died from AML. The death inspired her to pursue research on the canine disease more vigorously. "We're so far behind in veterinary medicine," said Stokol. "We're using drugs that are old in human medicine and it would be nice to be able to expand our treatment options."

The center funding will enable Stokol to analyze blood samples from 20 dogs diagnosed with AML along with collaborators at the University of Georgia, the University of Guelph and the University of Tennessee, veterinarians from specialty clinics, and a pathologist who specializes in human AML at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They plan to compare DNA from the cancerous cells in the blood to DNA from a cheek swab to identify new mutations. Ultimately, they hope to link the mutations to different subtypes of AML, enabling genetic testing that could indicate whether newer drugs may be more effective than the standard treatment.

With the initial work funded by the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, Stokol also recently received a grant from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation that will extend the project for another two years and include 46 additional dogs.

Stokol is eager to recruit additional dogs. Veterinarians treating dogs suspected to have AML can  contact her  to be considered for the study, where they will receive complimentary diagnostic testing. The study may help future AML patients to live longer lives.

"I think we can do better than what we're doing now," Stokol said, "and at least give the owners more time with their dogs."

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The excellence of care provided by the veterinary profession is underpinned by evidence-based practice, with high-quality clinical research leading to better outcomes for our patients and clients. We consistently strive to improve animals’ health and welfare – and this commitment should always be reflected in our research activities, from the lightbulb moment of our study […]

From design to dissemination: the steps a research project needs to take

“A well-designed and ethical study with rigorous data analysis will make a valuable contribution to the evidence base for veterinary science”

The excellence of care provided by the veterinary profession is underpinned by evidence-based practice, with high-quality clinical research leading to better outcomes for our patients and clients. We consistently strive to improve animals’ health and welfare – and this commitment should always be reflected in our research activities, from the lightbulb moment of our study to the dissemination of our findings. A well-designed and ethical study with rigorous data analysis will make a valuable contribution to the evidence base for veterinary science.

Having identified your research topic, perhaps after reading about a specific area of interest or being inspired by a clinical case, your first step is the formation of a good research question: one that is answerable and reasonably focused. You must also consider whether it has already been reliably answered by other researchers. Thoroughly searching and critically appraising veterinary literature is a vital step in understanding what has been studied about a topic to date. It enables the development of a question that furthers current knowledge and delivers clinically relevant and applicable findings. The EBVM Toolkit by RCVS Knowledge offers support in exploring a clinical question by locating and critically appraising the available evidence.

Having identified your research topic, perhaps after reading about a specific area of interest or being inspired by a clinical case, your first step is the formation of a good research question

Answering a research question requires a robust study design. Clinical studies undertaken in practice are commonly observational, such as cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case-control studies and case reports, or interventional, such as randomised controlled clinical trials. The choice of study design is based on what will most appropriately answer the research question.

Constructing a detailed methodology is the crucial next step. Carefully consider the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the sample size required to achieve statistical significance and the patient recruitment feasibility. Research may involve veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses or pet owners, to seek their views on various aspects of veterinary practice. These considerations apply to retrospective and prospective studies. For clinical trials, randomisation and blinding should also be factored in. Guidance from a biostatistician can be invaluable in the planning stage of a study. Waltham Petcare Science Institute, for example, provides this support at Linnaeus. There are also free resources available online, including sample size calculators.

Clinical research needs to be conducted in compliance with the regulatory framework of the country in which the work is being undertaken and adhere to recognised ethical standards. In the UK, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) provides guidance to help the veterinary profession determine which studies can be conducted as part of clinical veterinary research (CVR) and when an ethical review is required (RCVS, 2023). CVR is when routine veterinary procedures are performed for the benefit of the patient, with the concurrent intention to generate new knowledge that helps to advance veterinary healthcare. Review and approval by an independent ethics review panel (ERP), like the RCVS ERP in the UK, ensures that the investigators have adhered to ethical and legal standards and followed research best practice, including a robust experimental design.

Clinical research needs to be conducted in compliance with the regulatory framework of the country in which the work is being undertaken and adhere to recognised ethical standards

Following data collection, most studies require statistical analysis. The analysis plan should include the identification of primary and secondary outcome measures, how missing data will be handled and the justification of statistical tests to be used. Again, it can be highly valuable to have support from a biostatistician at this stage.

When writing up and disseminating findings, note that reporting guidelines are widely available through sites like the Equator Network. They list the information required to ensure the authors provide a thorough account of what was done, their conclusions and how these apply to clinical practice.

It is advisable to select a target journal before drafting a manuscript, as their guidelines and formats vary. Peer-reviewed titles provide the strongest endorsement of your findings. Opt for open-access journals if possible, as these enable research to be disseminated more widely and support evidence-based veterinary practice.

Opt for open-access journals if possible, as these enable research to be disseminated more widely and support evidence-based veterinary practice

Involving others throughout the research process provides additional insight and guidance. Their different perspectives may challenge a study, but your research will become stronger as a result. There are many opportunities for collaboration across the veterinary profession – with your colleagues, peers in the UK and overseas, universities and industry.

When undertaking research, financial and practical support is also available through many organisations. At Linnaeus, the clinical research team provides advice on every step of the study process to ensure that our colleagues can realise the full potential of their work.

By designing an achievable and impactful study and taking advantage of the guidance available, your work could make a hugely positive difference to many lives.

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Research Experiences for Veterinary Students

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Pursuing research opportunities as an Ohio State veterinary student can provide invaluable hands-on experience to help advance your future career in veterinary medicine. Although the college offers many opportunities for veterinary students to gain real-world knowledge and skills through research, clinical work or industry experiences, students often explore opportunities with external groups.

Gaining research and clinical experience during veterinary school can set you apart when applying for future internships, residencies and jobs after graduation. It allows you to explore your interests, build your network and determine what aspects of veterinary medicine you are most passionate about pursuing long-term.

Whether you are interested in a summer research opportunity, clinical externship, industry immersion program, or year-long research fellowship, you can find details on application deadlines, eligibility requirements and program specifics.

Research Section Links

Ohio state experiences.

Veterinary students develop and work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor, typically focused during the three month period during the summer break, but may also assist student research projects throughout the academic year.  Learn more.

The American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine sponsors a summer fellowship for an Ohio State veterinary student for the purpose of gaining experience in and/or exposure to the field of laboratory animal medicine. Any OSU veterinary student interested in this field is strongly encouraged to consider applying for this opportunity. Learn more.

The Laboratory Animal Medicine Program within the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Office of Research at The Ohio State University offers a residency in Laboratory Animal Medicine. This ACLAM certified training program is designed to provide Trainees with broad exposure to all facets of laboratory animal medicine for a multitude of careers in biomedical research. Learn more . 

Our 12-week American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) Foundation paid summer fellowship is designed to provide students with a broad exposure to laboratory animal medicine and its various components including clinical medicine, population health, facility operations/management, experimental surgery, protocol development/IACUC review, agricultural animal research/clinical medicine, and research.  Learn more. 

Rainier Scholars Program

The mission of the Rainier Scholars Program is to engage professional degree/graduate students in veterinary medicine with academic, laboratory and hands-on experiences to better position them for opportunities in industry. First year students are eligible to apply for this four year program and graduate with a Rainier Scholar distinction at completion of the program. The next application deadline is December 22, 2023, contact Michele Morscher for more information. 

• First year  veterinary student in good standing with the college
• Minimum 3.3 GPA eligibility requirement
• Essay on intent, highlighting how this experience aligns with and will help achieve career goals (500 word limit)
• Current Advising Report - can be found on Buckeyelink
• Resume or CV (curriculum vitae)

Program External Advisory Board

• James Blacka, DVM, Director of Professional Services Veterinarians, North America for IDEXX Laboratories
• Daniel S. Marsman, DVM, PhD, Head, Global Product Stewardship, Procter & Gamble Health Care; Head P&G Office of Animal Welfare
• Tracey Papenfuss, DVM, PhD, Senior Pathologist, StageBio

Program Internal Advisory Board

• Emma Read , Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Prosper Boyaka , Interim Chair, Biosciences
• Michael Oglesbee , Director, Summer Research Program
• Jean Schelhorn, Director of Commercialization and Industry Collaborations
• Angela Marolf , Chair, Clinical Sciences
• Thomas Wittum , Chair, Preventive Medicine

External Experiences

Through a supportive, mentored research experience in an established laboratory and through seminars and discussion groups on careers in science, it is hoped that veterinary students will gain an insight on career opportunities in biomedical research. Veterinary students in their first or second year of veterinary school are encouraged to apply. Programs are typically 10-12 weeks during the summer and held at veterinary schools throughout the US and Canada. Students are eligible to apply to any of the institutions listed with an active Merial Veterinary Scholars Program, regardless of where you are currently enrolled. There are 28 universities listed that are participating in this program.

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM

This program seeks to help veterinary students become biomedical researchers. Open to First through Third year veterinary students. Ten veterinary students will be admitted for the summer of 2016. The program lasts 10-12 weeks during the months of (dates are flexible) May through September. Application Deadline is February More information can be found at Stanford Medicine

Research training in Biomedical Sciences at Stanford University

This program is open to individuals with a veterinary degree and fourth year veterinary students. Funded by NIH. Contact Paul Buckmast  or 650-498-4774 for information and application instructions.

University of Missouri

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College of Veterinary Medicine

Feline research projects, cat genetic projects – mu lyons’ feline genetics laboratory.

The Lyons’ Feline Genetics laboratory at MU pursues a plethora of genetic projects for the domestic cat, and some wild felids too! We attempt to find funding for each project, but often sample collection is a minimal cost and is a major prerequisite to initiate a formal study in the first place. Below is a list of projects. We tend to focus on the projects that obtain the most enthusiasm and cooperation from breeders and cat owners and also have funding. The squeaky wheel gets the attention – but you do have to play to win – by providing samples, health records, photographs and encouraging participation.

ALL PARTICIPATION IS CONFIDENTIAL.

We will not tell others, even your friends, if you are participating. We never identify specific cats in projects, unless you want to be acknowledged.

Anyone can participate!

Healthy cats or cats without the trait of interest are very important and are important controls for all studies – we generally never turn away any cat and any interested participant! Often we need help in other ways – such as spreading the news of the project and helping to understand your breed! Please examine the projects below and hopefully there will be a study appropriate for your cat’s participation! New recommendations of studies are always welcome!

Please note – all collected samples will be made available to other investigators upon request. There are many cat genetic projects and little funding, thus we strongly promote collaborations and or supporting other investigators with studies that our samples may assist!

Funding makes projects move forward to finding their genetic cause! Any support is appreciated. We apply to funding opportunities constantly, especially the EveryCat Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Donations to MU directly are greatly appreciated!

To participate in cat research, please see the list of active research projects above of follow this link: How to Participate .

The Lyons’ laboratory is always interested in new cat projects or supporting other researchers in their genetic research endeavors for cats.  Please contact the laboratory if you think you have a new and interesting genetic presentation in your cat!

To provide targeted funding via support and donations for feline genetics, please contact Dr. Lyons or the College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Advancement .

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Fifteen Powerful Research Paper Topics On Veterinary Medicine 

Veterinary medicine is a very broad subject, and you can come up with various research paper topics within the field. You may explore animal welfare and law, laboratory animal medicine, or other veterinary fields that are similar to human medical care areas. If you choose a niche that is interesting and currently trending, your research paper will be a success. Make use of the following powerful topics to boost your inspiration:

• Pet obesity: looking for reasons and solutions.

Why do our pets become overweight? Is it a nutrition problem? What real and workable assistance can be offered?

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• Technological innovations in veterinary services.

What technologies are used nowadays to examine and treat animals?

• Pet food industry goes natural: looking into the ingredients of natural animal feeds.

How do manufacturers of the pet feeds label and mark the ingredients used in their products? Is there any guarantee that the ingredients are really natural?

• Investigation into modern vaccines for pets.
• Why not zebras or crocodiles? – Exploring modern whims in choosing a pet.

Which unusual animals are commonly chosen as pets nowadays? Why?

• Poor veterinary care in rural areas: looking for reasons and solutions.

What is the quality of veterinary care in your country?

• Ebola virus: why should pet owners be on alert?
• Dominance theory or fear? – Exploring behavioral problems in our pets.

Is it really a misconception that animals behave badly due to the need to dominate?

• Punishment for animals: use and misuse.

Why shouldn’t choke chains, electronic collars, or pinch collars be used to treat animal behavioral problems? What are the adverse effects of using these punishment tools?

• Microchipping our pets: a necessity or a useless trend?

Why do pet owners choose to use microchips? Are there any risks involved?

• Itchy pets: researching the causes.

When is the time to be concerned if our household animals are itchy?

• Thunderstorm anxiety: looking for the most effective treatments.

Why is this a common phobia for the majority of pets? Can it be treated?

• Arthritis: symptoms and treatment.

Why is this disease dangerous for our animals?

• Mycotoxicoses: fighting the dangers.

What are the medical grounds for drawing such a diagnosis? Why should the owners of a diseased animal be on alert?

• Effects of the environment on the egg-laying efficiency of hens.

When do some hens lay more eggs than others? What are the optimal conditions for keeping their productivity levels high?

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Research Project Information

I. General Information:

One of the requirements of the MPVM Program is the completion of an applied epidemiology study which culminates in a written and oral report that is presented to MPVM students and faculty, usually in August of the summer following admission to the program.

The intents of the project are to develop skills in the design and conduct of research and data analysis, and possibly to explore a new subject area.  The study can be designed to uncover facts, or it can involve the development of an educational or disease control program.  The research report must represent a careful and systematic study involving an epidemiologic topic.  Over the years, research projects have focused on a variety of topics including diseases of livestock, poultry, wildlife, companion animals, zoonoses and food safety.  Data previously obtained may be used in the formulation of this study; however, a data set that has been previously analyzed is not acceptable.  If you plan to use a data set from a study that you have previously done, it must be reviewed and approved beforehand by your faculty advisor.

MPVM Quarterly Presentation Schedule

II. Finding a Project:

You are encouraged to bring with you data gathered during previous employment. Or, you may choose to work on a project that is provided by a faculty member at UC Davis.  Profiles of veterinary school faculty are available on the web at  http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/   - you can search faculty lists by name, department or academic focus. These faculty profiles will help identify faculty members who might have research projects in areas of interest to you. Specific projects that they are working on will not necessarily be listed, however.

A major source of help will be your  MPVM Academic Advisor.   The program Academic Advisers are Janet Foley and Gabriele Maier .

III.  MPVM Project Advisors:

You must have 2 MPVM project advisors, a  Subject-matter  advisor, and a  Quantitative  advisor. It is possible that your MPVM Academic Advisor can also serve as one of your project advisors.

The Subject-matter advisor should be an expert in the topic of your project.  For example, a project ”Risk factors for  Campyobacter  infection in slaughtered hens in Chechnia” could be either an expert in Campylobacter , or poultry slaughter.  He/she does not necessarily need to be an MPVM faculty member, or, at times not even a UC-Davis faculty member. 

The quantitative advisor is a core MVPM faculty member with much experience in design and analysis of MPVM projects.  It is especially important to involve your quantitative advisor at the start of planning for your MPVM project.

Typically, you will sign up for a total of 8 units (credits) for your project – 4 units for each project advisor, divided among quarters.  The CRN number for each faculty member’s 299 course is different from all other faculty members’ and changes every quarter.  Obtain the CRN number from the faculty member’s departmental office.

IV. Timeline for MPVM Projects:

Summer session I:  Consult Academic Advisor.  Begin to find suitable project and subject-matter and quantitative advisors.

Fall quarter : Complete plans for project and possibly begin work on project.  Take advantage of courses MPM 208 and MPM 209 (offered fall and winter quarters, respectively) to do literature review and begin writing up project. Collect data and/or collate and clean up data set in preparation for analysis.

Winter and spring quarters:  Do data analysis and complete “Results” section.

May-June:  Complete first draft of project.

July 1:  Submit first draft of project to project advisors.  Find out in advance when they will be available to review your drafts, and plan accordingly.  Remember that 3 or more drafts are often necessary before your advisors are ready to sign off on (approve) your project, and you must allow  at least 2 weeks for each reading.

August 7 (approximately):  submit approved MPVM project to Christi Boyter electronically at [email protected] .

V. Guidelines for typing and submitting MPVM projects:

A typed double-spaced complete draft of your paper should be submitted to your advisers approximately 2 months before your presentation is scheduled.  The corrected text including tables and figures should be submitted to your advisors for final corrections at least one month prior to your presentation.  Your paper must be grammatically acceptable before your advisors approve it.  In preparing the paper, follow precisely the style and guidelines of a journal of your choice which accepts papers similar to yours.  Remember this paper should be of publishable quality.

At least 1 month prior to the presentation, submit your project title and the names of your advisers to Christi Boyter ( [email protected] ) and the Program Chair.

Your paper should be typed, double-spaced with a 1-inch margin on the left and a 1-inch margin on the top, right and bottom of the page (the 1-inch left margin is necessary in order to bind the project).  The version that you submit for outside review should have line numbers and page numbers.  Papers usually should be no more than 25-30 typed pages.

Please submit a hard copy of your title page signed by your two advisers, AND an electronic copy (in Word) of your research report, abstract and title page (sample of abstract and title page form below) to Christi Boyter, Graduate Group in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine Administrative Building, One Shields Avenue, Room 1020, at least 14 days prior to the presentation.  A copy of all abstracts will be provided to everyone at the presentation.  We MUST have your paper in by the deadline in order to allow time for it to be read by a third reviewer (assigned by the Chair of the MPVM Program), prior to your oral presentation.  We suggest that you also provide your two advisers with a copy of your paper.

The third reader will review the MPVM project as any reviewer would review a manuscript submitted for publication in a scientific journal.  He/she will share his/her comments with you before the MPVM project presentation date, and you should revise your MPVM project accordingly, in consultation with your two project advisers. Ideally, the third reader will also be present at the oral presentations to ask questions during the discussion session for your paper.

When your paper is completely finalized (i.e., after you have made all corrections and changes requested by the third reviewer) and ready for binding, provide an electronic version without line and page numbers to Christi Boyter.  This must be done by the last day of the quarter in order to graduate.

Examples of a Title Page and Abstract are provided below the next section.

VI.  Oral Presentation of MPVM Projects

Four oral presentation dates are scheduled each year: a. The first part of September, two weeks prior to start of Fall quarter  (9/13 is main (preferred) presentation date). b. The last Friday of instruction for Fall Quarter. c. The last Friday of instruction for Winter Quarter. c. The last Friday of instruction for Spring Quarter.

Format for presentations is similar to that of international scientific meetings. Each presentation is allocated a total of 15 minutes:  10-12 minutes for presentation of the project and 3-5 minutes for discussion.

Most presentations are in PowerPoint. Be sure to review with your advisors the tables, graphs, etc. that you select, and include only those necessary to effectively communicate your message. Be especially careful that tables and figures do not include too much information and that they can be read from the back of the room.

As presentations last no longer than ten minutes, it would be helpful to have a mock presentation with both advisors well in advance of the presentation date,  allowing sufficient time to make any suggested changes in your presentation.

Review the MPVM Presentations SOP for additional guidance ( .pdf ).

Comparison of histologic reproductive lesions and serologic responses in virgin heifers experimentally inoculated with Tritrichomonas foetus , Pentatrichomonas hominis or Tetratrichomonas sp.: Are Non- T. foetus trichomonads pathogenic for cattle?

By  Alana C. McQuarry, D.V.M.

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE  (MPVM) Office of Graduate Studies University of California, Davis Davis, California

December 2005

Reviewed and Approved by Robert H. BonDurant, D.V.M. Professor and Department Chair; Veterinary Medicine: Population Health and Reproduction

Philip H. Kass, D.V.M., Ph.D. Professor; Veterinary Medicine: Population Health and Reproduction

Objective  – To evaluate whether non –  T. foetus  trichomonads are pathogenic to cattle.

Design  – Randomized experimental trial.

Animals  – 44 virgin beef heifers.

Procedure  – Heifers were placed into one of four groups and intravaginally inoculated with either  T. foetus  (n=8),  Pentatrichomonas hominis  (n=14),  Tetratrichomonas  sp. (n=14), or media control (n=8).  Cervical vaginal mucus (CVM) was cultured weekly in a commercially prepared media and assayed with an ELISA for anti-trichomonad IgA antibodies.  Blood samples were taken from each heifer, and a hemolytic assay (HA) for antibodies to  T. foetus  was performed on these samples from weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8.  Histopathology was performed on all layers of vaginal and uterine tissue to evaluate overall inflammation and cell types involved.

Results  – Of the four groups, only  T. foetus -inoculated heifers had persistently positive culture results.  Additionally, vaginal and uterine mucosal inflammation scores were worse for  T. foetus  infected heifers than controls.  All trichomonads were found to incite a serosal eosinophilic response. Tissues from heifers inoculated with  Pentatrichomonas  and  Tetratrichomonas  were not significantly different (p > 0.20) from media control heifers.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance  – Given that trichomonosis is a disease wherein long term presence of the etiologic agent is associated with tissue-damaging host responses, the failure of non- T. foetus trichomonads to colonize and persist in the female genital tract strongly suggests that they do not contribute to a trichomonosis-like disease syndrome.

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Royal Veterinary College researcher-clinicians are involved with world-class research that not only benefits their own patients but also helps the global veterinary community support veterinary health and welfare. 

Some of the current significant research areas are:

• Stem Cell Therapies  
• Laminitis Research  
• Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID or Equine Cushing’s disease)
• Elastic Band Resistance Research
• Lameness Research

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Student Research Opportunities

Mentored research that offers a rich learning experience, where students increase their understanding of the scientific process and the responsible conduct of research, as well as improve their written and oral communication skills and gain insight into available professional paths.

First-Hand View of Research

Veterinary scholars program, summer research internship program for first- and second-year veterinary medicine students .

Co-directors: Sam Jones and Jody Gookin  

The majority of students entering the DVM program are interested in private practice. Providing veterinary students with positive experiences in research early in their curriculum is likely to encourage students to consider alternative careers in clinical or basic science. The objective of the Veterinary Scholars Program is to provide veterinary students with mentored research experiences in biomedical laboratories within our College of Veterinary Medicine.

Activities and Expectations Students are expected to complete  10 weeks of full-time research  over the course of the summer. In addition to working in research laboratories, students can participate in several joint events held during the summer. Full participation in each activity is an expectation of each student in the program.

• An orientation program including lunch and seminar for scholars and their faculty mentors on the first day of the program. Goals of the program are to clarify procedures and expectations of mentors and scholars; impart a global perspective on evidence-based inquiry and technical approaches to problem solving; and to showcase NC State excellence in research. The program will be followed by lunch for the scholars, mentors and guest speakers.
• Conducting studies with animals – ethical and regulatory considerations.
• Information resources for the clinical and basic sciences.
• Effective grantsmanship and the development of hypothesis-driven research.
• The essentials of manuscript preparation.
• Preparing and presenting scientific data as an oral abstract or poster.
• Practice session for oral abstract presentation.
• Seminars will be held at 8 a.m. to facilitate scholar participation without conflict with their ongoing activities in the laboratory.
• A half-day symposium and lunch will be held at Triangle Research Institutes in Raleigh such as NIEHS, the EPA, or Charles Rivers Laboratories. The goal of this trip is to feature the unique role of veterinarians engaged in research for industry and government. Veterinarians in pathology, drug discovery and development, and laboratory animal medicine will be featured speakers.
• Attendance at the annual Boehringer Ingelheim NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium by the directors and scholars.
• Finally all summer research interns are expected to present results of their summer research project at the following Spring CVM Research Forum.

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research T35 Training Program (IBRTP/T35)

The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine established the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Training Program (IBRTP) for veterinary students to provide research training in a multidisciplinary environment.  Trainees will complete a three-month research experience in the laboratories of two faculty members drawn from seven disciplines.

Please send questions to CVM Coordinator of Graduate Programs and Research Training [email protected] 919.513.6357

Schedule of Activities

Program Details

Eligibility.

Veterinary students who have completed their first or second year of veterinary school are eligible to apply. The highest priority will be placed on students who genuinely desire a research experience but have not previously had such an opportunity. Students enrolled in graduate programs, students who have received advanced degrees in science, or students who previously participated in similar research programs at NC State or elsewhere are not eligible to apply. These students may apply for any of the other opportunities listed under the Research Opportunities toggle. 

Research Opportunities

Niehs summers of discovery program.

The NIEHS has established the Summers of Discovery Program for which Intramural Research Training Awards (IRTAs) are given to outstanding DVM and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical/ biological sciences. Scientific disciplines within the program include neurosciences, biophysics, genetics, carcinogenesis, reproductive and developmental biology, chemistry, pharmacology, pulmonary pathobiology, classical and functional toxicology, clinical research, statistics, biomathematics, epidemiology, computer modeling and risk assessment.

OTHER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS

National boehringer ingelheim veterinary scholars program.

Funding provided by this program supports summer research for DVM students at about 20 veterinary schools. The national program encourages students to apply to other veterinary schools offering summer research programs sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim to broaden their experiences. The participating veterinary schools are all eligible to send students to the Boehringer Ingelheim NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAMS AT US VETERINARY SCHOOLS

A group of veterinary schools have NIH-funded training programs to offer more extensive research experience to veterinary students. See the  National Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program  website for links to these schools and for more information. In addition, the NIH has summer research internships available.

CORNELL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The Leadership Program for Veterinary Students at Cornell University is a unique summer learning experience for veterinary students who seek to broadly influence the veterinary profession through a career in research. The program is an intensive, research-oriented learning experience that combines faculty-guided research with career counseling, student-directed learning, and a variety of professional enrichment activities.

MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION VETERINARY STUDENT SCHOLAR PROGRAM

The Morris Animal Foundation provides competitive stipends to first through third year veterinary students proposing research projects, at their own school, that enhance the health and welfare of companion animals. Applicants must devote a minimum of 50% of their time to the project for an equivalent of a 10-12 week period.

Recruitment

In October, the Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies will host an evening information session for all participating faculty mentors and DVM students interested in a summer research experience. The session will describe the program and various research opportunities available at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Please find the slides from the information session here. To view a recording of the information session, please click here . You must sign in with your unity ID and password to view.

Applications from students attending other veterinary schools is encouraged. A list of other veterinary schools offering similar summer research programs can be accessed at  Boehringer Ingelheim  Veterinary Scholars Program . A minimum of 4 stipends will be available for participation of outside scholars in our program.

Application Process & Documents

Veterinary students will be invited to submit applications by  February 1, 2023 . In order to complete an application, each student must identify a faculty-mentor that will supervise the research internship. It is expected that individual projects will enable the student to formulate a testable hypothesis, identify specific objectives, conduct research, interpret data, present their findings in an oral abstract format, and submit a one-page summary at the conclusion of their summer experience.

• Summer Research Programs Graph
• VSP Orientation Session
• VSP and IBRTP Announcement
• VSP and IBRTP Application

Students may submit applications with more than one mentor, but are limited to 2 applications. Students are required to meet with prospective mentors prior to submitting an application to work with that mentor. An open period to meet with mentors will be held during which time no commitments by either mentors or students may be made. Students will then select one or two mentors with whom to prepare an application.

Mentors and Research Areas

In addition to having a strong track record of positive mentorship, all mentors have agreed to meet the following criteria:

• Oversee all aspects of the project; provide the background, financial resources, and facilities and equipment for necessary for successful completion of the project
• Meet regularly with the student and be accessible outside the regular meeting schedule
• Contribute to the students intellectual growth and development; Help the student with experimental design and methodology; Help the student develop experimental progress and direction; Help the student troubleshoot experimental problems; Help develop the students capacity for reasoning and data interpretation; Help the student think critically and objectively about their own results and ideas
• Contribute to the students professional development; Provide counsel for professional decisions; Help the student envision a career plan; Provide input and guidance for abstract, presentation, and poster preparation
• Serve as a role model; Convey high ethical standards and concerns for research subjects; Illustrate active teamwork and collaboration; Illustrate good work habits; Illustrate good mentoring skills
• List of current mentors

Matching Process

Students and mentors will be required to rank their proposals. The number of students ultimately matched with a particular mentor will be limited to the maximum number of students the mentor has agreed to accommodate. Our goal is to match students with their highest priority project while spreading them out amongst as many mentors as possible. Applications will be reviewed by the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and both Program Co-Directors. Successful applicants will be notified in early March.

A stipend of $6,500.00 will be awarded for completion of 10 weeks of full-time research.  

Undergraduate Research Program

We accept applications throughout the year. Application deadlines are as follows: For Fall semester consideration: applications due by June 1 For Spring semester consideration: applications due by November 1 For Summer consideration: applications due by March 1 We will notify you if your application has been accepted by a lab in the month following the application deadline.

The Centennial Biomedical Campus (CBC) offers research training programs for highly motivated undergraduate students interested in biomedical research. Students are mentored by CBC faculty, senior graduate students, postdoctoral associates and research technicians. Students are encouraged to attend weekly laboratory meetings, workshops, research symposiums, social events, and more, as available.

This experience may be eligible for free elective credit through CBS 493.

Students interested in research in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology are also encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Undergraduate student with a strong interest in biomedical research
• Sophomore standing or higher
• 3.35 GPA or higher
• For summer applicants, both summer semesters are required
• Undergraduate Research Application– Submit your application!

Please send questions to: Shannon Brooks, [email protected]

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National Research Council (US) Committee on the National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science . Critical Needs for Research in Veterinary Science. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2005.

Critical Needs for Research in Veterinary Science.

• Hardcopy Version at National Academies Press

2 Progress and Opportunities in Veterinary Research

T his chapter outlines some of the contributions of veterinary research and the promise it holds for the improvement of public health and food safety, animal health, and the advancement of comparative medicine. Because animal welfare—defined as the well-being of individual animals, that is, normal functioning and freedom from disease and injury—is an extension of animal health that involves veterinary research, it is appropriate to include it in the field of animal health. Research in several subdisciplines of the three fields has been identified as critical for advancing and protecting animal and human health. In addition, several emerging issues span two or more fields, so they cannot be neatly categorized as subdisciplines of public health and food safety, animal health and welfare, or comparative medicine ( Box 2-1 ). Although the different aspects of veterinary research are grouped under four headings—public health and food safety, animal health and welfare, comparative medicine and emerging issues, they are intertwined. For example, research in comparative medicine contributes to animal health through development of preventive medicine and treatment. Study of wildlife diseases contributes not only to wildlife health and conservation but also to the study of emerging infectious diseases, many of which are zoonotic.

Subdisciplines of Veterinary Research that are Critical to Improving Public Health and Food Safety, and Animal Health and Advancing Comparative Medicine. Public Health and Food Safety Food Safety

• PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY

Food Safety

Foodborne illnesses, as defined by the World Health Organization, are diseases—usually infectious or toxic—caused by agents that enter the body through the ingestion of food. They are a major cause of human morbidity and mortality in the United States, responsible for an estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths a year ( Mead et al., 1999 ). Animals—both domesticated and wild—are frequent reservoirs of foodborne pathogens that can cause human illness and animals are among the most common vehicles of enteric bacterial infections in humans ( http://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/ ). For example, more than 70% of sporadic Campylobacter infections in the United States have been associated with eating foods of animal origin or contact with animals ( Friedman et al., 2004 ). Eating contaminated poultry products is largely responsible for cases of Salmonella enteritidis infection ( Kimura et al., 2004 ). Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections are associated principally with eating products of bovine origin, contact with ruminants, and consumption of water contaminated with bovine feces ( Kennedy et al., 2002 ; Kassenborg et al., 2004 ). Primary risk factors for multiple drug-resistant Salmonella newport infections are contact with cattle and consumption of bovine products ( Gupta et al., 2003 ). Most of those microorganisms are commensals that reside in the animal gastrointestinal tract and cause no apparent symptoms of illness and had no adverse effects on weight gain or milk or egg production. Most foodborne pathogen infections have no effect on animal health or on economic factors associated with animal production so there has been considerably less emphasis on veterinary food-safety research than on research to improve animal health, and greater advances have been made in controlling diseases of livestock and poultry than in reducing the occurrence of pathogens in these animals.

Animal-associated pathogen contamination of food occurs both before and after harvest. Livestock and poultry are the primary sources of many harmful microorganisms that are transmitted to foods and on the farm during harvesting, slaughter, and processing. Such foods as meat and poultry can be directly contaminated with pathogens through contact with animal manure during production and processing, and other foodstuffs, such as fruits and vegetables, can be indirectly contaminated through the environment, for example via irrigation water tainted with livestock manure. Various determinants influence the carriage and transmission of foodborne pathogens during animal production and processing. For example, an animal's diet can affect the microbial composition of its intestinal tract and can serve as a source of harmful agents, such as prions related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy from ruminant neurological tissue; in free-range conditions, outdoor exposure to wildlife presents a greater opportunity for transmission of indigenous pathogens of vermin, pests, and wild animals than does controlled indoor housing, which largely excludes vermin and wild animals; in some times of the year, such as summer, there is a dramatic increase in pathogen carriage by livestock and poultry; shipping of animals can induce stress and greater susceptibility to pathogen shedding; and slaughtering practices, such as cold-water chilling of poultry, can disseminate pathogens among carcasses during processing. There are many gaps in our understanding of where in the production and processing chain interventions will have the greatest effect on reducing pathogen loads and ultimately providing the greatest public-health protection.

Of the estimated 76 million cases of foodborne illness that occur each year in the United States, CDC estimates that there are 62 million cases of food-associated acute gastroenteritis of unknown etiology ( Mead et al., 1999 ). Although the causative agents of many well-documented foodborne outbreaks of distinctive illness (such as Brainerd diarrhea) remain unknown ( Bean et al., 1996 ), many new foodborne pathogens were identified in recent years. For example, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, three major bacterial pathogens were first identified by microbiologists and public-health epidemiologists as agents of foodborne illness: Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes . Since then, C. jejuni has become recognized as the leading cause of acute bacterial gastroenteritis in many developed countries, E. coli O157:H7 has been identified as the leading cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and L. monocytogenes has become a primary cause of death among recognized foodborne pathogens. It is possible that many emerging foodborne pathogens are not newly evolved but already exist in nature and have yet to be identified or associated with foodborne disease.

Resistance to antimicrobial agents has become a major public health concern and subtherapeutic use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals has been alleged to be one of the major factors in antibiotic resistance. Arguments for and against that association have been presented ( Turnidge, 2004 ; Phillips et al., 2004 ), but surveillance systems that monitor the distribution, occurrence, and trends in numbers of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in humans, animals, and environmental sources will be critical for resolving this issue. The United States, in 1996, created the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Systems (NARMS), which was a collaborative effort of the Center for Veterinary Medicine in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Major contributions to the field of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens of animal and human significance have been achieved through elucidation of mechanisms of development of antimicrobial resistance. The principal genetic force responsible for induction of antibiotic resistance in bacteria has been found to be horizontal gene transfer of plasmids, transposons, and integrons. Although it is known that the emergence and dissemination of bacterial antimicrobial resistance result from numerous complex interactions among antimicrobials, microorganisms, and the surrounding environment, the relative importance of specific factors in mobilization of these genetic factors between organisms is unknown.

The genetics revolution has led to potential introduction of desirable characteristics in food-producing animals, such as developing transgenic lines of food animals intrinsically resistant to traditional foodborne pathogens. However, methods used to modify animals genetically may introduce compositional changes, some of which may be undesirable. Potential hazards include toxicity, allergy, nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, and risks associated with endocrine activity. Research is needed to assess the safety and nutritional values of transgenic and cloned food animals.

Continuing veterinary research on food safety is needed to improve detection and surveillance of foodborne pathogens associated with livestock and poultry production, define the ecology of foodborne pathogens in food-producing animals and their environment, develop interventions to reduce the dissemination of foodborne pathogens by poultry and livestock, study the development and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance of foodborne pathogens associated with animals in the food chain, and develop methods to assess the safety and nutritional value of transgenic and cloned animals.

Examples of Critical Research Needs

• Rapid, sensitive, and accurate assays for detecting foodborne pathogens.
• Epidemiological approaches to identifying risk factors and intervention strategies that have the greatest effect on reducing foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms associated with livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. This includes a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology and genetic elements of the foodborne zoonotic agents, especially of those agents that have recently emerged.
• Practical and effective interventions for minimizing carriage of and contamination with food-associated pathogens of animal origin.
• Methods to assess the safety and nutritional value of transgenic and cloned food-producing animals.
• Identification of previously unrecognized foodborne pathogens of animal origin.

Importance and Contribution of Research

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service estimates more than $15 billion in annual medical expenses and lost productivity resulting from salmonellosis, Campylobacter enteritis, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections alone ( USDA-ERS 2004 ). A concerted research effort to address food safety can prevent the recurrence and reduce the effects of the more than 3.5 million estimated cases of foodborne illness each year of which livestock and poultry are the primary sources of causative agents. Veterinary research will contribute to eliminating transmission of pathogens to foods of animal origin.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity is the integrated system of policies, training, and procedures designed to deter, interdict, detect, respond to, and recover from intentional introduction of biological agents or related products that can cause disease or death in humans, animals, or plants. Until 1997, almost all US research done for the purpose of developing countermeasures to biological warfare was done in the Department of Defense (DOD) ( Zajtchuk, 1997 ). Veterinarians with board certification in laboratory animal medicine or comparative pathology or with doctoral degrees in specialty fields—such as physiology, pharmacology, toxicology, and microbiology—played an important role in that research. Research conducted at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) at Fort Detrick, MD—the lead DOD laboratory for medical biological defense— and in other laboratories led to important vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics for military personnel. Other government departments became involved in biodefense research—first the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1998 and then the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in 2002. Several medical countermeasures developed at USAMRIID—such as cell-culture-derived smallpox vaccine and recombinant anthrax vaccine—have now been moved into advanced development by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Although food safety has been an integral part of veterinary medicine throughout history, food biosecurity is an emerging issue that affects the entire food chain. Preharvest biosecurity research is concerned with protection of animal health and production, and postharvest biosecurity research is related to food microbiology and toxicology (refer to food safety section above). Examples of agricultural and food-biosecurity research being conducted by veterinary scientists include the development of preharvest and postharvest surveillance systems, diagnostic and detection systems, vaccines, immunomodulating drugs, animal and product tracking systems, and ecologically sound means of disposal of animal carcasses.

A new awareness of the need for food and agricultural biosecurity research arose after September 11 and the “anthrax letter” attacks of 2001 because biosecurity research is closely related to maintaining a safe agricultural sector and food supply. The US food and fiber industry generates over $200 billion a year in farm cash receipts ( USDA, 2003 ). From an economic standpoint, adulteration of food could alter market sentiment through fear and thus have substantial economic impact with enormous potential ripple effects. Furthermore, sequential or multifocal attacks on our food supply could undermine the trust of the American people in their government.

Agricultural bioterrorism and the vulnerability of the food-producing animal industries in the United States to such activity are addressed in a National Research Council report ( NRC 2003a ). That report provides an in-depth analysis of the known agents that could be used to disrupt food-animal production and discusses the research and infrastructure needed to develop countermeasures. The fact that animals cannot be easily protected from the group of diseases suggested as primary agents of agricultural bioterrorism is indicative that those conditions should be among those given high priority for veterinary research. (See Appendix D for list of bioterrorism agents.) In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded 3-year grants to two university consortia to study preharvest and postharvest agricultural biosecurity ( DHS 2004 ). In addition, several academic centers—typically in land-grant universities—have established their own centers, and some have or are constructing biosafety level 3 laboratories in which to conduct agricultural research (see Appendix E ).

• Improved ability to detect and identify disease and pathogens in animal populations.
• Improved ability to detect pathogens and toxicants in food along the processing chain.
• Improved understanding of interactions between pathogens and hosts so that effective preventive measures and countermeasures can be developed.
• Rational development of cost-effective countermeasures, both vaccines and nonspecific therapeutic agents.

Although veterinary researchers are already addressing important research issues related to agricultural terrorism and emerging disease, we are slowly gaining an appreciation of the importance of integrating human and animal health issues through “species-neutral” disease surveillance ( Box 2-2 ) and of combining findings internationally rather than only nationally.

Species-Neutral Disease Surveillance. Species-neutral surveillance is defined as monitoring diseases of all animal species, including humans and domestic and wild animals, and communicating the findings throughout the health-care community. Animal health (more...)

• ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

Food-Producing Animals

Food-producing animals include all species of mammals and birds (including wildlife) that are raised in captivity or domestic conditions primarily as sources of human food. Research on infectious diseases and noninfectious health problems of metabolic or genetic origin in food-producing animals has been going on for many years, conducted by a combination of veterinary and nonveterinary medical scientists and animal scientists. Much of the knowledge of nutrition, metabolism, and nutritional deficiencies that applies to humans was discovered as a result of observations on animals. Although frank clinical symptoms of specific nutrient deficiencies are rare today in food-producing animals because of the extensive knowledge of nutrient requirements, research on food and feed is needed because it represents the largest cost associated with handling food-producing animals.

As genetic modifications in animals are made and metabolic manipulation is imposed through pharmaceuticals to enhance or focus production, it will be increasingly important to meet the nutrient needs of these “harder-working” animals. (Safety of genetically modified animals as food is discussed in the “ Public Health and Food Safety ” section above.) Historically, such efforts focused on diseases that affected single animals or individual herds or flocks and addressed issues associated with production, such as reproductive diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and mammary gland infections; but zoonotic diseases, such as tuberculosis and brucellosis, and their eradication were also of great concern. New information, vaccines, and technologies have led to continued advances in understanding and improved early detection, prevention, control, and eradication. The success of that work has helped the United States to become the largest source of food-producing animals. Such contemporary issues as the increasingly important subject of zoonotic diseases have shown the need for new approaches to ensuring the health and well-being of food animals. Food-animal production is often near areas occupied by wildlife or other domestic species (such as companion animals), which can contribute to the transmission of zoonotic or other diseases. This is a complex issue that requires expertise in comparative medicine and epidemiology. (See also the sections in this chapter on “ Animal Health and Welfare ” under subsection “ Wildlife and Conservation ” and on “ Emerging Issues ” under subsection and “ Emerging Infectious Diseases ” for discussions of zoonotic disease transmission.)

Examples of the importance attached to those needs are found in recent documents published by the National Research Council ( NRC 2002b ). Emerging animal diseases and their effect on markets and the economy and on global animal and human health and safety have been addressed, with emphasis on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), (the international concerns of the time), each of which had an enormous economic impact. The cost of BSE in the United Kingdom in direct compensation was reported to be in billions of US dollars in 2002 ( NRC 2003b ), and there were substantial additional effects in international markets. The cost to North American cattle markets has been estimated at $3 to $5 billion. To add to the seriousness of the BSE and general prion issues, it has recently been reported that some people may act as subclinical carriers of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) ( Carrell 2004 ; Head and Ironside 2005 ); that BSE has been naturally transmitted to goats ( Anon. 2005 ) and an array of zoo animals, including kudus, antelopes, and cheetahs ( Kirkwood and Cunningham, 1994 ); and that in naturally infected captive greater kudu, BSE prions have an unprecedented wide distribution throughout tissues ( Cunningham et al., 2004 ). The reports suggest that the impact of vCJD may be difficult to predict, that the potential host range for the BSE prion is very wide, and that transmission to humans or other animals through novel pathways is possible. In the case of FMD, a disease not known to be transmitted to humans (and thus primarily an issue of animal health and economics), the estimated cost in the United Kingdom in 2001 has been set at $30 billion ( NRC 2003b ).

• Development of capacity and implementation of broad programs in comparative medicine to understand, rapidly detect, and control zoonotic and nonzoonotic diseases in food-producing animals raised in concentrated production units, with emphasis on techniques and technologies for field use in large animal populations.
• Evaluation of the implications of increases in productivity achieved through genetic or pharmaceutical means for animal health, nutrient, and metabolic requirements.
• Monitoring and assessment of trans-species disease transmission, epidemiology, and the delineation of resistance, susceptibility, and virulence factors across animals and pathogenic organisms.

A thorough understanding of diseases in food animals would improve our ability to detect diseases rapidly and control them effectively. Otherwise, the food-producing animal system will continue to be vulnerable to disease outbreaks with major consequences for animal health and the economy. Failure to address the issues above noted will erode the ability of the food-animal industries of the United States to be globally competitive and economically viable and will subject them to the potential devastation created by natural or human-made biodisasters. A critical issue on the global level is the understanding, detection, and control of the various diseases that are associated with prions (such as BSE and CJD).

Aquaculture

For the purposes of this report, aquaculture is defined as the farming of aquatic animals including finfish (such as salmon and catfish) and shellfish (such as clams, mussels, and shrimp). Freshwater catfish production dominates aquaculture in the United States and generates about $1 billion per year. Marine aquaculture—involving primarily salmon, clams, and shrimp—represents about one-third of aquaculture production by weight. From 1989 to 1998, there were marked increases in the aquaculture production of catfish (by 40%), salmon (468%), clams (379%), and shrimp (193%) ( Goldburg et al., 2001 ).

Aquaculture has only recently involved veterinary research. Increases in the quantity and economic importance of farmed species and in intensive production practices, have led to a rising need for disease detection, treatment, and prevention. Veterinary researchers have contributed substantially to the identification and characterization of important aquaculture diseases, such as infectious salmon anemia ( Kibenge, et al., 2004 ). In addition, scientists of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine have been conducting studies on the effectiveness of treatment of fungal infection and internal parasites in fish ( FDA 2003 ).

• Improved understanding of immune responses (especially cell-mediated) in fish to facilitate the development of effective vaccines and appropriate delivery systems.
• Improved methods of pathogen detection.
• Increased effectiveness and safety of medications used to treat diseases in aquaculture species.
• Enhanced understanding of the impact of aquatic animal production systems on marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Lack of effective disease identification, prevention, and control strategies (for example, efficacious vaccines) in aquaculture species results in the overuse of antibiotics and chemicals. Overuse leads to economic losses (for example, high mortality in fish production facilities), human health hazards (for example, compromised food safety because of drug or pollutant residues and zoonotic pathogens) ( Benbrook, 2002 ), and adverse environmental effects (for example, antimicrobial and pesticide use, and transmission of disease to wild populations).

Companion Animals

Over the last several decades, veterinarians and animal scientists have contributed to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of disease and to the understanding of companion-animal welfare and the human-animal bond ( Badylak et al., 1998 ; Dodds, 1995a , b ; Lawrence, 1994 ; Ostrander et al., 1993 ; Parker et al., 2004 ; Patterson et al., 1988 ; Smith, 1994 ). Advances in companion-animal research have led to markedly increased expectations for animal and human medical services ( Lawrence, 1994 ; Eyre et al., 2004 ). The breadth and sophistication of veterinary diagnostic and treatment methods have increased the need for timely high-quality research ( Boothe and Slater, 1995 ; Smith, 1994 ; Dodds, 1995a ).

Research involving companion animals has been conducted by many investigators at a wide array of institutions and organizations. Companion animal-research has typically been in three categories: research on the diseases or conditions of companion animals for their direct benefit, research on diseases of comparative medical or pathological significance that provides direct benefits to companion animals and indirect benefits to humans, and research on basic physiological, pharmacological, molecular, or pathological processes that primarily benefits humans but benefits companion animals indirectly. (See section on Comparative Medicine for details on animal models for biomedical research.) Basic-science researchers, pathologists, and clinicians have all made useful contributions to companion-animal research.

The scope of companion-animal research has increased considerably over the last several decades. There are still important disease-related problems in most of the traditional medical disciplines (for example, pharmacology, immunology, pathology, internal medicine, orthopedics, cardiology, oncology, and ophthalmology), but attention is increasingly directed at emerging matters related to animal welfare (such as quality-of-life determination and animal abuse), animal-shelter medicine and control of unowned and feral animal populations, the human-animal bond (including the role of service animals), complementary medicine, and the cause and treatment of behavioral disorders.

Companion animals play important roles in service work, not only in assisting people with special needs but also in herding, search and rescue, drug and chemical detection, police and military assistance, and hunting and retrieving. Research into the behavioral and training needs of this special group of companion animals will increase their quality of life and enhance their performance as assistants, protectors, and life-savers.

Horses have historically been used as companion animals and performance. Therefore, equine research has been directed primarily at improving overall health and soundness by developing diagnostic screening tests for heritable traits and studying the causes of common debilitating diseases, such as laminitis (founder) and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Of specific importance to the viability of some horse breeds is the need to restrict breeding of horses that carry deleterious genetic traits. For example, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in quarterhorses can be traced to one famous foundation sire, combined immunodeficiency of Arabians is traceable to a particular group of animals, and the lethal white gene of paint foals is produced by matings of the overo-to-overo color pattern.

Companion-animal research improved the health of animals and humans by the enhanced control of infectious diseases through vaccines (such as distemper, parvovirus, and rabies), development of pharmaceutical agents, and the study of disease processes (such as retroviral disease; comparative hematology, immunology, and oncology; and animal models of human disease).

Epidemiological studies of animal populations historically have been directed primarily to public health and control of infectious diseases. More recently, comparative epidemiologists and geneticists have turned their attention to studying populations of related animals to identify biochemical markers that can be used in screening for genetic diseases and to performing health surveys to more accurately describe the health problems affecting the population as a whole. The goals have been to learn more about diseases and to reduce the number of affected and carrier animals ( Dodds, 1995b ; Patterson et al., 1988 ; Smith, 1994 ). The widely appreciated screening programs include those for hip and elbow dysplasia; inherited blood, cardiac, thyroid, and eye diseases; and congenital deafness. Many infectious agents can be transmitted to humans from companion animals (for example, Toxoplasma gondii ) and some organisms have the potential for bi-directional transmission (for example, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ) ( Weese, 2005 ). The proximity of humans and their companion animals increases the need to understand diseases that may be passed between them.

• Preventive-medicine and wellness strategies—vaccination and other means to control infectious disease, appropriate nutrition, methods or strategies for disease monitoring, and better methods for diagnosing and treating behavioral disorders.
• Improved understanding of and treatment for geriatric and immune disorders—such as cancer, organ failure, arthritis, and immune-mediated disease.
• Rapid and minimally invasive diagnostic methods.
• Randomized controlled clinical trials (of sufficient power to detect clinically significant differences) to address many long-standing diagnostic and treatment questions.
• Concentrated efforts in reproductive efficiency and orthopedic issues of performance animals.
• Improved understanding of the ecology of microbial organisms that may be transmitted to humans from companion animals and vice versa.

Failure to address issues involving companion-animal health and well-being will result in substantial morbidity and mortality in companion-animal populations; adversely affect the psychological well-being of their owners and the family and social framework; and delay or prevent advances in pharmaceutical and biologics development and in the understanding and treatment of many important human and animal diseases.

Companion-animal health research will improve the length and quality of life for companion animals, which in turn will have favorable effects on their caregivers. Such research will also provide valuable comparative-disease information that will benefit human and animal health.

Laboratory Animals

Laboratory animals are integral to our understanding of basic biology and physiology and have contributed to the discovery and development of virtually every human and animal health product and technique used in contemporary medical practice. The sophisticated specialty of laboratory animal medicine has evolved over the years to provide expertise in the breeding, management, and humane care of research animals and expertise in experimental design and methodology. Laboratory animal veterinarians have also provided leadership in developing national standards for laboratory animal care, use, facilities, and housing.

Some valid nonanimal alternatives have been developed for research, testing, and education, but the advancement of biological and medical knowledge will continue to depend on whole-animal models (primarily rats and mice) which represent the complex interactions between organ systems. Moreover, recent advances in genomics and proteomics will probably require an increase in the number of animals used in research (Lancet, 2004). Recent predictions ( NRC, 2003b ) suggest that the number of mice used in research in the United States will increase by 10-20% a year from 2000 and 2010. If this is true, more than 200 million mice and rats will be used each year in the United States by the end of this decade. As the number of animals used in research increases, the demand for high quality, well-defined animal models is likely to intensify. To meet that need, additional research and new methods to ensure animal health and well-being are required.

The credibility of the data generated from animal research depends in large part on the quality of laboratory animals with regard to their health status and genetic integrity, the quality of their environment and care, and how they are handled. Reproducible research requires that animal subjects be maintained in a stable environment to minimize experimental variables. For more than 50 years, the need for reliable experimental animal models has driven advances in their health quality and care. However, naturally occurring viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections continue to be detected in institutional rodent colonies throughout the United States. The adverse effect of such infectious diseases on the quality of research is well established. For example, mouse parvovirus infection affects the immune system and therefore may confound studies involving immune system functions ( McKisic et al., 1993 , 1996 ). The presence of Helicobacter species in the intestinal flora of laboratory mice may influence the research in pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disease ( Sadlak et al., 1993 ; Kullberg et al., 2003 ). Infections often lead to disruption of the research process until the disease is eradicated from the rodent colony. Better methods for preventing the introduction of pathogens and the development of more specific and sensitive methods of disease detection are required to minimize the potential for variables and to ensure the validity of research data.

Relatively few published, peer-reviewed scientific studies support or refute the effects of cage or pen size or environmental enrichment on animal well-being. Few research studies have addressed the optimal frequency of cage changes or pen sanitation. Even the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals , on which most of the housing standards and sanitation practices used in contemporary animal facilities are based, acknowledges that research on laboratory animal management continues to generate scientific information that should be used in evaluating performance and engineering standards. It also recognizes that for some issues, insufficient information is available and continued research into improved methods of animal care and use is needed. Research into those factors, the effects of noise levels and frequency, and optimal environmental temperature and humidity at the cage or pen level is needed for different species and strains.

In accordance with the Public Health Service policy on the Care and Utilization of Vertebrate Animals used in Testing, Research, and Training, appropriate animal care and use includes the “avoidance or minimization of discomfort, distress, and pain when consistent with sound scientific practices.” Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress should be performed with “appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia,” and “animals that would otherwise suffer severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved should be painlessly killed at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate, during the procedure.” The assessment and management of pain and distress are often based on the laboratory animal veterinarian's training, knowledge, judgment, and experience with the various laboratory species. However, much of what we know about animal pain is extrapolated from human requirements, which may not be appropriate for all species or for individual animals. Studies are needed to assess and manage pain and distress in laboratory animals and to provide guidance for humane end points for animal-research protocols.

Although the use of whole-animal models is expected to increase in the foreseeable future, development of valid alternatives should be included among the scientific community's long-term goals. USDA regulations and Public Health Service (PHS) policy require scientists to consider alternatives, including reduction in the number of animal used, to refine techniques to prevent or minimize pain or distress, or to use in vitro methods before initiating an animal-research protocol. Several federal regulatory and research agencies, under the auspices of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods and the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, are working on the development, validation, acceptance, and national and international harmonization of toxicity testing methods.

• Prevention, detection, and management of laboratory animal diseases.
• Laboratory animal management standards and practices—including the identification of optimal cage and pen sizes, environmental enrichment, sanitation, noise, and temperature and humidity—based on research data.
• Assessment and management of pain and distress.

Valid alternatives to reduce, refine, or replace animal testing.

Additional research on infectious diseases is needed to understand how they affect the quality of research data and to guide disease management. Gaps in our knowledge of laboratory animal care and housing requirements must also be addressed through sound scientific research and should be used to develop and implement standards of care. To enhance animal welfare, studies are needed to identify optimal methods for pain assessment and management and test systems that reduce, refine, or replace the use of animals.

Wildlife and Conservation

Wildlife diseases have three important implications for society. First, anthropogenic activities continue to bring humans closer to wildlife so transmission of zoonotic diseases from wildlife to humans and domestic animals or vice versa is of increasing concern. Second, wildlife populations are increasingly at risk for diseases that cause severe population declines, which in turn may affect ecosystem health. (See section on “ Emerging Issues ” in this chapter.) Third, harvested wildlife is culturally and economically important in many regions of the United States, and captive wild animals in zoological collections are invaluable national assets for education, conservation, and our cultural understanding of wildlife.

Veterinary researchers' involvement in wildlife biology originally stemmed from the need to support the health of hunted or captive wildlife. More recently, veterinary researchers have been active in studying diseases that affect endangered species in the wild and developing techniques to treat and control the spread of disease in wildlife populations. Veterinary researchers in wildlife diseases have contributed to our understanding of and management of disease effects on wild and captive populations—for example, brucellosis in bison, tuberculosis transmission between deer and cattle populations in the upper Midwest, and Mannheimia sp. transmission from domestic sheep and goats to bighorn sheep.

Wildlife diseases can have important consequences for our economy. For example, chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a spongiform encephalopathy similar to BSE, which emerged in the United Kingdom and cost over $100 billion in lost cattle production and outbreak control ( NRC 2002b ). CWD was seen first in the late 1960s in captive mule deer and then in the 1980s in free-ranging deer and elk in northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. Confirmed cases have been found in at least eight more states, including Wisconsin and New Mexico. In 2002, Wisconsin reported first cases of CWD in deer ( Wisconsin DNR, 2002 ). The economic costs of CWD are due largely to depopulation, loss of hunting-license revenue, and huge efforts by affected and unaffected states in surveillance monitoring and diagnostics. CWD cost Wisconsin $10 million and Colorado $19 million in 2002 alone ( Bishop, 2002 ).

The importance of veterinary research to hunted wildlife species has led to increased veterinary research activities in state and federal agencies. USDA, under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, conducts veterinary research on wildlife species in its Veterinary Services section and its Wildlife Services section. The US Fish and Wildlife Service undertakes a number of wildlife veterinary research activities as part of its mission. In 1975, the US Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center was set up to assess the effects of disease on wildlife with particular reference to wildlife losses, especially on federal land, of migratory species or federally listed endangered species.

Over the last few decades, many of those agencies have begun to shift their agendas to veterinary research on nongame wildlife. The shift has occurred in response to outbreaks of infectious disease that have become widely recognized by scientists and the public as threats to survival of wildlife species ( Box 2-3 ). The conservation effect of wildlife diseases has been highlighted in a series of mass deaths ( Daszak et al., 1999 , 2003 ), some of which were linked to species extinction ( Daszak et al, 2000 ). Infectious diseases and the ecological factors that cause them to emerge are a threat to the conservation of biodiversity.

Examples of Wildlife Disease Outbreaks. Canine distemper in black-footed ferrets and plague in their prairie dog prey base. Chytridiomycosis, a newly discovered fungal diseases that led to widespread decline in amphibians.

The shift of veterinary research away from hunted species was a response to the effects of pollution on wildlife or of illness with unknown etiologies. For example, amphibians have undergone severe population declines in some regions, including in parts of the Rocky Mountains and other regions of the United States. The discovery of a fungal disease responsible for amphibian population declines highlights a role for veterinary researchers in understanding such phenomena ( Berger et al, 1998 ). The causative fungal disease is now recognized as a major threat for global amphibian extinction ( Green and Sherman, 2001 ).

In addition to conservation, veterinary researchers can play a role preventing transmission of wildlife diseases between agricultural and other animal species. Brucellosis in bison in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem poses a risk to ranched cattle, and recent canine distemper viral infections in more than 100 domestic dogs, raccoons, and zoo animals in the Chicago area have been attributed to an initial outbreak in raccoons ( Lednicky et al., 2004 ; R.D. Schultz, personal communication, December 3, 2004).

Besides free-ranging wildlife, captive wildlife in zoos also provide opportunities to examine the important interfaces among domestic animals, free-ranging wildlife, and humans. Historically, studies of animals in zoological collections have yielded important discoveries and advances in animal and human medicine. For example, spontaneously occurring hepatitis in woodchucks was used to further the understanding of the pathogenesis of a form of hepatitis in humans, and the appreciation of the importance of dietary estrogens in wild and domestic animals has been enhanced by studies in zoos. A group of novel molecules important in local defense against microbial invasion were discovered first by studies of captive frogs.

Zoos are increasingly concerned with in situ management and conservation of wild species and their habitats. Many large zoos in the United States have veterinary clinicians on staff, and some have teams of veterinarians and veterinary researchers that study diseases and reproduction in captive and wild animals. Notable discoveries made by zoo veterinary researchers include the discovery that herpes viruses that are benign in Asian elephants can be lethal to African elephants when the two coexist in zoos (work conducted at the US National Zoological Park) and the first demonstrated case of a pathogen's causing extinction of a Partula snail species (at the Zoological Society of London).

A number of zoos now have extensive research programs on wildlife diseases outside their collections, both at home and abroad. They include research on the use of bushmeat, the origins of some zoonoses and socioeconomic connections between human and wildlife health (Wildlife Conservation Society), formation of interinstitutional partnerships to link wildlife and public health (Brookfield Zoo), and avian health studies in the Galapagos (St. Louis Zoo).

A group of institutions related to zoos is wildlife-rehabilitation centers that take in native wildlife to help foster their recovery and release into their native habitats. Rehabilitation centers sometimes use veterinary researchers and clinicians to manage the health of the wildlife populations in their care. Wildlife rehabilitation centers also conduct research on free-ranging wildlife populations. For example, the Marine Mammal Center in California has published key papers on domoic acid poisoning of free-living marine mammals, and the Wildlife Center of Virginia has led research on aural abscessation of native turtles.

Events such as the emergence of West Nile virus and monkeypox and bioterrorism incidents involving zoonotic agents have focused attention on zoos and wildlife-rehabilitation centers. West Nile virus first came to public attention in the United States in 1999, but the virus clearly had been found in captive birds at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York during the early stages of the outbreak in wild birds and probably before it was found in humans ( Lanciotti et al, 1999 ). Thus, wildlife or captive wild species can act as sentinels for emerging diseases or even bioterrorism agents. Efforts to form networks of zoo veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators to develop such sentinel capacity are under way (for example, the West Nile virus surveillance program led by Lincoln Park Zoo, which includes the Wildlife Center of Virginia and other rehabilitation centers).

• Research on the risk of transmission of zoonotic and other emerging diseases between wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans.
• Research on wildlife diseases that affect both game and nongame species.
• Assessment of the mechanisms for disease introduction and spread in the United States via trade or natural movement of wildlife populations.
• Research to establish diagnostic criteria and protocols, and to validate and standardize protocols.
• Development of improved tools for detection and controlling diseases in free-ranging wildlife populations.
• Research on conservation including comparative reproduction, assisted reproduction, contraception, habitat restoration and protection, and on reintroduction of captive wildlife.
• Comparative pharmacology and nutrition, including the study of improved anesthetics, antimicrobials, and vaccines.

Wildlife research can reduce the economic impact on states substantially by preventing the spread of diseases in hunted or game species (for example, CWD) and the transmission of wildlife diseases to agricultural animals and humans. Such research can also contribute to the prevention of emerging zoonotic diseases. The veterinary research outlined must be accomplished to prevent population declines in wildlife species that are of interest for ecological balance, recreation, tourism, or conservation and to prevent the emergence of potentially serious pathogens in humans. Veterinary research in zoos is critical to conservation of endangered wildlife, providing unique insights into disease processes in captive animals that can be extrapolated to free-living wild populations.

• COMPARATIVE MEDICINE

Animal Modeling

Animal models for human diseases.

Research on animal models has been essential to our understanding of basic and applied sciences and has led to important improvements in the management of human and animal diseases ( NRC, 2004a ; see Box 2-4 for medical advances achieved through animal research). Over the last 50 years, the study of naturally occurring or induced animal models of human disease has led to tremendous growth of knowledge in many disciplines—including hematology, immunology, vaccinology, virology, and genetics—and has contributed to new fields of research, such as transplantation and gene therapy ( Badylak et al., 1998 ; Dodds, 1995a , b ; Ostrander et al 1993 ; Parker et al., 2004 ; Patterson et al., 1988 , Smith, 1994 ).

Medical Advances Achieved Through Animal Research. 1790 Vaccine for smallpox developed (cow) 1880 Vaccine for anthrax developed (sheep)

Over 90% of the animals used in biomedical research are mice and rats. However, many other animal models have been used to study human and animal diseases. For example, the field of comparative immunology deals with many aspects of immunological function, which includes not only the clinical disorders, such as systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases and primary and secondary immune deficiency states, but also understanding of host-parasite interactions and the immunological effects of genetics, nutrition, and toxicity on disease expression ( Perryman, 2004 ; Tizzard and Schubot, 2000 ). Swine have been used in atherosclerosis and hemostasis research ( Bowie and Dodds, 1976 ; Dodds, 1982 , 1987 ; Edwards et al., 1985 ). Pregnancy immunology is studied in ruminants to investigate embryonic survival, fetal growth, and uterine defense mechanisms; and artificial-organ and organ-xenograft research, development, and testing have used and continue to use sheep, cattle, and goats ( Chiang et al., 1994 ; Dodds, 1987 ; Lewis and Carraway, 1992 ; Martini et al., 2001 ). Nonhuman-primate research has long played a key role in comparative research on atherosclerosis, respiratory disease, retroviral diseases, infectious hepatitis, and aging ( Clarkson et al., 1996 ; McClellan, 2000 ; NRC, 1997 ).

Animal Models for Animal Diseases

Information generated by animal-based experiments has been used primarily to benefit human health and well-being, but parallel benefits have been accorded to animals ( Dodds, 1995a ; Wagner, 1992 ); for example, with respect to inherited bleeding disorders ( Dodds, 1995b ), congenital cardiac disease and inborn errors of metabolism ( Patterson et al., 1988 ), neuromuscular and copper-storage disorders (Brewer et al., 1992), and inherited eye diseases ( Smith, 1994 ). These basic and comparative medical advances have improved diagnosis and treatment in clinical veterinary medicine.

Emerging Areas of Research in Comparative Medicine

Molecular markers for research and clinical applications.

For 4 decades, veterinary and comparative geneticists have developed and relied on biochemical markers of specific genetic traits to identify carrier and affected animals can be used as models of human disease ( Patterson et al., 1988 ; Dodds, 1995a , b ; Dodds and Womack, 1997 ). More recently, molecular approaches have been developed used to study gene-therapeutic approaches for advancing human health and well-being ( Ostrander et al., 1993 ). Examples of diseases that commonly affect humans and companion animals and lend themselves to molecular and gene therapy are autoimmune thyroid disease ( Happ, 1995 ), such inherited bleeding disorders as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease ( Dodds, 1995b ; Kay et al., 1993 ), and organ-specific autoimmune disease ( Ford, 2001 ; Schultz, 1999 ). Future technological developments, particularly in gene delivery and cell transplantation, will be critical for the successful practice of gene therapy ( Dodds and Womack, 1997 ).

Animal Genome and Phenome Research

Substantial advances have been made in sequencing the genomes of humans and other mammalian species. Large-scale genome-sequencing projects have focused on completing the sequencing of the genome of the human ( Freimer and Sabatti, 2003 ), the chimpanzee, the dog ( Parker et al., 2004 ), the cow ( Gibbs, et al., 2002 ), the mouse, the rat and the chicken, several insects, nematodes, fungi, yeast, and bacteria ( AVMA, 2004a ). In the near future, scientists will begin to sequence the genomes of nine more mammals, including the domestic cat, the guinea pig, the rabbit, the orangutan, and the elephant ( AVMA, 2004a ).

Interest in the human and canine genomes has spawned related research in “phenomics” to identify specific genotypes that are associated with the species phenotype. The purpose of the human, mouse, and canine phenome projects is to learn about both genetic and nongenetic factors that contribute to the variability of the species ( Bogue, 2003 ; Freimer and Sabatti, 2003 ; Grubb et al., 2004 ; Pletcher et al., 2004). For example, dog research will focus on the phenotypic characteristics that distinguish one breed from another and that distinguish one animal from another in the same breed. Size, anatomy and appearance, composition and metabolism, behavior and temperament, and disease susceptibility will be investigated.

Effective Animal Models to Establish Safety and Efficacy of Therapeutic Compounds

The challenge today is to develop better treatments for the many serious diseases that afflict human and animal populations. FDA's Critical Path Initiative focuses on targeted scientific efforts to modernize methods to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products as they move from product selection and design to mass manufacture. Critical-path research complements basic research, but results in the creation of new tools for product development. Medical-product development starts with basic research that leads to discovery and prototype design and then proceeds to preclinical trials in animal models to test for efficacy and finally clinical trials and FDA approval. The costs of that process are increasing rapidly, but the failure rate of candidate drugs in clinical development has increased. Extensive use of computer modeling (“silicotechnology”) could improve predictability, shorten time for drug development, and reduce the overall cost of drug development by as much as 50%. Improved data-mining efforts to combine in vitro and in vivo animal studies with human clinical outcomes (while protecting proprietary data effectively) could form the basis of useful predictive safety models.

Animal models have been informative for efficacy and safety studies of new lead compounds and therapeutics, but improvements are still needed. Further characterization of existing and newly developed disease models in rodents and other laboratory animal species will lead to better validation of potential therapeutic disease targets and analysis and understanding of disease pathways in animal models ( Kinkler, 2004 ).

Stem-Cell Research

The goal of stem-cell research is to engineer cell lines for use in tissue, organ, or cell transplantation or for gene therapy for treatment of diseases ( NIH, 2004 ). The future of regenerative medicine depends on further exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of adult and embryonic human and mouse stem cells ( NRC, 2002c ).

Stem-cell transplantation has been effective in treating diseases in animal models. However, although effective outcomes of stem-cell transplantation have been obtained—for example, in neurodegenerative diseases—the underlying mechanisms leading to re-establishment of neurological function are still unclear. Such mechanisms as stem-cell promotion of growth-factor release, cell fusion, and transdifferentiation are some explanations of the favorable outcomes. Additional work with animal models of disease will result in a better understanding of the mechanisms of stem-cell therapies.

Genetically Engineered Animals

The capacity to manipulate the DNA of mammals by adding or deleting specific genes has made the laboratory mouse a robust tool for advancing biomedical research. Genetic engineering has substantially increased the number of mutant strains available compared with induced-mutagenesis methods, such as N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis. For example, genetically engineered mouse models have advanced the understanding of such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neuron disease ( Wong et al., 2002 ).

Transgenic sheep and goats express foreign proteins in their milk that may be used to treat such genetic defects as human and canine hemophilia. Transgenic pigs may serve as a source of organs for transplantation into humans (xeno-transplantation). Further development of transgenic animals will permit investigations that will eludicidate the cellular components of tissue remodeling that are essential to regenerative medicine.

Advanced Surgical Techniques (Microsurgery) and Biomedical Devices

Research in advanced surgical techniques includes the development of the skills needed for microvascular, microneural, and microtubular surgery, which are used in plastic and orthopedic surgery, urology, general surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, and cardiothoracic surgery. Training courses typically use rabbits and rats as experimental models. A research model of arterial thrombosis that mimics human vascular thrombosis (for example, coronary arterial occlusion) has been used extensively by investigators interested in the development of thrombolytic agents, particularly urokinase and tissue plasminogen activators, for human use ( Badylak et al, 1998 ). A biomaterial derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa was developed from a throw-away product of the pork industry; this “bioscaffold” material has been used in a variety of animal models and in human patients for repair, replacement, and reconstruction of the esophagus, dura mater, lower urinary tract, acutely and chronically injured skin, and the cardiovascular system (Badylak et al, 2000).

Vaccine-Related Research

Understanding of basic immune mechanisms in laboratory animals has made it possible to design vaccines that protect against infectious diseases, to induce effective responses to tumor antigens, and to control graft rejection and autoimmune diseases ( Tizard, 1990 ; Lanzavecchia, 1993 ). However, there is an emerging need for new approaches to protect against immunological and infectious challenges ( Cohen, 1994 ) and to understand adverse reactions to vaccines in humans and animals ( Oehen et al., 1991 ; Paul et al., 2003 ; Schultz, 1999 ; Scott-Moncreieff et al., 2002 ; Tizard, 1990 ; Vascellari et al., 2003 ).

• Advanced training of comparative-medicine scientists to support and facilitate biomedical research, with emphasis on expertise in phenotype and behavior assessment of unique rodent strains.
• Further development and refinement of animal models to advance biomedical research.
• Expansion of resources and methods for characterizing the genetic background, phenotype, and behavior of unique mouse and rat strains.
• Enhanced methods for preserving valuable models and improving the reproductive efficiency of laboratory animals.
• Improved methods for genetic engineering in laboratory animal species other than the mouse to advance understanding of select diseases.

Research in comparative medicine is critical to the advancement of biomedical research, which will lead to improvements in human and animal health. Comparative-medicine research contributes to the improved quality of laboratory animals and the quality of research that uses them.

• EMERGING ISSUES IN VETERINARY SCIENCE

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) have become recognized as one of the most important threats to public health over the last 30 years ( Binder et al., 1999 ; IOM, 1992 ; NRC, 2003b ). Emerging diseases are those which have recently expanded in geographic range, moved from one host species to another, increased in impact or severity, or undergone a change in pathogenesis, or were caused by recently evolved pathogens (other definitions are available in IOM, 1992 ). Combating emerging diseases is a key goal of public-health efforts nationally and globally, and it is hindered by poor knowledge of potential emerging zoonoses— for example, diseases caused by wildlife parasites, viruses, and other microorganisms that move into humans ( Morse, 1993 ).

The reason emerging diseases (most of which are zoonotic) require and attract so much attention is that they are usually complex and not well understood, are not susceptible to rapid diagnostic or detection methods, and usually not subject to vaccines, other therapeutics, or readily applied prevention programs. Of the 175 organisms considered to be pathogenic in humans and commonly cited as emerging, 132, or 75% are zoonotic ( Taylor et al., 2001 ). The emergence of new diseases, such as SARS, has been linked to increased contact between humans and the animals carrying the diseases. The spread of H5N1 avian influenza virus in Asia that infected domestic poultry, swine, cats, wild birds (pigeons and crows), and humans is related to changes in agricultural practices of livestock industries. Animals are also carriers of many insect-transmitted pathogens. When the uncertainties associated with transmission from one species to another are added to the ever-increasing mobility of society, the potential interface between those conditions and human food safety, and the heightened concerns about possible effect of bioterrorism on animals (intentional introduction of an animal disease with the intention of causing economic consequences or transmission of disease to humans), the urgency of comprehensive research and implementation becomes obvious.

Veterinary researchers are employed in a number of capacities in EID research. Because of the predominance of zoonotic pathogens in EID outbreaks, veterinarians have been key parts of the teams attempting to identify wildlife reservoirs of hantavirus, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, leptospirosis, Lassa fever, Ebola virus, Nipah virus, Hendra virus, and others. Veterinarians with epidemiological training have been involved in most of the major outbreak investigations undertaken by CDC.

Outbreaks of new zoonotic agents occur almost every year, and they have serious health and economic consequences. For instance, SARS coronavirus, which appears to have wildlife origins, caused over 700 deaths and $50 billion in losses to the global economy in 2003 ( Guan et al., 2003 ; Rota et al., 2003 ). The zoonotic predominance among EIDs suggests a growing need for veterinary researchers to understand dynamics of wildlife pathogens that have emerged or are likely to emerge into human populations (for example, West Nile virus and viruses related to SARS coronavirus or Nipah virus). The ability of these emerging pathogens to spread rapidly across the planet is enhanced by a large and increasing volume of trade in wildlife species that can act as introduction vectors. For example, monkeypox was imported into Wisconsin through the exotic-pet trade industry.

The scope of EID research has been widened to include emerging diseases of marine and terrestrial wildlife and domestic animals ( Anon, 1998 ; Daszak et al., 2000 ; Dobson and Foufopoulos, 2001 ; Harvell et al., 1999 ; Nettles, 1996 ). EIDs are responsible for population declines and mass mortality of wildlife ( Daszak et al., 2000 ), loss of coral reefs and other marine resources globally ( Harvell et al, 1999 ), and threats to global food-animal markets ( NRC, 2002b ; see also section on food-producing animals ).

Veterinary involvement in EID research is critical. For example, BSE was originally discovered by veterinary pathologists, and the dynamics of its spread were understood by veterinary epidemiologists working with mathematical modelers, all before it emerged in the human population. In addition, veterinary institutes and veterinary medical researchers were critical in studying the pathogenesis of the 1918 human pandemic influenza virus in animal models to understand the molecular development and prevention of human influenza pandemics ( Kash et al., 2004 ; Tumpey et al., 2004 ). Understanding how environmental or population changes select for emergence of new zoonotic pathogens from the “zoonotic pool” ( Morse, 1993 ) is a goal discussed in both National Research Council reports on EIDs ( NRC, 2003b ). Useful models are a number of studies funded through the National Institutes of Health/National Science Foundation initiative in ecology of infectious diseases ( NIH, 2002 ) and a recent study of retrovirus emergence in bush meat-hunters in west Africa ( Wolfe et al., 2004 ).

Examples of Critical Research Issues

• A preemptive approach to predict and prevent infectious diseases.
• New tools to identify novel, potentially zoonotic pathogens in wildlife populations that may be the next HIV/AIDS or SARS coronavirus. Such tools will include microarrays and other sophisticated biotechnological applications based on the pool of known zoonotic EIDs that wildlife populations harbor.
• Increased involvement of veterinary researchers in understanding the wildlife trade as a mechanism of EID introduction and in understanding how zoonotic bioterrorism agents may behave if released in the United States.
• The causes, anthropogenic, ecological and environmental drivers, and effects of emerging diseases of livestock and wildlife.

Veterinary research in EID would reduce human mortality due to new emerging diseases, help to prevent future outbreaks of unknown diseases, and help to prevent or deter the introduction and dissemination of pathogens into the United States. This research will also have important economic benefits in reducing public-health costs and disruption of trade and industry.

Ecosystem Health

The field of ecosystem health developed in Canada with the formation of the International Society for Ecosystem Health in 1994 and the launch of its journal Ecosystem Health (superseded by Ecohealth ). The field approaches health as a metaphor in that a healthy ecosystem is one with the full assemblage of species, each with healthy populations. Research in ecosystem health allows a more complete understanding of how disease organisms, toxicants, and health issues affect animal and human populations and the functioning of ecosystems. Ultimately, breakdown of ecosystem health leads to loss of ecosystem functions and affects human health and welfare through effects on agriculture, hunting, fishing and livestock production, and food animal safety.

Veterinary researchers have an important role to play in the advancement of ecosystem health and can contribute in numerous and diverse ways. For example, veterinary researchers have been involved in the characterization of a multispecies (human, companion animal, and marine mammal) outbreak of cryptococcosis ( Stephen et al., 2002 ), in identifying indicators of ecosystem health ( Stephen and Ribble, 2001 ), and in using ecosystem-health concepts for wildlife conservation (for example, Wildlife Conservation Society Field Veterinary Program). Understanding the effects or ecological footprint of terrestrial and aquatic animal agriculture on ecosystems and social systems and how sustainable practices can be developed is critical in both developed and developing nations ( Tilman et al, 2003 ).

• Definition of what constitutes a healthy ecosystem.
• Development of reliable and predictive indicators of ecosystem health.
• Characterization of the complex interaction between humans, domestic and wild animals, and the environment to predict risks to the health of these populations.
• Studies of the interaction between human and animal communities by multidisciplinary teams that include zoo veterinarians, ecologists and toxicologists, and public-policy experts to understand how human activities affect ecosystems and all their inhabitants, including humans.

Failure to address research in ecosystem health would lead to substantial and unpredictable risks (such as infectious disease, food safety, water-borne illness, toxins) to the health of humans and domestic and wild animals. Biodiversity in wild animal and plant populations would be at risk as a result of unhealthy and unsustainable ecosystems.

Social Policies, Societal Needs, and Expectations Including Animal Welfare

The care and use of research animals are governed by USDA regulations and PHS policy, which were implemented to address societal concerns about laboratory animal welfare. These regulations and standards include requirements for the oversight of animal research by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees and standards for laboratory animal husbandry, housing and enrichment, environmental conditions, and veterinary medical care. However, some of the standards are not supported by scientific analysis. In particular, studies that objectively define, measure, and validate the benefits of social housing and environmental enrichment are inadequate. In the absence of scientific studies that support animal care standards, arbitrary guidelines can lead to inappropriate care, cause undesirable changes in an animal's physiological or behavioral status, produce confounding research results, and unnecessarily increase the cost of animal research. It is imperative that the guidelines and recommendations be strongly supported by scientific study. (See subsection on Laboratory Animals under the Animal Health section.)

Although government standards have been established for laboratory animals, the management of food-producing animals is based largely on practices developed and implemented by animal scientists and food-animal producers. The science-based, objective literature on the impact of physical environment—such as space requirements and the impact of confinement or group housing—on food-producing animals is far from adequate and represents a major and critical area for future comprehensive research ( Mench, 1992 ; Fraser, 2003 ). Pressure from major users of animal food products (such as fast-food chains) is expected to advance the urgency of the need, but the expertise needed to achieve the needed results is lacking in the scientific community, although excellent progress is being made in animal handling and transportation, livestock behavior and facility design, and humane slaughter practices ( Grandin, 2000 ; see also http://www.grandin.com/ ). In addition, research is being conducted in Europe, notably the Netherlands, on the physical environments of pigs and poultry. Some common management practices—such as veal calf production; sow gestation crates; beak-dubbing and comb removal in chickens; and dehorning, castration, and branding of cattle—were developed to improve production or prevent injuries to other animals and humans, but have also raised public concerns about animal welfare. In addition, the effects of new products and technologies used to enhance animal production, including growth hormones and genetic modification, have caused some public concerns.

In addition to laboratory animals and food-producing animals, welfare is an important consideration for animals used for entertainment, racing, hunting, military and police activities, pet therapy, service (such as Eye Seeing dogs), recreation, and companionship. Science-based methods for measuring stress and distress and stress-related effects in animals are essential if substantial progress is to be made in ensuring the welfare of various species. Such efforts require complex multifaceted studies involving expertise in veterinary medicine, animal science, animal behavior, endocrinology, neurology, and pharmacology.

Scientifically based studies can and should be used to make sound public policy and to set responsible regulatory standards. For example, research data have demonstrated that commercially available rabies vaccines will protect dogs for at least 3 years and are therefore federally licensed for a 3-year duration. However, some individual states and counties have established regulations that require more frequent vaccination, despite research evidence that demonstrates the potential adverse effects of such practices. Rabies vaccination can produce tumors in dogs and cats at the injection site, cause serious neurological and immunological adverse effects and death in any species, and induce autoimmune thyroiditis in dogs ( Paul et al., 2003 ; Schultz, 1999 ; Scott-Moncrieff et al., 2002 ; Vascellari et al., 2003 ). Guidelines for canine and feline vaccination have also been developed by the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents and AAHA task force the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines, on the basis of evidence from veterinary research and published studies ( Elston et al., 1998 ; Klingborg, 2002; Paul et al., 2003 ).

Risk analysis is an important public-policy framework being used both nationally and internationally to make regulatory decisions regarding food safety and to formulate animal trade policies. Science-based risk assessments on the relation of specific pathogens or toxicants to animal and human health are a critical component of the risk analysis. Findings derived from research to identify and characterize hazards and assess exposures are the bases of modeling risk assessments. Sound risk assessments will require a wide array of research on the hazards of and exposure to diseases.

Valid scientific studies should also help to determine the outcome of legal decisions, which may otherwise be driven by emotionally based considerations. During the last decade, for example, several municipalities have adopted the term guardian instead of pet owner. Such changes may eventually lead to court challenges regarding the legal standing of animals and how they are used by society. In addition, many law schools have established centers that specialize in animal “rights”. Again, scientific evidence will be important to validate or refute legal challenges with respect to animals.

• Studies that objectively define, measure, and validate the benefits of social housing and environment enrichment.
• Science-based methods to measure stress and distress and stress-related effects in animals.
• Scientific analysis that uses quantifiable indicators to measure the effects of pharmaceutical agents and genetic modifications on animal welfare.
• Multidisciplinary studies of detection, control and prevention of large-scale zoonotic disease outbreaks that require disposal of large numbers of animals.

Additional research is required to determine the optimal care and use of animals and to support the development of sound public policies governing animal welfare. Research is also required to ensure best management practices of animals in the face of a widespread disaster involving animals and to protect human health.

Exotic and Caged Pets

Exotic and caged pets typically include birds, small mammals (such as ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils), reptiles (such as turtles, lizards, and snakes), and amphibians (such as frogs). Exotic-pet trade is a growing industry that is estimated to be worth more than $10 billion ( Kuehn, 2004a ). In the case of most species—such as reptiles, amphibians, marsupials, exotic birds, and mammals—little research has been done on their behavioral and husbandry needs. Many medical problems in exotic pets are related to poor husbandry ( Kuehn, 2004b ). In addition, limited information is available on the treatment of their diseases. Although the volume of information available on exotic and caged pets has increased considerably over the last few decades, most of it is anecdotal or derived from case reports, because most veterinarians involved with exotic pets provide clinical services and are not actively engaged in research.

The recent outbreak of monkeypox transmitted by prairie dogs that were housed or transported with African rodents from Ghana and the resurgence of salmonellosis contracted from reptiles (iguanas and turtles), marsupials (sugar gliders), and small mammals (hedgehogs) readily illustrate the potential risk that exotic-pet ownership poses ( Check, 2004 ; Gross, 2003 ; Woodward et al., 1997 ). There has been considerable growth in the demand for and ownership of exotic and caged pets ( Doolen, 1996 ; http://epw.senate.gov/hearing_statements.cfm?id2=212880 ). The demand is putting increasing pressure on veterinarians who treat exotic and caged animals to keep up with the highly species-specific needs of their patients.

• Characterization of the zoonotic pathogens capable of being carried by exotic species and also those pathogens that may be transmitted to domestic and wild animal populations.
• Improved methods of diagnosis and treatment of exotic animal diseases, especially in regards to safe and effective anesthetic and analgesic protocols.
• Determination of appropriate husbandry requirements for many exotic species.

Given the increasing number and diversity of exotic pets, veterinary research is necessary to identify important infectious diseases that may pose a risk of transmission to humans and domestic and wild animals. Research on the behavioral, husbandry, and medical needs of exotic pets is also necessary to enhance their quality of life and to contribute to the comparative understanding of diseases in other species.

This chapter illustrates that veterinary research is a diverse enterprise that involves many disciplines and species and has a substantial effect on human health and the economy. In many fields, veterinary research is about characterizing the health implications of changing relationships and the boundaries between species and their environments. The compelling but difficult question is, What is the most important? Although research priorities have been outlined in each area, the different areas of veterinary research were not prioritized against each other. Clearly, issues related to homeland security (such as biosecurity) and food safety stand out because of the potential for catastrophic effects on human and animal health. However, problems often arise from fields that have been overlooked (for example, exotic pets) and many important advances come from fields that may not be recognized by some as priorities so that a balanced approach to support research in the above areas must be sought. The key question regarding research priorities is not what topic should be investigated first, but how a strong and flexible national capacity for veterinary research can be built and maintained to maximize the contribution of veterinary research to the health and welfare of animals and people.

• Cite this Page National Research Council (US) Committee on the National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science . Critical Needs for Research in Veterinary Science. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2005. 2, Progress and Opportunities in Veterinary Research.
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VNJ Articles features research veterinary nurse

23 August 2022

Getting started with your veterinary nursing dissertation: what can I research? by Stephen C. Mansbridge and Louise A. Buckley

ABSTRACT : This article aimed to give student veterinary nurses undertaking an honours research project (HRP) some ideas for how they might identify a suitable topic to research. It started from the premise that the final-year honours degree dissertation project is an exciting opportunity for veterinary nursing students to contribute to the history of veterinary nursing through innovation in the discipline and thus should be embraced. A range of tips for topic identification were outlined, including finding a topic area, searching tips to get the student veterinary nurse started and prospects for building on previous student ideas and projects.

Stephen C. Mansbridge BSc (Hons), PhD, CBiol, MRSB, FHEA, R.Anim.Sci.

Stephen is an accredited animal scientist and senior lecturer in animal science and bioinformatics. He holds a PhD in pig gut health and nutrition, working both in academia and in industry to improve knowledge and applications for the animal and veterinary sectors.

Louise A. Buckley BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), PG Cert (TLHEP), PGDip, PhD, FHEA, RVN

Louise is an experienced RVN with research interests in animal behaviour and welfare. She has a PhD in poultry behaviour and divides her time between veterinary nursing, research and education-related activities. She is passionate about nurses engaging more with research.

Email: [email protected]

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 33 (07) • June 2018 pp175-177

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Veterinary Science: Research Projects Ideas

• Veterinary Science Home
• Career and College
• Sample APA Paper
• Copyright and Fair Use
• Monty Tech's Veterinary Science Program
• Research Projects Ideas

Research Paper Ideas

Use articles from current magazines (see Home page).

• Literature review (2-3 current trade articles about a topic).
• Case study (an examination of one person, group, or situation over time).
• Specialties in the trade (different career options).
• Study of a specific process, procedure, instrument, or method.
• History of the trade (general).
• Gender disparity in the trade.
• An examination of stereotypes in the trade.
• History of one topic in the trade.
• History or biography of a business (company) or person (past or present).
• An exploration of a “game changer” in your trade (invention or innovation).
• Future of the trade.
• Future of the career in the trade (salary, education, marketability, owning a business).
• Other topics.

Resume Writing Project

Resume and Cover Letter LibGuide

• Lesson and creation of resume
• Lesson and creation of cover letter
• Students will use/find a  company for a possible co-op  or find a  job  on  indeed.com  or other site.
• Attach both to a brief, professional email for a prospective job to your teacher and CC:   [email protected]
• Drafts will be corrected and returned to student.  Grading will be based on second (final) draft.

Resume rubric Cover letter and email rubric

Modes for Presenting Information and Learning

• Fill in a table with preloaded questions and a space for the source citation (worksheet).
• Traditional research paper (APA or MLA Style) with introduction, thesis, supporting paragraphs, conclusion, and sources.
• Write a review, an analysis, or different form of writing.
• Drawing (ex: "One Page" with handwritten explanations)
• Collage using photos and text
• Physical product related to shop with photographic evidence or video
• Brochure, game board, poster, three panel display board, or diorama
• Google Slides or Google Drawing
• Prezi (zooming online presentation)
• Canva (posters, business cards, resumes)
• StoryboardThat (comic strip)
• Genial.ly (timeline, interactive image, presentation, game)
• Video (present with visual aids, screencast, create a "how-to" video, FlipGrid)
• Kahoot, Quizlet, or Quizziz (students create a quiz to test the knowledge of other students)
• Write a news story, skit, poem, or song about your topic.
• Create a children's book to explain your topic.
• Make a movie with your cell phone and edit using iMovie, Magisto, Adobe Premiere Clip, or GoPro Splice.
• Write a letter to a real or fictional person.
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162 Best Animal Research Topics To Nail Your Paper In 2023

The world is filled with living things. There are some animals that we know about, some that we will discover, and there are many that we might never know about. All our knowledge about animals is mostly dependant on researchers. Well, we are rooting for you to be the next great researcher. Be it zoology, veterinary, or live wild stock, your study needs a research topic. If you’re looking for the best animal research topics to nail this year, we’re here with your help.

Table of Contents

Best Animal Research Topics

We have 162 Animal Research Topics that will help you get the best grades this year.

Physiology of Animals Research Topics

• Description of the knowledge required to work in animal physiology
• Study of animal species with different specialties in the sciences of nature and life
• Life sciences and socioeconomic impacts
• Neurulation appendages birds
• Exercises on gastrulation and neurulation
• Gastrulation amphibians birds
• Fertilization segmentation in the sea species
• Gametogenesis: A Detailed Introduction
• Study of Delimitation: bird appendages
• Particularities of the developmental biology of certain species
• Technical-commercial animal physiology
• Terrestrial and marine ecosystems
• Animal biology and forensic science: Is there a connection?
• Animal Biology Biotechnology and molecules of interest regarding food and industry
• The interest in biology in the diagnosis of animal and plant diseases
• Toxicology and environmental health concerns in animal physiology
• Animal and plant production
• Fundamentals of animal physiology research and analysis
• Behavior and evolution Genetics of behavior in animals
• Adaptation and evolution of behavior
• Comparative studies of general ecology, zoology, and animal physiology
• Study of animals about the conditions prevailing in their immediate environment
• Endocrine and neuroendocrine systems in animals
• Studying the nervous systems in birds
• Genitals and reproductive physiology of birds
• Understanding of the anatomical and functional particularities of invertebrates
• Biology and physiology of invertebrates
• Reconstruction of phylogenetic trees
• Morpho-anatomical arguments and the importance of fossils
• Argued classification of animals
• Study of the evolution of living organisms by making updates on recent advances in Animalia
• Phylogeny and animal evolution
• Principles of echolocation in the bats
• Possible evolution of the increase in complexity of the primitive nervous system
• The nervous system of the insect
• Circulation in animal physiology
• Animals without a differentiated circulatory system
• Water and mineral balance in animals
• Thermoregulation in animals
• Musculoskeletal system in animals
• Study of animal blood
• Biological rhythms of animals
• Skin and teguments of mammals
• Animal nutrition and metabolism
• Hormones and endocrine system of animals
• Emerging organic pollutants
• Mechanisms of toxicity in animals
• Animal physiology in animals from temperate regions
• Genetic correlations between animal species
• Animal communities, forest ecology, and forest birds
• Wildlife-habitat modeling

Looking for research topics in general? Read 402  General Research Paper Topics

Animal Research Topics For Student

• Impact of the agricultural raw materials crisis on the marketing of livestock feed
• Analysis of the competitiveness of poultry produced in the USA
• Animal cruelty in USA and European countries
• Seroprevalence of neosporosis in cattle herds
• The peri-urban dairy sector
• Effect of the liberalization of the veterinary profession on the vaccination coverage of livestock
• Why do people kill animals? The psyche behind animal cruelty
• Evaluation of the growth performance of three sheep breeds
• Study on the protection of terrestrial ecosystems
• Ecology of African dung beetles
• Effects of road infrastructure on wildlife in developing countries
• Analysis of the consequences of climate change related to pastoral livestock
• Strategies for management in the animal feed sector
• The feeding behavior of mosquitoes
• Bee learning and memory
• Immediate response to the animal cruelty
• Study of mass migration of land birds over the ocean
• A study of crocodile evolution
• The cockroach escape system
• The resistance of cockroaches against radiation: Myth or fact?
• Temperature regulation in the honey bee swarm
• Irresponsible dog breeding can often lead to an excess of stray dogs and animal cruelty
• Reliable communication signals in birds

Also see:  How to Write an 8 Page Research Paper ?

Animal Research Topics For University

• Color patterns of moths and moths
• Mimicry in the sexual signals of fireflies
• Ecophysiology of the garter snake
• Memory, dreams regarding cat neurology
• Spatiotemporal variation in the composition of animal communities
• Detection of prey in the sand scorpion
• Internal rhythms in bird migration
• Genealogy: Giant Panda
• Animal dissection: Severe type of animal cruelty and a huge blow to animal rights
• Cuckoo coevolution and patterns
• Use of plant extracts from Amazonian plants for the design of integrated pest management
• Research on flying field bug
• The usefulness of mosquitoes in biological control serves to isolate viruses
• Habitat use by the Mediterranean Ant
• Genetic structure of the  African golden wolf  based on its habitat
• Birds body odor on their interaction with mosquitoes and parasites
• The role of ecology in the evolution of coloration in owls
• The invasion of the red swamp crayfish
• Molecular taxonomy and biogeography of caprellids
• Bats of Mexico and United States
• What can animal rights NGOs do in case of animal cruelty during animal testing initiatives?

Or you can try 297 High School Research Paper Topics to Top The Class

Controversial Animal Research Topics

• Is it okay to adopt an animal for experimentation?
• The authorization procedures on animals for scientific experiments
• The objective of total elimination of animal testing
• Are there concrete examples of successful scientific advances resulting from animal experimentation?
• Animal rights for exotic animals: Protection of forests and wildlife
• How can animal rights help the endangered animals
• Animal experimentations are a type of animal cruelty: A detailed analysis
• Animal testing: encouraging the use of alternative methods
• Use of animals for the evaluation of chemical substances
• Holding seminars on the protection of animals
• Measures to take against animal cruelty
• Scientific research on marine life
• Scientific experiments on animals for medical research
• Experimentation on great apes
• Toxicological tests and other safety studies on chemical substances
• Why isn’t research done directly on humans rather than animals?
• Are animals necessary to approve new drugs and new medical technologies?
• Are the results of animal experiments transferable to humans?
• Humans are not animals, which is why animal research is not effective
• What medical advances have been made possible by animal testing?
• Animals never leave laboratories alive
• Scientific interest does not motivate the use of animal research
• Animal research is torture 
• How can a layperson work against the animal testing?

Every crime is a controversy too, right? Here are some juicy  Criminal Justice Research Paper Topics  as well.

Animal Research Topics: Animal Rights

• Growing awareness of the animal suffering generated by these experiments
• What are the alternatives to animal testing?
• Who takes care of animal welfare?
• Major global organizations working for animal rights
• Animal rights in developing countries
• International animal rights standards to work against animal cruelty
• Animal cruelty in developing countries
• What can a layperson do when seeing animal cruelty
• Role of society in the prevention of animal cruelty
• Animal welfare and animal rights: measures taken against animal cruelty in developing countries
• Animal cruelty in the name of science
• How can we raise a better, empathetic and warm-hearted children to put a stop to animal cruelty
• Ethical animal testing methods with safety
• Are efforts being made to reduce the number of animals used?
• The welfare of donkeys and their socioeconomic roles in the subcontinent
• Animal cruelty and superstitious conceptions of dogs, cats, and donkeys in subcontinent
• Efforts made by international organizations against the tragedy of animal cruelty
• International organizations working for animal welfare
• Animal abuse: What are the immediate measures to take when we see animal cruelty
• Efforts to stop animal abuse in South Asian Countries
• Animal abuse in the name of biomedical research

Talking about social causes, let’s have a look at social work topics too: 206  Social Work Research Topics

Interesting Animal Research Topics

• The urbanization process and its effect on the dispersal of birds:
• Patterns of diversification in Neotropical amphibians
• Interactions between non-native parrot species
• Impact of landscape anthropization dynamics and wild birds’ health
• Habitat-driven diversification in small mammals
• Seasonal fluctuations and life cycles of amphipods
• Animal cruelty in African countries
• Evolution of the environmental niche of amphibians
• Biological studies on Louisiana crawfish
• Biological studies on Pink bollworm
• Biological studies on snails
• Biological studies on Bush Crickets
• Biological studies on Mountain Gorillas
• Biological studies on piranha
• Consequences of mosquito feeding
• Birds as bioindicators of environmental health
• Biological studies on victoria crowned pigeon
• Biological studies on black rhinoceros
• Biological studies on European spider
• Biological studies on dumbo octopus
• Biological studies on markhor
• Study of genetic and demographic variation in amphibian populations
• Ecology and population dynamics of the blackberry turtle
• Small-scale population differentiation in ecological and evolutionary mechanisms
• Challenges in vulture conservation

Also interesting: 232  Chemistry Research Topics  To Make Your Neurochemicals Dance

Submarine Animals Research Topics

• The physiology behind the luminous fish
• A study of Fish population dynamics
• Study of insects on the surface of the water
• Structure and function of schools of fish
• Physiological ecology of whales and dolphins
• Form and function in fish locomotion
• Why do whales and dolphins jump?
• Impact of Noise on Early Development and Hearing in Zebrafish
• Animal cruelty against marine life on the hand of fishermen

Read More:  Accounting Research Topics

Animal Biology Research Topics

• Systematic and zoogeographical study of the ocellated lizards
• Morphological study of neuro histogenesis in the diencephalon of the chick embryo
• Anatomical study of three species of Nudibranch
• The adaptive strategy of two species of lagomorphs
• The Black vulture: population, general biology, and interactions with other birds
• Ocellated lizards: their phylogeny and taxonomy
• Studies on the behavior of ocellated lizards in captivity
• Comparative studies of the egg-laying and egg-hatching methods of ocellated lizards
• Studies on the ecology and behavior of ocellated lizards
• The taxonomic and phylogenetic implications of ocellated lizards
• Research on the egg-laying and egg-hatching methods of ocellated lizards
• Studies on the ecology and behavior of ocellated lizards in their natural environment
• Comparative studies of the egg-laying and egg-hatching methods of ocellated lizards in different countries
• Studies on the ecology and behavior of ocellated lizards in their natural environment in the light of evolutionary and ecological insights

Animal research topics are not hard to find for you anymore. As you have already read a load of them. You can use any of them and ace your research paper, and you don’t even need to ask permission. If you are looking for a research paper writing service , be it animal research, medical research, or any sort of research, you can contact us 24/7.

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TTU Amarillo students, researchers share findings, ideas at inaugural symposium

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and the TTU School of Veterinary Medicine (TTUSVM) held a symposium with more than 100 student and trainee researchers Friday at its Student Research Day held at the veterinary school's campus in Amarillo. 

This year was the first time that both schools have come together to give recognition to the amazing research being done on the campus. 

“Previously, individual schools were provided opportunities to present their work; this year, the research offices at both TTU and TTUHSC have supported the planning of this campus-wide event that included all of the schools in Amarillo,” TTUHSC Assistant Vice President of Research Christine Garner, Ph.D., said. “We are excited for this event to bring us all together, foster connection, learn from each other and open up more opportunities for research collaborations.”    

During this event, research accomplishments of students, residents, and faculty of respective fields of study made poster and oral presentations highlighting their work. 

Bailey Samper, a PhD candidate in the One Health Sciences program, spoke about the event and the importance of collaboration. 

“A number of graduate students and other researchers are here to present their research,” Samper said. "It is really just a great opportunity to get together and share all the thoughts and new ideas that are being generated out of Texas Tech in Amarillo.” 

Samper emphasized that at the university, there is a remarkably diverse portfolio of research done on campus day and night. 

“It's gratifying to see everyone’s hard work come to fruition at such a great event like this,” Samper added.  

Samper has been hired as an assistant professor at WT, with most of her research so far being focused on animal health economics. Her presentation at the symposium focused on the capability of consumers' beliefs to be influenced about organic and conventional beef production and looking at how it affects their willingness to pay for ground beef. 

“Not everyone responds to information the same way,” Samper said. "It is interesting to see which type of people take in new information and update their views and beliefs about the world. Some people process and interpret that differently, which leads to interesting results in willingness to pay more. It is always fun to do research with human subjects, because you always get some interesting and surprising results.”  

With this symposium, Samper feels that it is a wonderful way to learn about what other researchers are doing, to be able to broaden their perspectives to advance health in the community and the planet. 

“Knowing that each little incremental step, no matter how difficult, is ultimately going to help that industry that I care so deeply about, makes it worth it in the end,” Samper added. 

Heidi Villalba, an assistant professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine, spoke about the event and its importance in collaborating on research. 

“I am here to interact with our students to get to know what their research is about across disciplines and see how we can collaborate together,” Villalba said. “As a former student who did training here at the School of Pharmacy, we did not have such events to bring in both veterinary medicine and the Health Sciences Center, so now, as a faculty member, I can see our students interact. I am incredibly happy to see our student and veterinary physicians coming together to showcase the research happening in the Texas Panhandle.” 

Villalba emphasized that these groups working together is the key to being able to advance animal and human health sciences. 

“With our initiative here at the School of Veterinary Medicine, we are looking at the intersection of human health, animal health, and the environment and how they all relate and work together," Villalba added.

• Publications

Funding received for 10 new equine research projects

Morris Animal Foundation gave 10 grants to find more ways of advancing equine health

hedgehog94 / stock.adobe.com

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) announced its selection of 10 new grants dedicated to enhancing equine health, and specifically, the well-being of domesticated horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. “We are excited to fund these research proposals that will advance equid health," said Kathy Tietje, PhD, MBA, chief program officer at MAF, in the release. "Through these grants, we aim to elevate the quality of life, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for horses, ponies, donkeys and mules." 1

According to an article from EquiManagement, it is estimated that the number of horses in the United States has decreased by 23% in the last 10 years. 2 However, data from the American Horse Council’s 2017 equine impact study, 3 reveals that 1.3% of the US population owns horses, 29.2% of American household members participate in equine-related activities but do not own a horse, and 13.2% spectate at horse events but do not own or participate. This demonstrates that almost a third of US households own horses or participate in some way in the equine world, which is positive news for the equine industry. 2,3

MAF’s call for more equine-focused research can help improve equine veterinary practice as a whole. The 10 recipients are: 1

• Claire Ricci-Bonot, University of LincoIn, United Kingdom; "An Exploration of the Nature of Separation-Related Problems in the Horse." Researchers will use survey tools to learn more about separation anxiety in horses, including its different forms and situational triggers.
• Angela Gaesser, University of Pennsylvania; "What Role Does Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathway Play in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Equine Osteoarthritis." Researchers will study if a signaling pathway contributes to the progression of osteoarthritis and if a novel treatment targeting this pathway can help affected horses.
• Edward J. Knowles, Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom; "Insights into the Pathogenesis of Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Plasma Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Profiles in Ponies with Insulin Dysregulation." Researchers will learn more about insulin resistance and laminitis in horses and develop cost-effective tools to monitor these patients better.
• Serena Ceriotti, Auburn University; "Effect of Omeprazole Treatment on the Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered Flunixin Meglumine in Adult Horses: A Pilot Study." Researchers will study the anti-ulcer drug omeprazole, often prescribed with the NSAID flunixin meglumine and its impact on the latter drug's ability to reduce pain in horses effectively.
• Izabela de Assis Rocha, University of Kentucky; "Investigation of the Immunopathogenesis of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis." Researchers will study why a small percentage of horses infected with the causative parasite Sarcocystis neurona are afflicted with a severe neurological disease called equine protozoal myeloencephalitis while other infected horses are unaffected.
• Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam, Purdue University; "Determining the Role of Dense Granule Protein, SnGRA9, in Sarcocystis neurona Infection." Researchers will study how a protein helps the parasite Sarcocystis neurona grow and reproduce in infected horses.
• Breanna Sheahan, North Carolina State University; "Identifying CFTR Inhibition as a Treatment for Equine Diarrhea Using an In Vitro Patient-Derived Organoid Platform." Researchers will use an organoid platform, a 3D cell culture, to study a potential new treatment for severe diarrhea in horses.
• Kristen Conn, University of Saskatchewan, Canada; "Understanding the Chromatin Regulation of Lytic Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) Gene Expression." Researchers will work to understand better how EHV1 causes disease and use this information to inform the development of improved treatments.
• Carrie J. Finno, University of California, Davis; "Unraveling the Genetic Etiology of Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy in Quarter Horses and Warmbloods." Researchers will search for causative genes associated with a common neurological disease in horses called equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy or eNAD/EDM.
• Thilo Pfau, University of Calgary, Canada; "A Team-Based Approach to Monitoring Gait Symmetry: Hoof Care Providers, Horse Owners and Veterinarians Working Toward Prevention of Lameness." Researchers will partner with hoof care providers, veterinarians and owners to evaluate the feasibility of using video technology to monitor horse gait changes.
• Morris Animal Foundation funds 10 equine-focused projects. News release. Morris Animal Foundation. January 18, 2024. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/foundation-announces-grant-recipients-equine-health-studies
• Grice AL. The reality of equine practice in 2023. EquiManagament. April 25, 2023. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://equimanagement.com/business-development/financial/the-reality-of-equine-practice-in-2023/
• Economic impact of the United States horse industry. American Horse Council. 2017. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://horsecouncil.org/resources/2017-economic-impact-study-facts/

Innovation and insights to support the veterinary profession

Chewy president Mita Malhotra joins The Vet Blast Podcast to discuss supporting veterinary professionals through innovation

Is your workplace pet-friendly certified?

Vetster launches the Pet Friendly Workplace Certification for employers

What you need to know about GFI #256 and the changing landscape of compounding medicine

Marcy Bliss, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy, talks GFI #256 compliance and how drug compounding has changed over time

French bulldogs, most popular dog breed for the second year in a row

The American Kennel Club shared the top dog breeds of 2023

AAEP announces initiatives to recruit and retain equine veterinary professionals

The Commission of Equine Veterinary Sustainability aims to address areas in need of improvement

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Inspiring Tomorrow’s Veterinarians with Community Pathway Programs

Our initiatives aim to introduce young community members, including those from under-resourced backgrounds, to the field of veterinary medicine to inspire and show a path toward their future careers.

The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of veterinarians through community engagement pathway programs. Our initiatives aim to introduce young community members, including those from under-resourced backgrounds to the field of veterinary medicine to inspire and show a path toward their future careers. 

Secondary School Visits  

One example of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s commitment to fostering interest and diversity in the veterinary profession is a school visit organized by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team.   Middle and high school students at Baboquivari Secondary School in Topawa, Arizona, on the Tohono O’odham Nation, visited our college and received a firsthand peek into the world of veterinary medicine. Dr. Alberta Arviso , Senior Engagement Officer at CVM, who aided in building connections and plans leading to this exciting visit, reflected on this event by sharing,   

“[We wanted] to provide an opportunity for students and educators to gain knowledge and experience on how to get into veterinary medical school and gain insight into veterinary medical career options. The students and educators were delighted and grateful to learn about the academic requirements, the admission process, and the role of a veterinarian. The purpose of this school visit was in alignment with the missions of both Baboquivari Secondary School and our College, which are to educate the whole person and to develop career-ready individuals who can serve in their communities. In addition, we want to encourage diverse groups of students in our Tucson community to consider a career in veterinary medicine.”  

Through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, the visiting students gained valuable insights into academic requirements, admissions processes, and the diverse career opportunities available in veterinary medicine. The visit included a tour of our main Oro Valley campus and the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center, allowing students and educators to see our didactic learning spaces and onsite teaching herds featuring cows, horses, and sheep. While at the CAC, Animal Care Manager Skyler Bentley and her team led the students in hands-on learning activities using the instructional animal models our VetCats utilize regularly. At the Oro Valley campus, students learned about histology from Dr. Sharon Dial, a Research Scientist at CVM. Direct contact with veterinary medical activities allows students to live out their passions and experience veterinary medicine in action.  

Central to CVM’s outreach efforts is our commitment to inclusion and diversity. Dr. Arviso discussed the importance of reaching out to under-resourced communities, emphasizing the role of early school outreach programs in attracting and exposing young people to veterinary careers. These initiatives introduce young students to a potential future for themselves and contribute to building a more diverse and inclusive future for veterinary medicine.   

Pathways to Veterinary Medicine  

School visits are only part of a larger effort by the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team to encourage diversity and inclusivity in veterinary medicine. The community pathway programs encompass a range of initiatives, including the League of VetaHumanz TM , a unique nationwide program created by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine for kindergarten through fourth-grade students. The League of Vetahumanz TM , funded by the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, aims to engage young children in STEM education by introducing them to veterinary medicine. Certified through the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, our Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine role model team of students, veterinarians, and staff, deliver the League’s STEM curriculum to local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson. Through these educational interactions, children gain valuable knowledge about a career field they might not have otherwise been exposed to and develop skills in communication, cultural humility, and animal welfare.   

When asked how outreach to under-resourced communities improves the field of veterinary medicine, Dr. Arviso said,  

“Early school outreach (K-12), community college, and Tribal college pathways are excellent opportunities to connect with people in our community. They attract and expose youth in our communities to careers in the veterinary medical profession, provide role modeling, and help diversify the field of veterinary medicine. They also build and sustain inclusivity in veterinary medicine as they recruit and retain future veterinarians who can be leaders in under-resourced communities. [It is important to] promote accessibility of veterinary medical services in under-resourced communities.”  

Looking ahead, CVM remains committed to expanding its outreach efforts and forging connections with schools and communities across Tucson and its surrounding areas. By extending pathway programs from kindergarten through twelfth grade, community colleges, and Tribal colleges, CVM seeks to create a lasting impact and inspire the next generation of veterinarians.  

Working with community partners, CVM is helping pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse veterinary medical field, where individuals come together to pursue their passion and make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and communities.  

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5 NSF projects transforming how researchers understand plastic waste

The U.S. National Science Foundation champions research on how plastic impacts the planet. These five projects are changing how researchers think about plastic and what happens after it is tossed away.

Plastic is everywhere. Humans produce so much plastic that we end up throwing away about 400 million tons of plastic-related trash every year. And researchers are learning that this trash doesn't stay where it is deposited. From land to sea, plastic is found virtually everywhere on the planet.

Earth Day 2024 is highlighting the plastics problem with the theme: "Planet vs. Plastic." "Our reliance on harmful plastics is not sustainable," said Alexandra Isern, NSF assistant director for Geosciences. "We are committed to funding research that will address the plastics challenge to create a safer future for generations to come."

Here are five NSF-driven projects that look at the versatile material in both expected and unusual places and examine its impacts on the planet and the creatures who call it home. 

1. In soils

About half of the 400 million tons of plastic that people worldwide discard annually migrates beyond landfills.

Brian Giebel, an assistant research professor at the City University of New York, and Benjamin Bostick, a professor at Columbia University, are studying how these discarded plastics can affect soil health and function . The team is especially interested in plastic's potential to change how soils emit climate-warming gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

How does a piece of plastic eventually end up as a gas? First, it breaks down through chemical and physical processes in soils. When it degrades to less than 5 micrometers in size, slightly bigger than a speck of dust, it can become a tasty lunch for microorganisms, which then release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

The team will use a variety of laboratory techniques, like stable isotope measurements and X-ray microscopy, to track plastic's degradation, microbial uptake and eventual transformation to gas. 

2. In urban streams

From plastic wrappers to plastic bottles, plastics dominate daily life. Once used, however, plastic can often end up as litter within waterways.

Anne Jefferson, a professor at the University of Vermont, and her team are using time-lapse photography and repeat field surveys to understand how discarded plastic  moves through and sometimes stays in streams . "I kept seeing trash everywhere in the urban streams where I was doing research for other projects," Jefferson said. "Since stopping litter from entering streams seemed like a losing battle, I wanted to know more about what happens to the litter once it got into a stream and how it interacted with other elements of the stream channel."

Jefferson's findings will improve litter tracking models that follow plastic from streams to oceans. She wants to learn how much plastic is stored in flood plains or within stream and river channels rather than entering the ocean. Her findings will also help guide litter management, environmental cleanup and ecosystem restoration efforts.

3. On the ocean's surface

Just like humans, plastic is carbon-based. Aron Stubbins, a professor at Northeastern University, is using this fact to better understand whether plastic pollution has fundamentally changed the ocean's surface.

Plastic has been accumulating at the ocean's surface ever since mass production started about 70 years ago. Stubbins and his team are collecting plastic samples from the open ocean and measuring natural organic carbon and plastic-carbon concentrations to determine if the plastic carbon now makes up a significant fraction of the total surface ocean carbon. If that is the case, as the team suspects, then it's very likely that the plastic carbon levels on the ocean surface today are unprecedented.

The team collected samples from the Atlantic Ocean on a research cruise last summer. The anticipated findings will reveal whether ocean scientists need to consider the role of plastic carbon as an active component of the surface ocean carbon cycle. 

4. In the Arctic 

Bits of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters can come from larger plastic pieces that have broken apart, byproducts of plastic manufacturing or microbeads used in health and beauty products.

These microplastics litter the seas, even reaching the remote Arctic Ocean. Alexandra Jahn, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, is studying how sea ice moves microplastics in polar regions.

Jahn and her collaborators at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, the University of Washington and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute are investigating why observed concentrations of microplastics in sea ice are many times higher than in the underlying ocean and how this affects where microplastics end up. The team is also investigating whether sea ice is more likely to melt when it contains dark microplastics, which increase sunlight absorption.

To help answer these questions, the team is growing sea ice embedded with microplastics in a laboratory and adding microplastics to numerical models of various complexity. 

5. In the atmosphere 

Manufacturers add certain chemicals to plastic to make it stronger, more flexible and more durable. However, when plastic waste ends up in the ocean, these often toxic additives can leach into the water and accumulate in the sea surface microlayer, where the top of the ocean meets the atmosphere. 

Nate Slade, an assistant professor at the University of California San Diego is studying how these chemicals can stick to droplets as they evaporate into the air , travel long distances across the ocean, pollute air quality, and eventually end up in a person's airways. 

Slade and his team want to know how long plastic additives can last when stuck to those droplets, known as aerosols, and how other chemicals can affect their transport. 

These and related NSF-supported projects will help scientists better understand how plastic impacts the planet and how to use that knowledge to build a resilient planet. 

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• Our Mission

PBL for Pre-K Through Second Grade

Very young students can benefit from project-based learning, as these detailed steps for a project conducted by preschool students demonstrate.

Observation, exploration, and discovery are three main skills that young children (kindergarten to second grade) generally develop when they interact with their surroundings. Some children prefer to take time to observe the environment before moving around to explore, while others choose to immediately start actively discovering the wonders within the environment. Nurturing an environment that ignites curiosity and facilitates exploration, therefore, is paramount.

Early-years educators who work with children 2 to 7 years old play a pivotal role in laying the foundation for lifelong learning by creating spaces where children can freely explore their diverse interests and learn how to expand explorations and inquiries into meaningful in-depth projects. 

In this post, I share a project I developed for a pre-K class with 3-year-olds that offers clear examples of each step and process feature. The project began when a boy became fascinated by the sound that came out of a bottle when he blew into it. He shared his findings with his peers, and the Sounds Exploration project began.  

Creating an Environment for Exploration

The environments where young children interact become learning spaces and serve as educators, generating dialogue between children and/or between each child and the environment, developing processes of inquiry, reflection, observation, and active listening. What should these spaces be like? 

Versatility: Design flexible learning environments that allow spontaneous exploration and discovery in different areas and disciplines. Incorporate adaptable learning materials to accommodate diverse interests and activities. Equip your classroom with a rich variety of resources, including books, art supplies, natural materials, and sensory experiences. Allow children to access natural open spaces that offer enough room for free exploration.  

In the example of the Sounds Exploration project, the teacher offered different materials and contexts for the learners to make and identify sounds, both outside and indoors. In the open air, the teacher helped learners focus on sounds by inviting them to close their eyes and name the sounds they could hear. This takes some time and guidance to help learners to listen beyond the sounds in the foreground and pay attention to those in the background. The learners were then made aware of the sounds they made by walking on different surfaces—like pebbles, grass, and mud—and the sounds they made with sticks or by hitting the water. Outdoors contexts are full of discovery possibilities. 

Indoors, the children used materials such as plastic tops, foil, plastic, cellophane, construction paper, and cardboard to make sounds. Wood blocks, musical instruments, and toys (cars, trucks, dolls, balls, construction blocks) are also an option, as are the different surfaces (floor, carpets, tables) in the classroom. 

In both environments, the children had guidance to help them discover more about the sounds they produced. This connects with the next point.

Curiosity: Encourage a culture of inquiry by posing open-ended questions, stimulating wonder, and inviting children to explore topics of interest. Offer provocations and invitations to learning that spark curiosity and prompt further investigation. 

Collaboration: Facilitate opportunities for children to explore together, interact, learn from one another, and question their findings. 

Interacting with children during exploration periods

The most successful interactions a teacher can carry out in the period of inquiry are those that don’t have a single answer but allow for different responses. The children’s answers will likely be the result of the connections they make with themselves, their previous knowledge, their interaction with their peers, and the context in which they’re interacting.

As a consequence, the teacher has an opportunity to develop and model an attitude of listening and of inquiry into the children’s responses and the construction of their learning. 

For example, related to the Sounds project, the teacher might ask the following questions: 

• “How do you do it? Can you teach me?”
• “This sound... what does it remind you of?” 
• ”What other sounds can we make?”
•  ”What causes sound to be produced?”
•  ”What can we use this sound for?”

Engage in active observation: Observe children closely as they play: as they interact with each other, the decisions they make, and how they choose to communicate their feelings, emotions, thoughts. Pay attention to their interests, preferences, and inquiries.

Listen actively: Listen to the children’s conversations when you ask open-ended questions to stimulate their thinking and foster reflection and critical thinking. Encourage them to communicate their ideas and their thoughts, share observations, and voice their desire to know. 

Let the children express freely: Let them show you their willingness to deepen their knowledge. Follow their interests and curiosity, allowing them to guide the direction of their exploration. Facilitate support and resources based on their inquiries, empowering them to build knowledge and take ownership of their learning journey.

Provide research tools: Offer the children access to age-appropriate tools and materials, including books, digital resources, and hands-on experiences. Support them in navigating these resources independently, fostering self-directed learning skills.

Facilitate tools to document their findings: Provide materials and resources for learners to document their discoveries in various ways: different art forms, notes, oral dialogues, audio/video recordings. 

Transferring exploration into research projects

Children’s active exploration, properly documented, will generate a lot of information and, in turn, will create the possibility of continuing work on a specific project.

In the example of the Sounds Exploration project, the learners were invited to use the sounds they had collected, identified, and documented to make a Sound Story from a well-known story they usually read in class and enjoyed. The guiding question was this: How can the learners in this class turn [the name of the story] into a sound story?

Assist project planning: Guide children in planning and organizing their research project, and deconstruct the process into manageable steps. Help them create research questions, collect information, and develop a short-term plan of action. 

Analyze the data collected: Facilitate understanding of the findings and guide the children to become aware of which subject area they’re willing to learn more about. 

Ignite Intrinsic motivation: Provide steps for the learners to become aware of  what they already know about the specific topic in that subject area and what more they want to know, and guide them in finding where they can collect the information they’re looking for. 

Foster reflection: Promote reflection throughout the research process. Provide opportunities for children to share their findings with peers and reflect on their learning experiences and strategies.

Research projects enable teachers to empower children to make choices and decisions about their learning journey when they have a range of options and opportunities to explore their interests authentically. In addition, research projects foster collaboration and peer learning by encouraging children to work together and share what they’ve learned. 

It’s important to recognize and celebrate children’s achievements and contributions throughout the research process. Create opportunities for them to showcase their work, share their findings with others, and receive feedback and praise .

In essence, by creating an environment that nurtures exploration, supporting children during their inquiries, and empowering them to take on leadership roles in their learning, early years educators can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of curiosity, discovery, and success.

• 16 hours ago

Pioneering Research Redefining The Future Of Work | ASU+GSV Summit 2024

This panel discussion at the 2024 ASU+GSV Summit features Nathalie Gazzaneo and Kerry McKittrick (Co-Directors, Harvard Project on Workforce), Eleonora Brandimarti (Research Fellow, Harvard Business School), and David Shacklette (Product Manager, Harvard Skills Lab) discussing actionable ideas backed by pioneering and multidisciplinary research. This section aimed to catalyze action across leaders in business, education, and policy seeking to build a future of work that creates more and better pathways to economic mobility.

Discussion covered various workforce topics, including:

Economic mobility and advancement

Low-wage workers

Career navigation

Harvard Skills Lab measuring durable/soft skills, and reskilling

Training opportunities

Workforce AI and generative AI

Short-term training

The Workforce Almanac data tool and report

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For more details on restrictions on religion around the world, read our latest report on the topic, “Globally, Government Restrictions on Religion Reached Peak Levels in 2021, While Social Hostilities Went Down.”  

Note: Government restrictions include laws, policies and actions by authorities that impinge on religious beliefs and practices, while social hostilities involving religion include actions by private individuals or groups in society that limit such practices.

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