Dogs

“To look at her now, you wouldn’t think anything happened to her,” exclaimed Andrea Barbee owner of Tessa, a 5-year-old border collie who was kicked in the head by a horse.

But that certainly was not the case when Tessa arrived at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) an hour after the accident. She was immediately admitted to the Emergency Room where veterinarians and technicians noted facial swelling on her right side, her right eyeball sunken, her nose bleeding, and palpable fractures of the temporal and mid-face regions.

Some of the most difficult cancers to treat occur in the brain. Despite decades of research, outcomes for many children, adults and companion animals with aggressive brain tumors have improved little.

UC Davis is bringing together experts from human and veterinary medicine to help change that trajectory.

A pioneering study at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, is utilizing advanced, blood-based technologies to understand the underlying causes of copper hepatopathy in Labrador retrievers and develop non-invasive diagnostic tools for this silent disease. To support this vital research and encourage participation, the cost of the liver biopsy is covered for enrolled dogs.

Summer has found a new forever home after being hit by a car that required several surgeries at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). The approximately 1-year-old German shepherd’s long journey back to health required a large team of veterinary professionals and volunteers. Their dedication to providing care to underserved communities, and saving animals in the process, has given a young dog a new lease on life in the perfect landing spot.  

Sometimes, people are just in the right place at the right time. Thankfully for Aika, neurologist Dr. Christine Toedebusch happened to be in the Emergency Room at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) when the 5-year-old corgi arrived. While she was checking on another patient, Dr. Toedebusch noticed Aika from across the room.

Augmented reality (AR) eyeglasses have the potential to improve outcomes in some complex canine veterinary surgeries, according to a new article in the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR).

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have long been known as contributors to orofacial pain and dysfunction in a dog’s ability to maintain a good quality of life, including eating, drinking, vocalizing, and using their mouth for useful activities. Treatment of TMJ conditions—such as cancerous tumors, severe inflammatory diseases, and septic arthritis—have progressed significantly over the past decade with research and clinical breakthroughs by veterinarians dedicated to oral health.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine

Dr. Maria Vasquez already has a favorite aspect to her position in the small animal hospital—helping manage stress for clinicians and families with hospitalized pets. By getting more hands-on time with her patients, she provides an additional resource to medical teams and reassurance to clients that the best care is being provided for their beloved pets.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine

Luna is back to work as a certified therapy dog—bringing her calm nature to healthcare centers, schools, airports, and other places—after neurosurgery to remove a difficult-to-access brain tumor. The 9-year-old Maltese was the first patient enrolled in a clinical trial investigating fluorescence-guided surgery to remove canine brain tumors.

This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Synergy magazine