A UC Davis study provides insight into the factors affecting longevity, disease and death in cats so that we can help provide as many quality years as possible.
Tiddles was a 4-year-old Papillon when he was diagnosed in 2011 with a brain tumor. His referring veterinarian gave him approximately 2 months to live. Other documented cases showed that, even with innovative treatments, he would probably not survive more than a year or two. But thanks to research, equipment, and treatments made possible by the donors to the Center for Companion Animal Health, Tiddles beat the odds. He recently turned 15 and is celebrating a decade of being cancer free.
Since 2011, Cate Quinn, a post-doctoral researcher in UC Davis’ Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit within the school, has been studying the fox by collecting its scat (the term preferred over poop, at least in the science world).
Floyd was a ball fanatic with the heart of a retriever. The muscular black and white Boston terrier would play fetch for hours with Ananda and Chuck Nettnins before collapsing in his water trough to cool off.
A few months after his death in April 2016 from hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the vascular endothelium or the blood vessel walls, the Nettnins discovered a secret stash of more than 20 balls hidden under their couch.
Life for Miro, a 5-year-old German shepherd, has been what his owner describes as an “emotional roller coaster” over the past two years. Several peaks and valleys have dotted his metaphorical landscape as he has gone from premiere fitness to dealing with injuries and disease. But a clinical trial at the UC Davis veterinary hospital may have put him back on a positive track.
It’s fitting that Dr. Sara Thomasy is an ophthalmologist. Her eyes light up when she talks about the breakthroughs being made at UC Davis thanks to recent acquisitions of state-of-the-art imaging equipment. Eight new pieces of imaging equipment and one new piece of laboratory technology, made possible by grants from the Center for Companion Animal Health, now allow the Ophthalmology Service to provide new levels of care.
Arai, a 5-year-old female pit bull terrier, loves to chew on balls. Her owners describe her as a “100 percent ball dog.” So when she had a ball in her mouth for a few hours, they didn’t think much was out of the ordinary. When Arai wouldn’t drop the ball when it was time to eat, however, they knew something was wrong.
Maddie’s Fund, a national nonprofit that supports the status and well-being of companion animals, is granting more than $2.5 million to support the Million Cat Challenge as it expands to into its next phase of animal lifesaving in shelters across North America.
