“People are very interested in alternative therapies that work better” and have fewer side effects, said Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a veterinary neurologist at Colorado State University who studies medical cannabis and is on the scientific advisory board of Panacea Life Sciences, a CBD product manufacturer.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this mystery illness outbreak was the high number of dogs who developed pneumonia. One Colorado vet, Dr. Michael Lappin, director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, told NBC News the number of canine pneumonia cases in the state rose by 50% between September and November 2023 compared to 2022.
Researchers at Colorado State University are advancing our understanding of how osteoarthritis progresses in horses. Their work could eventually aid individuals who develop the degenerative disease following an injury to a knee, elbow, or shoulder. Lynn Pezzanite, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and assistant professor at Colorado State University, noted that the disease impacts nearly eight out of ten horses over the age of 15.
Yvette Nout-Lomas, DVM, Ph.D., explains that colitis in general refers to the inflammation of the lining of the large colon or hindgut in the horse. This leads to thickening of the wall with subsequent dysfunction, such as reduced absorption of water and nutrients. In addition, undesired substances can enter the bloodstream through the damaged sections.
“I think the state’s vision to package this along with all these other health care activities really speaks to the growing importance of that One Health concept,” said CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank, a former professor of veterinary science at CSU and practicing veterinarian. “The health of humans, the health of animals — whether it’s zoonotic diseases, environmental factors, the health of our planet — these things are all linked together, and we’re really proud to be part of this. We’ll put it to good use.”
As veterinarians worldwide are defining and establishing their roles in helping to combat the health impacts of climate change on animals, veterinary colleges like Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins, Colorado are working to educate the veterinarians of the future to be stewards of planetary health. “Climate change makes all animals sick. We are critically close to the point of no return,” says Dr. Colleen Duncan, veterinarian and professor of preventative medicine and pathology at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
In a news release Monday, Dr. Michael Lappin, an internal medicine specialist and director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at CSU, said it’s not clear why cases decreased but it could be related to pets spending less time in social situations with other dogs.
In Colorado, CSU experts have been working with partners across the state on multiple fronts to investigate the origin of last year’s elevated numbers, Dr. Michael Lappin said. Those efforts have included examining whether any of the previous spikes were the result of one of the 10 viruses or bacteria already known to cause canine respiratory disease, if any of those pathogens have changed or if there are any new causes.
VIDEO: “The great news is that the number of cases being reported in Colorado has been dropping since our suspected peaks between August and December,” said Dr. Michael Lappin, an internal medicine specialist and director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at CSU. “Why that trend is occurring is unknown but may be related to our pets spending less time in social situations that might include ill dogs during the winter months.”
“Why that trend is occurring is unknown but may be related to our pets spending less time in social situations that might include ill dogs during the winter months,” said Dr. Michael Lappin, an internal medicine specialist and director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at CSU.