Veterinary Medicine | Penn Today

Side by side images show abnormal clustering of chromosomes, labeled with florescent purple and yellow

Revealing the mysterious biology of a fundamental process: reproduction

New findings from the lab of P. Jeremy Wang in the School of Veterinary Medicine shed light on the cell division process that creates eggs and sperm, recurrent pregnancy loss, and the mechanism by which sperm move.

Microscopic image of fluorescently labeled lamellae in a horse hoof

Laminitis insights show promise for the future

Researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine and University Florida partnered on the work, which may lead to new blood tests or even treatments for the disease, which often leads to euthanasia in horses.

The inner lives of cats: what our feline friends really think about hugs, happiness and humans

Carlo Siracusa of the School of Veterinary Medicine said cats are capable of bonding with people, contrary to claims that they’re merely using their owners for food and shelter. “Humans hug and kiss. Dogs become very excited and jump around. Cats don’t do anything like that. They are much more elegant,” he said. “They approach us. They bump their heads. Then they have some contact with us and walk away.”

Why don’t we have a COVID vaccine for pets?

Elizabeth Lennon of the School of Veterinary Medicine spoke about the need for COVID-19 vaccines for animals. Lennon said that, fortunately, “to date, there hasn’t been any documented cases of dogs or cats spreading the virus to people.”

A hub for zoonotic disease research

The new Institute for Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases, launched by the School of Veterinary Medicine, leans on Penn’s strengths in immunology and infectious disease to prepare for emerging threats to animal and human health.

Some dogs exhibit signs of ADHD, just like humans

James Serpell of the School of Veterinary Medicine said he errs on the side of caution when it comes to treating dogs’ mental health issues with pharmaceuticals. "Don't use these drugs on animals unless it's really necessary in order to calm the animal down and prevent the worst symptoms of anxiety,” he said, “and try to think of it as a short-term thing, something that you would do for a while until you find a more satisfactory way of coping with the problem through behavior modification and things like that."

diagram of gene therapy for the eye showing injection into vitreous

Novel gene therapy platform speeds search for ways to cure blindness

A newly developed single-cell RNA sequencing technique enables researchers to quickly identify an optimal vector for delivering therapeutic genetic material to treat vision disorders, and perhaps other genetic conditions.

9/11, 20 years later

Experts across the University share their thoughts on how 9/11 transformed their field, their research, and the world.

The dogs of 9/11: Their failed searches for life helped sustain it

Cynthia Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine is quoted on the experiences the rescue dogs at ground zero faced during their search.

Smiling person kneels with dog along riverbank

Forging healthy bonds with canine companions

School of Veterinary Medicine postdoc Lauren Powell’s research illuminates how the personalities of both dogs and their owners influence the pairs’ ability to overcome behavioral challenges.

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