More time for transplants

More time for transplants
When it comes to getting kidneys to organ transplant patients, the clock is always ticking. In an effort to buy more precious time, researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed an organ transplant storage solution that preserves canine kidneys twice as long as current solutions, for six days as opposed to three. As human trials begin, the researchers, led by veterinarians Jonathan McAnulty and Christopher Murphy, say their efforts could boost the number of kidneys available for transplant in the U.S. and around the world.

One Health

The health of people, animals, and our environment are each inextricably interconnected.  Understanding and addressing the health issues created at this intersection is the concept of One Health.

You may be surprised that this is not a new concept. The theory was supported in the 1800s by William Osler and Rudolf Virchow, the Father of Comparative Pathology. Our increasing interdependence with animals and their products has spurred the veterinary profession to collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment. Read more

Becoming a Veterinarian

Before applying to veterinary college/school, future veterinarians must successfully complete university level pre-veterinary undergraduate course work that usually takes four years and a bachelor’s degree. Each college or school of veterinary medicine establishes its own pre-veterinary requirements, but typically these include demonstrating basic language and communication skills, and completion of courses in the social sciences, humanities, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics.

 Admission to veterinary school is highly competitive with the number of qualified applicants admitted to veterinary schools varying from year to year. There are more than eight applications for each of the approximately 2,600 slots available each year. Read more

Roles of Veterinarians

Veterinarians care for the health of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories. That work ultimately affects the health of human beings both directly and indirectly. Veterinarians use their skills to protect against diseases that can infect both animals and humans (called “zoonotic’) and conduct clinical research on health problems like diabetes, arthritis or cancer that affect humans and animals. Others work in basic research, broadening our knowledge of animals and medical science, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.

Becoming a Veterinarian FAQ

To pursue a veterinary career, what should be done in high school?
Take as many courses in biology, math, and other sciences (including chemistry, physics, and anatomy and physiology) as you can manage while in high school – this will help you prepare for your college courses, and also help you decide if this is the right path for you.

Ask a veterinarian if they would be able to mentor you as you choose which veterinary path you want to follow.  Most veterinarians are interested in helping future veterinarians find their own niche among the many choices offered to them.

Volunteer or work for a veterinarian.  You can work for a veterinarian who does what you hope to do, or with one who does something different so you can get exposed to something new.

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