Ontario Veterinary College's Blog (35)

Traceability and predicting future research areas were two of the topics on the agenda at the recent Mike Wilson Swine Research Day at the University of Guelph.

The annual Swine Research Day provides updates on current research as well as networking opportunities with faculty, grad students, industry representatives and keynote speakers. Wilson was a faculty member in OVC’s Population Medicine department from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s.

The research day provides an…

A new animal welfare program will be offered at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph.  The Saputo Dairy Care program was made possible by a $500,000 gift from Saputo Inc. and will be taught through the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare.  The focus will be on providing practical dairy welfare education, including workshops for veterinary students, veterinary practitioners, and dairy producers. It will also include a fourth year Dairy Welfare rotation for students…

It’s easy to recognize play behaviour in calves when you see it, says Dr. Jeff Rushen, they run and jump.  Exploring these positive emotions can be useful tools to assess animal welfare.

In two presentations at the recent Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare’s (CCSAW) annual Research Symposium at the University of Guelph, Rushen outlined what science has taught about best practices for handling dairy cattle and about exploring positive emotions in animals by…

This year’s Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare’s (CCSAW) 8th annual Research Symposium will include poultry and companion animal sessions, as well as a dairy focus with keynote speaker Dr. Jeff Rushen.

Rushen will outline what science has taught us about the best practices for handling dairy cattle, and about exploring positive emotions in animals by studying play in young calves and how that may be useful in the assessment of animal welfare.

He has worked on many…

Researchers at the University of Guelph want to find out more about the way dairy farmers feed and manage young dairy calves. In particular, they are interested in the use of automated milk feeders in Canada. Dairy farmers across Canada are encouraged to fill out an online survey at http://fluidsurveys.com/s/milkfeedingdairycalves/

You may have already seen or heard about this survey through CanWest DHI,…

A recent dairy research event at the University of Guelph provided research updates to Dairy Farmers of Ontario board members and staff, as well as local dairy producers and industry partners.

“It is highly important and rewarding to share research results with the end users, such as dairy producers and dairy advisors,” says Dr. Todd Duffield, a professor in the Population Medicine Department at the Ontario Veterinary College. “If our dairy research results are to be adopted…

A recent Appreciation Day for OVC Ruminant Field Services (OVC-RFS) clients not only offered research updates they can put to use on their farms, it was an opportunity to thank clients for their support of OVC’s teaching programs.

“We want to thank you for your patients and your patience,” said Dr. Todd Duffield, OVC professor and one of the faculty veterinarians with the OVC-RFS, as he welcomed clients to the day.

Student veterinarians gain valuable experience working with the…

An OVC professor and researcher with a distinguished career in animal health and welfare education, small animal ruminant industries and food-animal agriculture, is this year’s recipient of the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) Carl Block Award.

Dr. Paula Menzies was presented the award at the Canadian Animal Health Coalition’s annual Appreciation Reception in…

Early detection of ketosis can provide dairy farmers with invaluable data to improve their cattle’s health and productivity. 

In a health monitoring program, a cow’s ketone levels can be measured in milk, blood or urine samples weekly for two to three weeks post-calving. Advancements in milking systems are incorporating ketone measurement into…

Dairy cattle with enhanced immune responses not only have lower incidents of disease, but may also produce more bioactive compounds in their colostrum that are critical to newborn calves and are beneficial in fighting mastitis-causing pathogens, an Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) graduate student has found.

Research has shown that High Immune Responder (HIR) cows have a lower incidence of diseases, such as mastitis, metritis, ketosis and retained placenta. The HIR technology,…

The connection between science and business is an important one and one that’s gaining credence through the Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Graduate Scholarship program.

Funded under the OMAFRA-U of G Partnership, HQP scholarships are awarded to support future generations of researchers, policy-makers and innovators in agri-food. Students gain a better understanding of business models and business management while completing research in their area of study. 

The program also…

Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College delve into practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales. These blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with five of them this summer. This week student veterinarian Chelsea describes the value of ultrasounds.  Check out all the student blogs at www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship

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Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College delve into practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales. These blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with five of them this summer. This week student veterinarian Chelsea talks about biosecurity. Check out all the student blogs at www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship

Biosecurity, it’s more than just a…

Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College delve into practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales. These blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with five of them this summer. This week student veterinarian Jodi took a pasture-to-plate approach to some hay samples. Check out all the student blogs at www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship

Working with Dr.…

Diagnostics, clinical skills, problem solving, and working with clients are all critical pieces in a student veterinarian’s education. This summer, five student veterinarians have been blogging during their practical experience (externship) at veterinary practices.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs (OMAF and MRA), students must complete an eight-week Externship Course between third and fourth year in a rural (companion and food animal…