Fall 2020
Tracking down an equine mystery
A “Hall of Fame” expert tracks down the cause of catastrophic racehorse injuries. » More ...
Veterinary Medicine
Fall 2020
Viral haystack
WSU virologist Michael Letko and colleagues have found a way to identify coronaviruses likely to affect people. » More ...
Fall 2019
Where have all the frogs gone?
WSU researchers have a deep love of the Pacific Northwest and its amphibian wildlife. They're leading the work to save and protect frogs and salamanders from some of the deadliest diseases in nature. » More ...
Fall 2019
Bryan Slinker
After 11 years as dean of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, Bryan Slinker (’80 DVM, ’82 PhD Vet. Sci.) is retiring. » More ...
Summer 2019
Medicine that lands on all fours
Pets can be a vital anchor for people caught in the slow-motion disaster of homelessness. In Spokane and Seattle, Washington State University nursing and veterinary medicine students work together with the University of Washington and nonprofit partners to deliver vital care to both homeless people and their animal companions. » More ...
Summer 2019
Tails of comfort
Veterinarian, author, and counselor Robert Slack helps health-care workers who struggle with substance use disorders, mental health problems, or both. » More ...
Winter 2018
Bison
The day the bison herd swam across the river says it all.
About 80 of the legendary mammals, known for hardiness and stubbornness, decided to cross the half-mile wide Pend Oreille River in 1994—bulls, cows, and even calves—and all survived the crossing, recalls Ray Entz, natural resources director of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians in northeast Washington.
That same rugged strength of the wooly North American bovines—whether you call them bison or buffalo—helped the entire resilient species survive. Although bison are now the national mammal of the United States, they once balanced on the cliff of extinction … » More …
Winter 2018
Superbugs
A woman lies dying in a hospital bed in an acute care facility in Nevada. She has a common infection induced by a common bacterium, Klebsiella pneumoniae. But she’s untreatable: her infection is resistant to all 26 of the antibacterial drugs available in the United States capable of treating the bacterium. The infection spreads further, which causes her blood pressure to drop precipitously until she finally succumbs to septic shock.
While death by “superbugs” is still fairly rare, the World Health Organization warns that, if bacteria keep evolving drug resistance at the rate they have been, such bugs will globally cause 10 million deaths per … » More …
Winter 2018
From the horse’s mouth
When an international archaeology team needed to understand how an ancient civilization cared for its horses, they turned to Scott Bender ’95, a veterinarian with the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
Bender will be the first to admit that his career didn’t turn out like he expected—in fact, unforeseen twists are among his favorite parts. This particular turn got him involved in a research project that has changed our understanding of a pivotal point in human history: the emergence of horse domestication for war and transportation.
It started with a surprise phone call. Archaeologist William Taylor was examining horses exhumed from ancient … » More …
Summer 2018
Prepare your pets and livestock for disasters
Disaster strikes not only people, but also their pets and livestock. Be ready for disasters by making plans for your animals, using these tips from Ready.gov.
Read more about animal evacuation during disasters in “Bug out!”
Make a Plan
If you leave your pets behind, they may be lost, injured—or worse. Never leave a pet chained outdoors.
Create a buddy system in case you’re not home. Ask a trusted neighbor to check on your animals.
Identify shelters. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.
Find pet friendly hotels along your … » More …