Healthy pets matter.
Whether your furbaby snuggles up on the couch or eagerly waits for you in the stable, our animals bring comfort and laughter to our lives. Here are some ways Illinois researchers are keeping your animals happy and healthy.
Pets with cancer receive promising new treatments developed by Illinois researchers. From novel anticancer molecules to radiation combined with immunotherapy anchored within the tumor, effective treatments for dogs and cats may go on to be used for human cancer patients.
27,621
The number of pets treated at the VetMed hospital in 2023, including 20,360 dogs, 5,645 cats, and 1,616 birds and other exotic pets.
20,082
The number of animals treated on local farms by VetMed in 2023, including 12,225 farm animals and 7,857 horses.
Understanding how viruses like H5N1 transmit from birds to animals and between farms is crucial for halting their spread. Researchers at Illinois are collaborating with others around the world to explore ways farmers and veterinarians can safeguard the health of their herds and communities.
“Because of the ongoing Vet Med research at Illinois, my patient, a young, sweet pit bull, was able to get treatment for a disease that is costly to treat but fatal if not treated. Studies like this give local pet owners opportunities not found elsewhere.”
Dr. ARRIN COLGAN, OWNER & VETERINARIAN
Loving paws pet clinic, Savoy IL
Did you know?
The companion animal nutrition program at Illinois is one of the oldest in the nation. Our researchers contributed to some of the first commercial puppy food formulations, and today they’re studying everything from weight loss diets to alternative fibers supporting pet microbiomes.
Q&A: Jay Ko, Reproductive Endocrinology researcher at Illinois
What do you enjoy about the Champaign-Urbana area?
Within just a 20-minute drive there are approximately 10 golf courses, making this a true haven for an avid golfer like myself.
Briefly describe your research.
Our team of reproductive biologists has developed innovative, non-surgical sterilization methods for female and male animals. It works by injecting a pellet the size of a small grain of rice under the skin, where it releases a drug that disrupts the reproductive system.
What sparked your interest in this research?
Current sterilization methods for animals involve painful surgeries that are costly for owners and time-consuming for veterinarians. This issue is especially concerning in food animals, where such operations often occur without pain management, raising significant animal welfare concerns. This motivated our research to find a more humane and efficient solution.
How do you hope your work has an impact?
I hope Epivara will significantly improve animal welfare and ease the burden on their owners. This advancement can also make sterilization more accessible and affordable, ultimately helping to control animal populations humanely and effectively.
