About

Teresa DeFrancesco is associated with the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University, where she serves as the Director of Student Engagement. Her role involves fostering a lively campus community and supporting student success through engagement and extracurricular opportunities. The page highlights her leadership in creating a welcoming, collaborative culture that emphasizes student achievement, well-being, and personal growth. While specific research focus areas or scientific contributions are not detailed on the page, her position indicates a commitment to enhancing the student experience within veterinary education.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Cardiology
• Pathology
• Biology
• Genetics
• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology
• Endocrinology
• Anesthesia
• Radiology

Selected publications

• Effect of trazodone on heart rate, heart rate variability, and QT-intervals in dogs

  Journal of Veterinary Cardiology · 2025-06-12

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of trazodone and placebo on heart rate (HR), heart rate variability, and QT intervals in dogs after oral administration of trazodone or placebo. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy adult client-owned dogs were included in the study. Dogs were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Dogs received trazodone (6 mg/kg q 8 h) or placebo for 24 h, during which a 24-h ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) (Holter) was recorded. Diagnostic ECGs and clinician-assessed behavior scores were obtained before and after the 24-h study period. Owners also scored the dog's behavior changes during each of the 24-h study periods. Following a minimum one-week washout period, dogs received the alternate study drug, and all procedures were repeated. Linear and mixed models were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Dogs receiving trazodone had higher average HRs (P=0.035), higher minimum HRs (P<0.001), and reduced HR variability parameters (P<0.001) on the Holter recordings. Electrocardiogram-derived QT interval was not different between groups. Dogs receiving trazodone appeared calmer based on owner assessments (P<0.001) and behavior scores (P=0.006). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Blood pressure and trazodone blood levels were not measured, making it impossible to determine the effect of these variables on the HR and ECG findings. CONCLUSIONS: Trazodone increased HR and decreased HRV. Possible explanations include a previously described anticholinergic effect or a possible decrease in blood pressure causing a reflex response. No demonstrable effect on QTi was identified in this cohort of healthy dogs using standard trazodone dosing.

  PublisherDOI

• Cardiovascular images: pacemaker-lead fracture and excessive coiling in a dog

  Journal of Veterinary Cardiology · 2024-02-08 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• A survey of the use of ultrasound by small animal veterinary clinicians

  Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound · 2024-04-26 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  This study aimed to determine the current use of ultrasound amongst small animal veterinarians. A total of 1216 small animal veterinary practitioners responded to an electronic survey that was administered through the Veterinary Information Network to all its members. Descriptive statistics were generated; limited inferential statistics were performed to examine specific relationships. Eighty-four percent of respondents had access to an ultrasound unit, and 86% of respondents reported using their unit multiple times per week. The most common uses were assistance with cystocentesis (93%) and abdominocentesis (71%), pregnancy diagnosis (69%), limited abdominal evaluation (63%), to aid in thoracocentesis (59%), and limited thoracic evaluation (52%). Eighty-nine percent of respondents received some formal training in ultrasound, most commonly from continuing education courses. Most respondents (52%) reported receiving ≤25 h of training. Additionally, 88% of respondents believed it was either extremely or very important for there to be ultrasound training for veterinary students prior to graduation. Based on this survey, most small animal practitioners commonly use ultrasound for limited examinations, being most confident in the sonographic evaluation and centesis of the bladder and for the detection and centesis of effusion in a body cavity. With most respondents having ≤25 h of training in ultrasound, typically obtained in postgraduate courses, an expansion in standardized basic ultrasound training within the veterinary curriculum may be warranted.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Evaluation of Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Components and Enzymes in Systemically Hypertensive Cats Receiving Amlodipine

  Animals · 2023-11-10 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Chronic renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) activation is harmful. Amlodipine activates RAAS in humans and dogs, but contradictory data exist for systemically hypertensive (SHT) cats. Hypothesis: Cats with SHT and chronic kidney disease treated with amlodipine (SHT/CKD-A) are RAAS activated. Animals: Client-owned cats: unmedicated normotensive (NT) cats (n = 9); SHT/CKD-A cats (n = 5) with median systolic blood pressure of 170 mmHg (vs. 195 mmHg, pre-treatment), chronic kidney disease, and receiving no RAAS-suppressive therapy. Methods: Serum was frozen (−80 °C) until RAAS analysis via equilibrium analysis. The RAAS variables (reported as median (minimum–maximum)) were compared between groups, using Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Angiotensin 1, angiotensin 1,7, angiotensin III, and angiotensin 1,5, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 activity were higher in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats, while ACE activity was lower in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (p &lt; 0.05 all). A marker for alternative RAAS influence (ALT-S) was significantly higher (69; 58–73 pmol/pmol) in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (35; 14–63 pmol/pmol; p = 0.001). Aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher (393; 137–564 pmol/L) in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (129; 28–206 pmol/L; p = 0.007). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Circulating RAAS is activated in systemically hypertensive cats receiving amlodipine. Although this study did not parse out the individual contributions of SHT, chronic kidney disease, and amlodipine, the findings suggest that the use of concurrent RAAS-suppressant therapy, specifically aldosterone antagonism, in amlodipine-treated SHT cats with chronic kidney disease might be indicated.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Temporary cardiac pacing

  Small Animal Critical Care Medicine · 2023-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Pharmacokinetics of pimobendan after oral administration to dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

  Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2023-09-30 · 8 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Pimobendan is an important therapy for dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The pharmacokinetics are reported in healthy dogs but not in dogs with heart disease. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine if dog characteristics such as age, breed, body condition score, ACVIM stage of heart disease or biochemical laboratory value alter the pharmacokinetics of orally administered pimobendan and its metabolite in a cohort of dogs with naturally occurring MMVD. ANIMALS: Fifty-seven client-owned dogs with MMVD ACVIM Stage B2, C, or D and administered pimobendan to steady state blood concentrations. METHODS: Prospective, observational study. Samples were collected using a sparse-sampling protocol at specific intervals after administration of pimobendan. Plasma pimobendan and the active metabolite (O-desmethyl-pimobendan, ODMP) concentrations were determined via high-pressure liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Data was analyzed via a population pharmacokinetic approach and nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NLME). Numerous covariates were examined in the NLME model. RESULTS: ) were approximately 1.4 and 1 hour for pimobendan and 1.4 and 1.3 hours for ODMP, respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters were highly variable, especially the values for pimobendan absorption and elimination rate, and absorption rate of ODMP with coefficients of variation of 147.84%, 64.51% and 64.49%, respectively. No covariate evaluated was a significant source of variability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The pharmacokinetic parameters were highly variable among this group of dogs with MMVD. The variability was not associated with the dog's age, body weight or condition score, stage of heart disease, dose, serum creatinine, or alkaline phosphatase.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Population pharmacokinetics of single dose oral pimobendan in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

  Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine · 2023-09-29

  article
  PublisherDOI

• The Role of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Managing Cardiac Emergencies

  Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice · 2023-07-07 · 6 citations

  reviewSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Contributors

  Small Animal Critical Care Medicine · 2023-01-01

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• Clinical outcome of idiopathic juvenile ventricular arrhythmias in 25 dogs

  Journal of Veterinary Cardiology · 2023-12-15 · 2 citations

  articleCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Bruce W. Keene

  North Carolina State University

  98 shared

• Clarke E. Atkins

  North Carolina State University

  71 shared

• Kathryn M. Meurs

  North Carolina State University

  47 shared

• Sandra Tou

  North Carolina State University

  21 shared

• Stephen R. Werre

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  18 shared

• Andrea C. Lantis

  17 shared

• John E. Rush

  Tufts University

  17 shared

• Jennifer A. Sidley

  North Carolina State University

  17 shared

Labs

• Companion Vet Med Center - CVM (Terry Center)PI

Awards & honors

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency and Crit…