About

Sarah Ho is the CVM Director of Student Engagement at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University. Her role involves fostering student involvement and supporting their academic and personal growth within the college community. The page emphasizes the college's commitment to student achievement, well-being, and extracurricular development, highlighting opportunities such as study abroad programs, research projects, and community engagement. While the page provides extensive information about student programs, events, and college initiatives, it does not contain specific details about Sarah Ho's research focus, background, or key contributions.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Intensive care medicine
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Social Science
• Psychiatry
• Anesthesia
• Anatomy
• Radiology
• Physical therapy
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Audiology
• Developmental psychology
• Pediatrics

Selected publications

• Mapping the canine gut microbiome: insights from the Dog Aging Project

  Nature Communications · 2026-05-19

  articleOpen access

  Companion dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) offer a unique model for studying the gut microbiome and its relation to aging due to their cohabitation with humans, sharing similar environments, diets, and healthcare practices. Here, we present the Dog Aging Project (DAP) Precision cohort, a large population-wide study of the canine gut microbiome. This cohort encompasses over 900 dogs of diverse breeds, environments, and demographics living across the United States. Coupling fecal shotgun metagenomic sequencing with phenotypic and environmental surveys and clinical lab tests, we explore the intricate relationships between microbiome composition, aging, and key factors such as health and living conditions. Our analyses identify multiple factors associated with microbiome composition, including dietary preferences such as commercial versus home cooked nutrition, and behaviors such as coprophagy (feces eating). In addition, we find age-associated gradual shifts in microbiome composition, supporting the development of a metagenomics-based population-level model for canine age prediction based on microbial signatures. We further examined which age-associated microbial patterns observed in humans are recapitulated in dogs by comparing our cohort with the Lifelines-DEEP cohort. Overall, these findings offer insights into the role the gut microbiome plays in our four-legged companions, with potential implications for veterinary medicine and translational aging research.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A reliable and holistic approach to evaluating hearing and cognitive auditory processing in adult and aged companion dogs

  Scientific Reports · 2026-02-10

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Presbycusis affects both peripheral and central auditory systems in people and dogs. While comprehensive behavioral hearing tests exist for people, veterinary audiology lacks methods to assess central auditory function in dogs. This study aimed to develop behavioral hearing tests for dogs. We introduced two novel assessments: the Enclosed Canine Hearing Observation (ECHO) test and the Evaluation of Auditory Reward Response (EARR) test. Fourteen adult dogs with normal hearing, five deaf and five senior dogs were included. The ECHO test evaluates a dog's ability to detect sounds; only hearing dogs responded to sounds with behaviors such as orienting the head or body towards the sound source. The EARR test assesses integration of auditory perception with learning and memory by associating sound cues with rewards; hearing dogs successfully learned and completed the sound-reward task while deaf dogs did not. Senior dogs were able to perform both tasks. Our findings confirmed that these tests are feasible in companion dogs and can differentiate between those with normal hearing and those with hearing impairment. Furthermore, both tests showed high test-retest, intra- and inter-observer reliability. These tests can be paired with electrophysiological tests and MRI evaluations, advancing our ability to detect and characterize presbycusis in dogs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Global pharmacovigilance reporting of the first monoclonal antibody for canine osteoarthritis: a case study with bedinvetmab (Librela™)

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-04-24 · 13 citations

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: Continuous product monitoring post approval builds on the knowledge gained during clinical studies to aid in understanding a product's safety and efficacy profile. Pharmacovigilance reporting of a medicinal product might be influenced by several factors including duration in the market, geographical region and veterinary practices. The goals of this report are to present the global data accrued for bedinvetmab, the first monoclonal antibody for canine osteoarthritis, and to explore reporting patterns globally and across major markets. Methods: Adverse event reports from the Zoetis Global Pharmacovigilance database (from first introduction on 01 February 2021 through 30 June 2024) were collected irrespective of suspected causality or off-label use. Each adverse event was coded using the Veterinary Dictionary for Drug Related Affairs (VeDDRA) terminology. The top 20 most reported VeDDRA terms were identified. Countries were ranked by number of doses distributed and frequency of adverse events. Results: Globally, 18,102,535 doses of bedinvetmab were sold during the study period with a total of 17,162 adverse events reported in dogs (9.48 events/10,000 treated animals (doses)). Eight clinical signs were considered rare (1-10 events/10,000 treated animals (doses)) with lack of efficacy having the highest rate (1.70) followed by polydipsia, ataxia, polyuria/pollakiuria, anorexia, lethargy, death, and emesis. All other clinical signs were considered very rare (< 1 event/10,000 treated animals (doses)). Median (interquartile range) of dogs' age and body weight were 12 (10-13) years and 26 (16-34.6) kg, respectively. The top eight countries by market size were United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Canada, and Australia; from these, the top five by frequency of adverse events were Canada, US, UK, Australia and Germany. The most reported adverse events following bedinvetmab are considered rare or very rare. Discussion: The reported clinical signs generally aligned with expected adverse events or were anticipated within the population receiving bedinvetmab. Reporting rates and patterns in general and for specific VeDDRA terms greatly varied between countries and were not related to market size. Most dogs for which adverse events were reported were considered older and in fair clinical condition. Reporting to pharmacovigilance contributes to the understanding of the safety profile of a medicinal product.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Case Report: 3D-CISS and PC-MRI in the diagnosis and surgical planning of hydrocephalus secondary to presumptive lateral aperture obstruction in a dog

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-10-10

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: This report describes the use of three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS) and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) sequences to investigate the etiology of severe hydrocephalus, and the subsequent surgical management and long-term outcome. Case presentation: A 5-month-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback presented with acute, progressive neurological signs culminating in non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Clinical and imaging findings were consistent with non-communicating tetraventricular hydrocephalus with concurrent severe syringomyelia, but conventional MRI failed to identify the cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow obstruction. Following failure of medical management, advanced MRI sequences were performed to clarify the underlying etiology and guide surgical planning. These included 3D-CISS for high-resolution anatomical assessment and PC-MRI for dynamic evaluation of CSF flow. The findings demonstrated patent intraventricular CSF flow and no evidence of arachnoid septations within the fourth ventricle, thereby excluding a fourth ventricle arachnoid diverticulum. Instead, the imaging findings supported a presumptive diagnosis of hydrocephalus secondary to lateral aperture occlusion. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was placed, resulting in substantial clinical improvement, although mild residual cerebellar deficits persisted. Five months later, the dog experienced acute deterioration. Computed tomography revealed fracture of the distal catheter at the level of its abdominal wall anchoring site, likely due to progressive tension as the dog grew, resulting in the catheter snapping into two segments. Revision surgery restored CSF diversion and led to rapid clinical recovery. The patient remains neurologically stable at 28 months of age, 15 months post-revision. Conclusion: Advanced MRI sequences, particularly 3D-CISS and PC-MRI, were instrumental in supporting the presumptive diagnosis of lateral aperture obstruction as the underlying cause of hydrocephalus and in guiding an individualized, effective surgical strategy. This case highlights the diagnostic and clinical value of advanced MRI techniques in managing complex hydrocephalus.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Concurrent <scp>ANNPE</scp> and vertebral T‐cell lymphoma in a dog: A case report

  Journal of Small Animal Practice · 2025-11-11

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE) is a recognised cause of peracute spinal cord injury in dogs, involving sudden extrusion of non-degenerated nucleus pulposus with minimal compression. While often linked to vigorous activity, its triggers remain unclear. This case describes an 8-year-old neutered male poodle cross dog who developed peracute non-ambulatory paraparesis while running to retrieve a ball. Neurological examination was consistent with a T3-L3 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed disc space narrowing with intramedullary T2W hyperintensity at T13-L1 consistent with ANNPE and a T13 vertebral body lesion that was hyperintense in T1W/STIR and contrast-enhancing, later confirmed as T-cell lymphoma by surgical biopsy. The dog demonstrated rapid clinical improvement, with motor function recovery by day 6 and becoming ambulatory with mild ataxia by week 3. This case highlights the importance of considering underlying vertebral pathology in dogs with presumed ANNPE and emphasises that vertebral lesions detected on MRI may have clinical relevance and should not be overlooked.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The value of case reports

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-08-11

  articleOpen access

  The medical neurologists and neurosurgeons of the world constitute a huge professional body, focused on the disorders of the nervous system of a single species: humans. Subspecializations, such as in neonatal neurology, neuromuscular disorders, and geriatric neurology, have long evolved, given both the complexity of the conditions and the huge case numbers. Some neurological disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) are of increasing importance globally. In striking contrast, veterinary neurology and neurosurgery is numerically a miniscule profession, yet tasked with investigating and treating conditions in several animal species, each with their own idiosyncrasies (cats are not small dogs). In many developed countries, there is now an expectation for sophisticated treatments for neurological disorders affecting beloved pets.Veterinary neurology, like its counterpart in human medicine, often deals with rare, unexpected, complex, or poorly understood conditions. Moreover, the clinical presentations can be daunting for general practitioners and students, possibly leading to a fear of having to manage neurological patients (a phenomenon referred to as neurophobia in human and veterinary medical literature ) (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7).An extra factor contributing to this phenomenon in veterinary neurology, in comparison with its larger sister professions in humans, may be that scientific progress in veterinary neurology advances more slowly. Publications describe newly recognized disorders, superior imaging modalities, advances in neurosurgical procedures and improved therapeutic options, but case numbers are often small. Thus, while progress moves more slowly in the veterinary profession, case reports remain useful tools for documentation, education, and innovation. This article offers the collective opinion of 14 authors from the field of veterinary neurology on the contemporary value of case reports in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery. This paper resulted from the accumulated individual authors' opinions, which are provided in full in the Supplementary Material file.Case reports (Box 1) offer an opportunity to challenge and advance what is known. They can be key to solving difficult and rare cases or form the basis of endeavors to explore new therapies and management approaches. Such reports will interest and aid those in general practice, more so specialists engaged in neurology. N ovelty is often a factor of interest in these reports. However, not all case reports can, or need be novel and some will be justified if confirming or modifying findings in earlier communications, or describing the occurrence of syndromes in additional (different) animal breeds or global regions. Novelty is not the sole factor that comes into play when assessing the value of case reports. Even when similar diagnoses have been reported before, confirmation of earlier treatment results or rather contradictory outcomes can be of further value in the management of future cases. Surely, the conclusions in a few case reports may eventually prove to be erroneous but progress in medicine is always a work in progress.Case reports introduce something new, and it is novelty that often inspires a case report to be written, which then opens the door to future research. Indeed, a novel patient that inspires a case report may trigger decades of investigation in its wake. For example, the first description of Alzheimer's Disease was a modest case report (9,10). Few have such an exceptional and lasting impact. In veterinary neurology, a case report described the first case of 'neurogenic lameness', occurring in a pelvic limb due to a lateralized lumbar disc extrusion in a dog (11). This was important because it clarified a confusing clinical presentation. Another impactful case report led to the identification of Neospora caninum which hitherto had been masquerading as Toxoplasma gondii; nowadays, there is extensive literature about this protozoan and its impact in several species ( 12,13). A series of reports on pituitary surgery in dogs and cats have offered a revolutionary way to treat various pituitary diseases and have broadened the scope of these disorders (14)(15)(16). The introduction of additive manufacturing (e.g. personalized 3D-implants) in veterinary medicine for complex orthopedic, neurologic, and oncologic cases are recently also documented through case reports (17).Case reports can be classified based on the number of cases presented, their pattern of occurrence, or their focus (e.g. treatment protocol). Types include :- A type of single-patient trial using crossover comparisons (e.g., treatment vs. placebo) within the same individual. Designed to assess efficacy or tolerability in that specific patient and bridge the gap between clinical trials and individual care. First-in-man (or first-in-dog/cat/…) clinical case reports introduce a novel treatment in patients for which safety and efficacy was first tested in in vitro studies and/or experimental small animals (e.g. rodents).Standardized formats like CARE guidelines (8) can increase consistency and quality of case reports.Case reports can inform and reveal the necessary next step . They may explore and question the pathophysiology of diseases, raise potential toxicities, and warn about possible infectious disease outbreaks on the horizon. By presenting real-world clinical scenarios and challenges, they serve as excellent learning tools for students, practitioners, and researchers. They can illustrate clinical reasoning, disease management, and up -to-date techniques. Students and practitioners alike benefit from real clinical examples that reinforce diagnostic reasoning and elucidate anatomical-pathological correlations.For many young veterinarians, writing a case report is their first experience in the world of scientific publishing. It offers valuable lessons in precisely documenting clinical observations and investigations, presenting a meaningful discussion of findings, and responding to peer review critiques.For example, a case report describing a cat with myokymia and neuromyotonia was published in 2005 (19). Years later, one of the authors (NO) was contacted by a veterinarian about a cat with similar clinical signs. Treatment was guided by the previously published report and led to a positive outcome for the cat. While this does not constitute formal evidence for clinical decision -making, it nevertheless positively impacted the life of one cat-and that might make all the difference.Specifically for the field of neuro-oncology and neurosurgery, case reports sometimes provide the best level of knowledge and can give new insights into the occurrence and diagnostic characteristics (including histopathological examinations) of certain tumor types. Recent case reports that documented unusual tumor types affecting the central nervous system or tumors affecting the central nervous system in remarkable patients (e.g. young age) often include diagnostic imaging study characteristics in addition to detailed clinical findings that help clinicians and pathologists to make the most out of such rare cases (20)(21)(22).The language of case reports should reflect moderation and caution (23). With limited case numbers, broad generalizations are to be avoided but excessive reserve is unnecessary and might discourage further research. What is learned from a single case should not be generalized and conclusions drawn should recognize the limitations inherent in a single example. Gaps in knowledge should be clearly indicated. Much of the current knowledge in the field of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery relies on reports including small case numbers or observational studies that are inherently limited in determining causation or treatment efficacy . This is highlighted, for instance, by a recent review on the treatment of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin in dogs (2 4). Even when putting all the data of small case number-studies together, the ability to draw conclusions is limited. Indeed, the authors would encourage taking inspiration from case reports to collaborate in multi-center studies, especially in treatment case series or prospectively designed, randomized, blinded studies, in order to get a reasonable sample size allowing statistically meaningful analysis.In academic assessment, case reports generally carry less weight than original research articles, which are based on more robust methodologies and include studies conducted under defined conditions with treatment and control groups. However, case reports can reflect sharp observational skills or the ability to interpret seemingly contradictory clinical findings, which lead to an important breakthrough in medical knowledge, or in hypothesis generation. The best of case reports are major contributions. A study in the human medical literature showed that about 25% of case reports from The Lancet led to subsequent larger studies, illustrating that case reports can play a crucial role in generating hypotheses that can lead to larger studies (18).While case reports do not offer statistically significant proof in the way that large -scale studies or randomized controlled trials do, their value extends beyond mere statistical rigor. The argument that their low ranking in the evidence hierarchy diminishes their worth overlooks the critical role they play in medical knowledge and practice. Case reports sometimes serve as vital documentation for rare conditions that otherwise may be ignored in favor of major syndromes where a foundation of knowledge already exists. Case reports of the unusual can provide the breakthroughs that "get the ball rolling," acting as catalysts for larger and more comprehensive studies guided by the initial findings. Additionally, they provide insights into unusual treatment responses, adverse effects, and complications that may not yet be broadly recognized. What can be viewed as a case report is the 'Nof-1 clinical trial', a type of single -patient study that uses crossover comparisons of different treatments (e.g., treatment versus placebo) within the same individual. This type of trial may actually be one of the most reliable ways of determining the efficacy of treatment in that particular patient .Similarly, first-in-man and first-in-dog/cat case reports or series can serve as vital links between 'benchtop' and 'bedside' studies. These reports are essential for establishing the safety and feasibility (though not efficacy) of novel treatments, particularly when placebo -controlled studies are not feasible-such as with the introduction of a new surgical technique. Even when extensive preliminary work has been conducted in vitro, in silico, ex vivo in cadavers, and in vivo in animal models (e.g., mice, rats, or rabbits), transitioning to patient studies remains a major leap ; experimental animals with induced disease may not respond the same way as veterinary or human patients with naturally occurring disease. Ethically approved first-in-patient studies and case reports are therefore crucial early-stage contributions that pave the way for large -scale, prospective, randomized clinical trials aimed at evaluating efficacy and informing evidence -based practice. They can catalyze developments from bench top to bedside. In this context, veterinary patients also play a unique role as translational animal models for spontaneous diseases shared between humans, dogs, and cats. This growing field, known as One Health -One Medicine, has generated numerous case reports that have benefitted both humans and their companion animals in meaningful, bidirectional ways (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31).The role of case reports as educational tools is also undeniable , both for the authors, who must use critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, and for readers, who gain exposure to diagnostic and treatment challenges. Furthermore, in situations where more comprehensive studies are not feasible due to ethical or logistical constraints, case reports offer the best available evidence. As already stated, new diseases or syndromes often first emerge in the form of case reports with full comprehension only following additional interrogation. Perhaps most importantly, case reports inspire scientific curiosity by drawing attention to unique or unexpected cases ; they encourage deeper inquiry and innovation. Their value, therefore, should not be judged solely on their ability to present a case but rather on their broader contributions to medical progress, education, and discovery.Evaluating the value of a case report could benefit from a structured, quantitative approach. One example is the scoring system proposed by Pierson (32), although it is subject to variation between assessors. This method assesses reports based on their uniqueness, documentation quality, objectivity, interpretation, and educational value, each scored from 0 to 2, with a maximum of 10 points. A total score of 9-10 indicates a valuable contribution, 6 -8 warrants cautious interpretation, and 5 or less suggests the report may not meet publication standards. Such frameworks support both authors and reviewers in assessing the potential impact and quality of a case report, fostering consistency and transparency in evaluating their merit.The necessity of peer review of case reports has been questioned ( 33). Collectively, the authors of this opinion piece consider peer review to be of continued importance in case reports to verify the credibility of findings and conclusions. Reviewers play a crucial role in evaluating information and where needed, will request further investigations such as the examination of medical records or images or overlooked prior publications. Case reports have been compared with letters to the editor or website posts which can quickly disseminate clinical observations. However, these often lack rigorous peer review, and so again may be less credible and potentially ambiguous, leaving the reader to decide whether believable or not.Peer review of case reports extends beyond validating scientific claims; it also supports the refinement of clinical storytelling and encourages a balanced discussion of (the impact of) errors, uncertainties, and decision-making under pressure. Given that case reports may describe scenarios where standard protocols were not feasible or applicable, such as lack of access to advanced diagnostic testing modalities, reviewers with broad clinical experience are well positioned to recognize both the challenges and the ingenuity involved. Their feedback can enhance the informative value of the report and ensure that the lessons drawn are appropriately contextualized. When formal studies are not feasible, thoughtful peer review can convert anecdotal insights into useful clinical knowledge.In summary, the strengths and limitations of case reports (and ways to deal with them) are listed as follows:Strengths of case reports• Document unusual or new diseases, unexpected treatment responses, or novel complications. o For rare diseases, they may provide the best available evidence of the presentation, clinical signs and course of action. • Document the presence of known diseases in circumstances (e.g. geographical areas)previously not reported or thought exempt of disease (f.i. since a certain date) with legislative or One Health/zoonotic consequences (e.g. rabies).• Inspire further research.• Provide rich, in-depth descriptions of patient history, diagnostic workup, treatment course, and outcomes. • Trigger clinical innovation by proof-of-concept.• Describe safety and feasibility of novel treatments in first-in-man or first-in-dog/cat studies; serve as a translational link between 'benchtop' and 'bedside'. • Serve as excellent learning tools.• Highlight new therapeutic options.• Are associated with low costs compared to formal studies.• Can help detect and inform of new, rare, or late-onset adverse drug reactions (pharmacovigilance). • Are useful when ethical constraints prevent experimental research , or are inevitable when translating novel treatments from the 'benchtop' (in vitro, in silico, ex vivo cadaver studies) via in vivo experimental animals to the 'bedside' (human and veterinary patients). • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration which extends beyond patient care to a shared manuscript preparation. • Can serve as sentinels for domestic family violence as reflected by animal abuse causing nonaccidental injuries.• Provide a realistic view of the clinical context, including decision -making challenges and socioeconomic considerations (factors involving social dynamics and financial constraints that may influence decision -making or outcomes) that are often underrepresented in research articles. o Keep the rare case in perspective: atypical presentation of known disorders is more common than something brand new. Discuss how the case contributes to broader clinical knowledge, such as differential diagnosis approaches. o Avoid overemphasizing novelty when this is not the main point of the report, such as use of "this is the first…" type of sentences .In the context of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery, case reports are invaluable for documenting what is new, rare and novel, generating research questions, and providing educational insights ; they often make for interesting reading. They inspire and propel the field forward. Despite limitations, they remain an essential component of medical literature when interpreted with appropriate caution and scholarly rigor. They offer unique opportunities for specialists to share their insights and contribute to the collective knowledge, ultimately benefiting animal health. They serve the One Health -One Medicine field for humans and animals. If not immediately, eventually they will be helpful in some circumstance, somewhere, sometime. Their value lies not in statistical significance, but in their power to inform, share invaluable clinical experience, and provoke thought and inquiry.In conclusion, it is the collective opinion of the authors that while case reports have limitations, if these constraints are kept in mind, their contributions to clinical practice, education, and research are significant.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Current practices for diagnosis and management of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in the United States

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-10-29 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Introduction: There are currently no accepted guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS). The objective of this study was to describe the current diagnostic and management practices regarding CCDS by veterinarians in the United States (US). Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to veterinary practitioners from January to May 2025. The survey included questions regarding patient population, CCDS diagnosis and treatment and client interactions. Results: A total of 318 survey responses were obtained from veterinarians who saw companion dogs regularly. Nearly all (97.2%) had made a diagnosis of CCDS in their career, citing patient history and clinical signs/ behavioral changes as the tools they use to make a diagnosis. Most veterinarians (approximately 80%) rarely or never referred their potential CCDS cases to a veterinary specialist. When managing their CCDS patients, pharmaceuticals are most often recommended, specifically selegiline. Selegilline was also considered most effective in managing CCDS, however this view was held by only about 30% of veterinarians. Responses reflected uncertainty regarding best practices and treatment efficacies, with veterinarians citing lack of knowledge and owner-related barriers such as lack of interest or financial constraints as factors which hinder treatment recommendations. Discussion: Results from this survey underscore there are still significant gaps in knowledge as to best practices for the diagnosis and management of CCDS. Clear CCDS diagnostic and management guidelines are needed to support veterinarians and address the therapeutic needs of patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Aging is modifiable: current perspectives on healthy aging in companion dogs and cats

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2025-10-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Aging is a universal, continuous, and complex process in which an animal's biological ability to resist, react to, and recover from environmental stressors declines and there is an alteration of physiological processes in response to accumulating cellular damage. In companion dogs and cats, aging is often perceived as an unmodifiable decline in physical and mental capabilities combined with increased morbidity, all aligned with chronological age. An insufficient understanding of healthy aging means missed opportunities to alter the trajectory of health span and maintain overall quality of life despite those changes that are inevitable. We believe that the course of aging is modifiable throughout an individual's entire life, with healthy, or successful, aging being an achievable goal. We explored herein 3 aspects of healthy aging: the need for a better scientific understanding of aging processes in dogs and cats and practical potential of biological aging clocks; a meaningful definition of healthy aging; and greater use of validated clinical monitoring tools and resources. A universal, meaningful, and actionable definition of healthy aging is needed to dissociate aging from declining health and poor quality of life in all their manifestations. The unique relationship between pets and their caregivers may demand a more expansive definition than that for humans. We propose that healthy aging in dogs and cats should be regarded as aging in which the individual maintains functional capabilities and develops resilience sufficient to meet their own physical, behavioral, social, and emotional needs throughout all adult life stages, while sustaining the human-animal bond.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Study of changes in brain dynamics during sleep cycles in dogs under effect of trazodone

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-06-17

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Sleep is a fundamental biological process essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall health in both humans and animals. Dogs, in particular, share many physiological and neurological similarities with humans, making them a valuable model for sleep research. Similar to humans, dogs can experience sleep disorders that disrupt sleep cycles and impair cognitive function. While serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs), like trazodone, have been shown to alleviate these conditions in dogs, their underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of trazodone on brain dynamics in healthy dogs using electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis. We compared treated subjects with a control group by characterizing EEG activity across wakefulness, drowsiness, Non-REM (NREM), and REM sleep states. Hypnogram analysis was used to assess sleep architecture, including alterations in cycle patterns and time spent in each stage. Additionally, we examined linear and non-linear EEG dynamics using Power Spectral Density (PSD), Permutation Entropy (PE), and Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC), as well as connectivity changes through Phase Lag Index (PLI) and coherence analysis. Our findings indicate that trazodone significantly alters sleep structure by modifying sleep cycles, reducing power in lower frequency bands across most sleep stages, and increasing power in frequencies above 13 Hz during Drowsiness and NREM. Furthermore, treated dogs exhibited increased signal entropy and complexity in lower frequency bands across all sleep stages, along with a reduction in brain connectivity in most stages and frequency bands. These results provide new insights into the short-term effects of trazodone on brain activity during sleep, with potential implications for its clinical use as a sleep aid in dogs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Breed-specific variations in canine spinal cord anatomy: conus medullaris and dural sac termination and filum terminale internum length

  BMC Veterinary Research · 2025-10-21 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Limited research exists on breed differences in conus medullaris termination (CMT), dural sac termination (DST), and filum terminale internum length (FTIL). Dramatic vertebral column variations exist among breeds, suggesting possible differences in caudal spinal cord structures. This retrospective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study aimed to investigate breed-related differences with three cohorts of dogs. Cohort 1 consisted of 117 dogs without spinal cord compression (SCC) to identify demographic influences. Cohort 2 included 37 Corgis with and without SCC to assess if SCC affects the CMT, DST, or FTIL. Cohort 3 comprised 163 dogs to assess the effects of tail morphology and breed. RESULTS: In Cohort 1, heavier dogs had a more cranial CMT and DST (p=<0.001) and longer FTIL (p<0.001, R=0.47). Controlling with L2 mitigated this effect for FTIL (p=0.09, R=-0.16). Age was not associated with CMT or DST, but correlated with FTIL/L2 (p<0.001, R=0.31). Sex had no impact. Most breeds had their CMT at L6. Only Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) and Corgis reached the sacrum, while Boston Terriers ended more cranially at L5 or L6. Cohort 2 showed no significant difference in CMT, DST or FTIL/L2 between Corgis with and without SCC (p=0.5, 0.18, and 0.46, respectively). In Cohort 3, weight and tail type affected CMT and DST (p<0.001). Ninety-six percent of normal tailed dogs had a CMT at L6 or L7 while screw tailed breeds ranged from L4-L7 and CKCS terminated at L7 or in the sacrum. These trends were similar for the DST. FTIL/L2 differed between groups with CKCS having a higher ratio and widest range and screw tails the lowest ratio (p<0.001) compared to normal tails. Among breed investigation, CMT differed for CKCS, Corgis, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs versus normal tailed dogs (p<0.001). Similarly, DST varied among breed and by weight (p=<0.001). CKCS and German Shepherds had higher FTIL/L2 ratios, while Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, and Labradors were lower than other breeds. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of considering breed when evaluating the caudal spinal cord anatomy. Variation in the CMT, DST, and FTIL were influenced by weight, tail-type, and breed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Karen R. Muñana

  North Carolina State University

  76 shared

• Nicholas Sharp

  Nvidia (United States)

  59 shared

• Christopher L. Mariani

  North Carolina State University

  43 shared

• Peter J. Early

  North Carolina State University

  40 shared

• Todd M. Skeen

  Carolina Veterinary Specialists

  30 shared

• Miyoko Saito

  Azabu University

  28 shared

• W. Brent Tarver

  MicroTransponder (United States)

  25 shared

• Susanne M. Vitek

  North Carolina State University

  25 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Animal Science

  University of California, Davis

  1996

• M.S., Animal Science

  University of California, Davis

  1992

• B.S., Animal Science

  University of California, Davis

  1989

Awards & honors

• Faculty Achievement Award from the American Association of V…
• Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson Distinguished Cha…