NC State College of Veterinary Medicine ophthalmology and Large Animal Hospital teams with patient, Myra. To Myra's immediate left is Erin Barr, RVT. To Myra's immediate right is Michala Henriksen, DVM, PhD, and Brian C. Gilger, DVM, MS, DACVO, respectively. (Photo credit: John Joyner / NC State College of Veterinary Medicine)

Ophthalmologists from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine successfully completed the most extensive resections and corneal transplants ever documented in a horse.

 This groundbreaking procedure involved replacing approximately 60% of the right cornea of a show-jumping Dutch warmblood horse named Myra. Michelle Carnes, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), veterinary neurosurgeon, and her husband acquired Myra in the Netherlands last fall. Myra developed an eye injury during her relocation from the Netherlands to the United States, unknown to her owners as to how she got the injury. Eventually, the injury led to a corneal infection exacerbated by a fungus that posed a significant threat to her eye.

As Myra's infection progressed, Carnes sought out help from ophthalmologists across the East Coast and ultimately chose the NC State Veterinary Hospital team. “If anybody was going to be able to save Myra’s eye, it was the NC State team,” Carnes stated in the NC State news release.

However, before the show horse came to NC State, she was first seen at the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which is closer to her farm in Tryon, North Carolina, and Myra was diagnosed with a treatment-resistant stromal abscess.

“That, as a horse owner, is a devastating diagnosis, because you know that condition can go south really, really fast,” Carnes said.

Following this diagnosis, Carnes brought Myra to NC State where Brian C. Gilger, DVM, MS, DACVO, professor of ophthalmology and Michala Henriksen, DVM, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology took on the case at the NC State hospital. The innovative approach NC State took included the application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) proteins onto Myra's eye to promote healing.

 The university’s unique research in exploring PRF use for veterinary ocular surgery and the facility’s ultra-high-frequency ultrasound gave Myra the best chance at recovery. NC State is one of few universities nationwide with this advanced ultrasonic device, which lets ophthalmologists see deeper into the eye in more detail than traditional scans allow.

“This ultra-high-frequency ultrasound really transforms how we’re managing these horses’ eyes, because we can see so much better where the disease really is,” Gilger explained. “It allows us to see through tissues that are white or opaque and examine underlying structures, something we cannot do with the usual ophthalmic instruments.”

“Generally, if abscesses are greater than a centimeter in diameter, we know that there’s a very low chance of actually saving the eye, even after surgery. Myra’s measured about 1.4 to 1.6 centimeters,” Gilger continued.

Brian C. Gilger, DVM, MS, DACVO, professor of ophthalmology with Myra. (Photo credit: John Joyner / NC State College of Veterinary Medicine)

To start Myra’s treatment, the ophthalmologist team decided to try antifungal and anti-inflammatory treatments, including luliconazole, a medication that Gilger professionally researches for its use in horses.

 This treatment worked at first, and Myra was discharged. Unfortunately, after taking another look at the horse’s imaging, it showed Myra’s abscess resisting treatment and breaking into the anterior chamber of the eye. Myra was quickly scheduled for a surgical resection and corneal transplant.

After removing over half of Myra’s cornea, the veterinary team sutured in cryopreserved cornea from a deceased horse whose owner consented to donation. A conjunctival graft was placed over the corneal graft to protect the horse’s eye from any further infection and to help encourage tissue regeneration and healing.

With one more challenge thrown their way, Myra’s conjunctival graft unexpectedly detached within 2 weeks, revealing that her cornea had ulcerated underneath. The ulcer showed few signs of regrowing its protective epithelial layer on its own, so the team decided to introduce growth factors to kick-start the tissue repair with the PFR proteins.

Henriksen has studied the clinical use of PRF in dogs with corneal ulcerations and has found it successful in healing the injuries quickly.

 “It’s basically tissue glue with healing power, and in Myra’s case, it led to a drastic improvement in her vascularization, or how her blood vessels were growing into the graft, and boosted her scar tissue healing,” Henriksen said.

Michala Henriksen, DVM, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology, with Myra. (Photo credit: John Joyner / NC State College of Veterinary Medicine)

After multiple treatments, Myra is now expected to retain much of her central vision in her right eye but will not recover her hind vision, “like she has built-in blinkers,” Henriksen explained. Although there may be visible opaque scar tissue on her cornea, Myra has received clearance to return home and is fully capable of exercising and competing in jumping events.

“As a person who is in the veterinary profession, I know how difficult it can be sometimes and you get busy, but everybody on the ophthalmology service, the doctors, residents, students, and the technicians, they were all absolutely lovely. And Myra keeping her eye is a testament not only to the expertise of the team, but the unmatched compassion and love they showed her. They continually went above and beyond with Myra’s care and their communication with me. All of their updates made it easier to be away from her. At that point, NC State knew her better than I did,” Carnes said. “She’s doing great on a fitness plan to give her time to build up her strength. Myra loves having so much more space now and has outbursts where she bucks out of joy.”

“When a horse reaches out to your heart like that, it’s really hard not to get attached. Everybody’s invested, from the treatment technicians to the overnight staff and the people who cleaned her stall. From the ophthalmology team to the whole equine hospital team, it really was just an incredible group effort,” said Erin Barr, RVT, specializing in technician ophthalmology and an NC State hospital employee.

Rice K. Groundbreaking Transplant at NC State Helps Jumping Horse Stay the Course. News release. North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. February 20, 2024. Accessed February 21, 2024. https://news.cvm.ncsu.edu/myra-carnes-corneal-transplant/

Charbonneau M. July 2020 research roundup. North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. July 23, 2020. Accessed February 21, 2024. https://news.cvm.ncsu.edu/july-2020-research-roundup/

Baadsgaard Bruun L, Waskiw Hardon TA, Havnsøe Krogh AK, et al. The use of a “horizontal centrifugation protocol” to prepare autologous platelet-rich fibrin membranes for corneal reconstruction surgery in dogs with complicated corneal ulcerations: A case series. 

Articles

NC State University ophthalmologists help a show-jumping horse after an eye infection becomes severe 

The largest equine corneal transplant ever reported

The opening of new veterinary clinics in local communities marks a significant stride towards enhanced pet care and wider access to care. These state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with modern technology and staffed by skilled veterinary professionals, committed to providing top-notch medical services. As a result, these new clinics offer support for the welfare of pets and help strengthen the human-animal bond.

Here are 3 recent clinic openings across the United States:

Alpharetta Veterinary Specialty & Emergency

A new 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital opened in Alpharetta, Georgia. Located at 3100 Royal Boulevard South, this new facility is 20,580 sq ft and equipped with innovative technology to treat all kinds of emergencies. Alpharetta Veterinary Specialty & Emergency (AVSE) has 12 exam rooms, a CT scan, ultrasounds, an intensive care unit, a dedicated isolation for respiratory and gastrointestinal, a designated feline seating area, and minimally invasive surgical and scoping capabilities.

“The AVSE team is extremely proud and excited to open its doors to Alpharetta,” said Adrianna Ventura, hospital director at AVSE, in a news release. “It is our mission to provide an organic approach to comprehensive specialty and emergency care to our primary care partners and to our pet owner community.”

A new CityVet location will open on Monday, February 26, 2024, in Coppell, Texas. Just north of Dallas at 106 N Denton Tap Rd, this new facility will offer the local community a range of services including preventative care, diagnostics, same-day walk-ins, surgery, grooming, dental care, exotic care, and medical boarding.

New CityVet location in Coppell, TX. (Image courtesy of CityVet)

The new Coppell location will be led by Jana Bryant, DVM, a 2002 graduate of Texas A&M and current resident of Coppell, Texas. Bryant brings over 20 years of experience to her role specializing in an integrative healing approach that includes naturopathic and holistic medicine. Bryant stated in the release, “Coppell has a small-town feel where everyone is warm and welcoming from the moment you meet them. I am excited to be that trusted veterinarian that my neighbors can go to for all of their veterinary services.”

CityVet president and CEO, David Boguslawski said, "We are thrilled to partner with Dr. Bryant on the opening of her second CityVet clinic. We look forward to serving the Coppell community and know she will provide the highest standard of care for our new neighbors and embody the core values that our clients know and love about CityVet.”

This new Dr. Treat clinic is the veterinary network’s second California location and will be its flagship clinic in San Francisco. The San Francisco clinic won a merit award from the dvm360 2023 Hospital Design Competition. The Burlingame clinic is situated at 220 Primrose Rd and officially opened last month.

Dr. Treat is a membership-only clinic that allows members to get unlimited access to the clinic, along with the Dr. Treat mobile app for booking, canceling, or rescheduling appointments, accessing digitized pet medical records, requesting refills on prescriptions, or its telehealth platform.

"We are building one of the most technologically advanced veterinary care companies and creating aesthetically designed spaces for anxiety-free experiences,” said Rakesh Tondon, co-founder and CEO of Dr. Treat, in a company release. “Our goal is to provide best-in-class quality of care for pets and an amazing experience for pet parents, while also driving down costs through the use of technology.”

Alpharetta Veterinary Specialty & Emergency (AVSE) is now open. News release. Alpharetta Veterinary Specialty & Emergency. January 31, 2024. Accessed February 21, 2024.

CityVet, a leading network of veterinary-owned practices, will officially open its doors in Coppell on February 26. News release. CityVet. February 20, 2024. Accessed February 21, 2024.

SF-based veterinary startup Dr. Treat readies second California location. News release. Dr. Treat. December 14, 2023. Accessed February 21, 2024. 

https://www.prweb.com/releases/sf-based-veterinary-startup-dr-treat-readies-second-california-location-302016330.html

Take a look at these 3 veterinary clinics newly opened or coming soon

Clinic center: New veterinary locations opening across the country

Mella Pet Care on Shark Tank (image courtesy of ABC Entertainment) 

Mella Pet Care, a Chicago-based pet care health device, announced today that it will be featured on season 15 of the ABC hit television show 

. The company will present the Mella Home, Mella Pro Smart Thermometers, and the Biggie Body Condition Scale to the sharks with hopes of accelerating product development, expanding distribution channels, and raising brand awareness through invested marketing efforts.

 investors and a national TV audience to our vision for pet care," expressed Anya Babbitt, chief executive officer and co-founder of Mella Pet Care, in an organizational release.

 "With the Sharks’ support, we can expand our product offerings, reach more customers, and continue to revolutionize how we all care for our pets.”

According to the release, the company was founded by Babbitt in 2019 after Mella, her rescue dog, nearly died when she was a puppy due to the lack of diagnosis and prevent her health condition.

 Now, the company is offering a noninvasive axillary thermometer with other products on the horizon such as a body fat analyzer, chip reader, and pulse oximeter. Mella wants their products to enable pet parents to monitor their pets’ vitals as well as intermix with veterinary care.

Ben Seidman, chief operating officer and co-founder, and Daniella Morgan-Pascualvaca, chief of staff will join Babbitt to pitch Mella’s products to Investors Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, and Daniel Lubetzky.

“These are world-class investors with an eye for disruptive technologies,” said Seidman.

is a golden opportunity for us to take another leap forward.”

will help their mission to change pet care technology to help empower pet parents and improve veterinary care as a way to improve a pet's quality of life and help them live longer and happier lives. Mella will pitch their products to the Sharks on March 1, 2024, at 8 PM ET.

Mella Pet Care to appear on ABC’s “Shark Tank” on March 1st with connected pet wellness ecosystem. News release. Mella Pet Care. February 21, 2024. Accessed February 21. 2024.

Mella Pet Care will showcase their products on the hit ABC show next month 

Pet health devices company to appear on Shark Tank

Attendees at the Denim and Diamonds event during the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada (Image courtesy of The Bridge Club). 

The Bridge Club and Chewy Health joined forces to host a benefit at the 2024 Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, Nevada to give back to the veterinary community. The event raised money for The Veterinary Industry Giving Tree (VIGT), a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to veterinary professionals and their families in times of need.

“As a long-time advocate and champion of the veterinary community, we recognize the essential work of organizations like the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree in creating a brighter future for our industry. By supporting veterinary professionals during times of need, we are helping ensure that they can continue to give time and energy to doing what they love most, caring for pets,” said Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, in an organizational release.

 the event, Denim and Diamonds, took place at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on February 17, 2024, during WVC, with support from the Viticus Group, Vetcetera, and Virbac who each provided raffle prizes that would be donated to friends or colleagues as a way to encourage attendees to pay it forward. The event in total raised $10,575 for VIGT with Chewy matching the first $5,000 in funds raised.

"I’m grateful that we can provide this new experience for our guests, Las Vegas style. I’m also thrilled to give back; it's about uniting for a greater cause, fostering community spirit, and making a meaningful impact together," expressed Andrea Davis, CEO of Viticus Group

The Bridge Club is currently accepting nominations for a charity committed to veterinary medicine to benefit from the event at the 2025 Western Veterinary Conference. To learn more or to nominate a charity, visit The Bridge Club website.

The Bridge Club and Chewy Health Focus on Giving at WVC 2024. News release. The Bridge Club. February 19, 2024. Accessed February 20, 2024.

The Give Back Benefit will now be a standing event during the Western Veterinary Conference

Pet health organizations raise over $10,000 for veterinary nonprofit 

The American Kennel Club (AKC) in collaboration with the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) shared the news that it has launched the AKC/AKC CHF Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program. The program is designed to increase veterinary professionals trained to meet the unique needs of working and athletic dogs and dogs needing rehabilitation.

"CHF recognizes that the health and well-being of dogs extend beyond routine healthcare," says Stephanie Montgomery, DVM, PhD, DACVP, CHF chief executive officer. "In supporting a Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, the Foundation demonstrates its continued commitment to advancing veterinary medicine and ensuring that every dog receives the specialized care they deserve based on their unique circumstances."

According to the organizational release, the first call for applications was released by CHF from a veterinary college with approved sports medicine and rehabilitation programs this month. All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of CHF leadership and subject matter experts. The chosen institute will receive $100,000 annually to support a 3-year residency program.

 Then, interested professionals can apply through the 

Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program

According to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), there are about 5,000 working dogs as of 2022 working for federal agencies and about a thousand dogs are in foreign countries working to support antiterrorism efforts and support law enforcement agencies. The GAO completed a study into the welfare and health of working dogs after some agencies’ Officers of Inspector General and the GAO identified areas of concern with the management of federal working dog programs.

The GAO then compiled a list that addressed 18 issues they identified as important to working dogs’ health and welfare. Among those, emergency medical care, routine veterinary care, and routine welfare evaluations were marked as some of the important issues working dogs face.

 Because there is a need to provide these pets the unique care they require, the residency program will be able to produce more specialists and provide care to animals like these.

"This Program will support the training of specialists to care for not only AKC companion and performance sport participants but all dogs. The AKC is passionate about everything related to dogs and proud to support the training of these integral veterinary professionals," said Gina DiNardo, AKC executive secretary.

If accepted into the program, veterinary professionals will begin training in July 2025. The program hopes to continuously grow to award a new residency every year, providing ongoing support for 3 concurrent residents.

The American Kennel Club and AKC Canine Health Foundation Launch a Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program. News release. AKC Canine Health Foundation. February 20, 2024. Accessed February 20, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-kennel-club-and-akc-canine-health-foundation-launch-a-canine-sports-medicine--rehabilitation-residency-program-302064192.html

Working dogs: Federal agencies need to better address health and welfare. US Government Accountability Office. Accessed February 20, 2024. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-104489

The new program aims to have more specialists trained to treat the needs of athletic and working dogs 

New canine sports medicine & rehabilitation residency program launches this month

Ungulates, characterized by their hoofed feet, form a diverse group of mammals including species like horses, deer, cattle, and giraffes. Adapted to specific habitats worldwide, from Africa to North America, these species are essential components of ecosystems.

To understand ungulates’ behaviors, especially those in captivity, a study published in 

investigates the nocturnal behavior of 18 distinct ungulate species across 20 European zoos. Many of these species, including giraffes, African elephants, and others, are native to Africa, emphasizing the importance of understanding their natural behavior even when observed in zoos. Challenges in studying nocturnal behavior in the wild make zoos an accessible and feasible option for observations, providing valuable data that enhances our understanding of these species.

The study, based on the examination of 192 individual animals from various species, reveals insights into the nocturnal rhythms of these ungulates. The analysis goes beyond basic descriptions, delving into the lying-standing cycle and specifically, the time between 2 lying down events, termed as a lying cycle. The study identifies a high degree of rhythmicity in this cycle across species, with notable differences between 

Initial findings highlight age as a significant factor influencing nocturnal behavior. Younger animals exhibit a higher proportion of extremely short lying cycles, indicating potential differences in sleep patterns compared to adults. Additionally, the lying fraction, representing the proportion of time spent lying in a lying cycle, is greater in younger individuals than in their adult counterparts.

Further analysis reveals differences in the median time spent in the REM sleep position based on age. Like humans, younger and subadult animals tend to spend more time in REM sleep during a typical lying phase than adult individuals. Although statistically nonsignificant at the 5% level, these trends are noteworthy, especially considering the potential implications for the well-being and sleep patterns of these ungulates. The average length of periods spent in the REM sleep position ranged from 2.2 minutes to 7.6 minutes, raising questions about potential external factors affecting REM sleep, including environmental conditions and predation risk.

Beyond contributing to behavioral ecology, the investigation emphasizes the relevance of such studies in animal management and husbandry. Knowledge of behavioral patterns can enhance husbandry conditions, ultimately improving animal welfare. While acknowledging variations between zoo and wild environments, the study underscores the valuable insights gained from observing zoo animals, providing a noninvasive and consistent platform for behavioral analysis.

This detailed exploration of nocturnal behavior in ungulates offers a nuanced understanding of their activities during the night, paving the way for enhanced animal welfare assessments and further comparative studies between zoo and wild environments.

Ava Landry is a 2026 PharmD candidate studying veterinary pharmacy at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Gübert J, Schneider G, Hahn‐Klimroth M, Dierkes PW. Nocturnal behavioral patterns of African ungulates in Zoos. 

A new study explores the sleep habits of a diverse group of ungulates