Show-Me State Times

Dog owners from across the country seek care at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, known for its high-quality services. The scientific research conducted by Mizzou's veterinary medicine researchers contributes to improved care for dogs globally. In celebration of National Dog Day on August 26, here are five examples of how Mizzou research benefits dogs and their owners:

1. Killing the bad without harming the good

In 2020, Jeffrey Bryan at Mizzou developed a chemotherapy-free treatment for canine bone cancer. This innovative approach successfully targeted and killed cancer cells in dogs, earning a rare “fast-track designation” from the Food and Drug Administration to treat brain cancer in humans.

2. Barking up the right tree

Two years later, Bryan pioneered the use of “click” chemistry to deliver radiopharmaceuticals more efficiently to tumors in dogs with bone cancer. This method is an example of precision medicine, a focal point of the NextGen Precision Health initiative.

3. Connecting the dots

In 2023, Carol Reinero and Aida Vientós-Plotts at Mizzou explored the connection between respiratory and digestive systems in dogs. Their research indicated that respiratory diseases might lead to digestive issues such as swallowing air or food entering the lungs, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment methods for these conditions.

4. Packing your carry-on… and man's best friend

Travelers historically faced strict quarantine rules when bringing pets from rabies-endemic areas like the U.S. mainland to rabies-free regions. Advocacy led to less restrictive "pet passport" protocols. Now, Mizzou’s Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory offers a rabies antibody testing service that allows pets to travel without quarantine.

5. Serving those who served

The Mizzou Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) partnered with Retrieving Freedom, a Missouri nonprofit organization, in 2020 to train service dogs for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other disabilities. This collaboration aims to enhance the lives of both veterans and service dogs.