School of Veterinary Medicine
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1884, and has a long-standing tradition as a global leader in veterinary medicine education, research, and clinical care, with a tradition of compassionate clinical expertise, intellectual rigor and the pursuit of innovative thinking.
Our mission at Penn Vet is to train the next generation of veterinary leaders to advance healthcare outcomes and access, ensure global health, bolster sustainable agriculture, support interdisciplinary career paths, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.
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Publication A Call to Action: Companion Animal Welfare Determination at the Clinical Veterinary Encounter(2024) Indu ManiThere is a dearth of animal welfare education and implementation in the companion animal medical setting, which may cause many companion animals to suffer diminished welfare without veterinarian or pet owner recognition or awareness. Patient suffering and clinical moral distress may be common sequelae of the lack of companion animal welfare assessment, since quality of life measurements, commonly used in veterinary medicine, may not be adequate substitutes for welfare assessment. This capstone will propose the creation of a companion animal welfare tool at the point of clinical care powered by artificial intelligence, with the primary goal of objective, unbiased, valid, and reliable welfare assessment to identify and improve poor welfare in patients. This will provide ongoing welfare education to practitioners as another medical indicator of patient status.Dataset Evaluation of digital radiographic measurements for the diagnosis of acute laminitis(2024-05-14) Andrew van Eps; Georgia Skelton; Darko Stefanovski; Elizabeth AcuttBackground: Traditional radiographic measurements of distal phalanx (Pd) displacement are not useful for diagnosis and monitoring of acute laminitis. Objectives: To compare LLZ between healthy horses and those with acute or subacute laminitis. We hypothesized that the distance between the inner hoof wall and Pd (“lamellar lucent zone”; LLZ) measured on lateromedial digital radiographs would be increased in acute and subacute laminitis. Study design: Retrospective and in vivo experimental study. Methods: Forelimb radiographs from 32 healthy and 18 laminitic mixed-breed horses were analyzed retrospectively. Laminitis was defined by at least 2 clinical signs (acute multi-limb lameness, increased digital pulse amplitude and/or persistently warm hooves) for ≤ 3 days (acute), or >3 and ≤14 days (subacute) duration, without overt palmar rotation (≥ 3°), remodeling, or distal displacement of the Pd. Twelve measurements including LLZ at proximal, middle, and distal locations were performed on 126 forelimb radiographs that met the criteria for acute laminitis (n=39), sub-acute laminitis (n=23) or healthy control (n=64). A mixed effects linear regression model was used for comparisons and a receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve created for select measurements. Results: The marginal mean [95% confidence interval] LLZ (mm) was increased in acute and subacute laminitis compared to control in the proximal (acute=8.8 [8.4-9.2]; subacute=9 [8.4-9.5]; control=7.3 [6.9-7.7]), middle (acute=8.9 [8.5-9.3] ; subacute=9.1 [8.6-9.6]; control=6.9 [6.5-7.2]), and distal (acute=9.2 [8.6-9.7]; subacute=10.2 [9.5-10.9]; control=7.5 [7-8]) dorsal lamellar regions (P<0.001). At a cut-off of >7.5 mm for middle LLZ, sensitivity was 87% and specificity 91% for diagnosis of acute laminitis. Using the ratio of middle LLZ to distal phalanx cortical length, sensitivity and specificity were 95% (cutoff >0.11). Main Limitations: Lack of histological confirmation of acute laminitis. Conclusions and clinical importance: LLZ measurements are potentially useful for radiographic diagnosis of acute and subacute laminitis.Dataset Climate Change as a Wildlife Health Threat: A Scoping Review(2024-10-17) Greening, Sabrina; Pascarosa, Lucie; Munster, Avery; Gagne, Roderick; Ellis, JulieBackground: The definition of wildlife health continues to expand with the recognition that health is more than the absence of disease. As climate-associated impacts on wildlife health become inevitable, it is increasingly important to integrate concepts such as vulnerability, adaption, and resilience into wildlife health research, surveillance, and management actions. Here, we performed a scoping review to identify literature from 2008 onwards with a focus on climate change impacts on wildlife health. The literature fed into an AI-based thematic analysis which was used to describe the scope and depth of existing literature and identify key themes and knowledge gaps that are important to consider in future wildlife health frameworks. The themes identified in the analysis were then manually reviewed and refined by interpreting them in context. Results: In total, 2,249 citations were retrieved from the literature search. After applying a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 372 papers were retrieved and split into one of two groups: 1) papers focusing on climate-associated impacts on wildlife health and 2) papers focusing on climate-associated impacts on vector distribution. Thematic analyses were performed separately on each group although results from both groups identified aspects of the host as a top theme including immunological response, physiological stress response, and body size for group one and host population density, host-vector-pathogen interactions, and the importance of reservoir host species for group 2. Conclusions: A large number of the papers retrieved in the literature search focused on how climate change impacts the distribution and abundance of host, vector, and pathogen species, remaining disease-centric in their approach. Themes related to potential management actions, with the exception of vector control, were found across only a limited number of papers reflecting some uncertainty on how best to respond and prepare for climate change as a threat to wildlife health.Publication The Role of Farmer Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Animal Welfare Audits and the Impact on Animal Welfare Outcomes(2024) Cassity, LockardConsumers consider a number of factors when making purchasing decisions. Among the common drivers such as price, convenience, taste, and health, sustainability has also emerged as an important influence in society. Although sustainability is a broad term, animal welfare falls under this umbrella as an ethical consideration and viewpoint consumers reportedly care about. As a result, the assessment of animal welfare has become an essential practice driven by the increasing concerns to provide assurances that farmers are meeting industry standards for animal welfare expectations. To provide this assurance, animal welfare programs, standards, and schemes have emerged, with animal welfare audits a common component of these programs used to assess the welfare of animals. These animal welfare audits are one of the most commonly utilized mechanisms to ensure these standards are being met, as can be supported by market claims and certifications. With the evidence that attitudes impact animal welfare, this paper explores farmer attitudes and perceptions towards animal welfare audits more specifically, and the impact they have on animal welfare and animal welfare outcomes. Due to the gaps between farmer and consumer, the complexities of animal welfare audits, extraneous variables unrelated to animal welfare that influence farmer perceptions during the audit process, as well as conflicting welfare goals that may not align with farmer beliefs, it may not be possible to separate these factors from interfering with these perceptions. As a result, more research is needed in order to determine how audits and farmer attitudes and perceptions towards audits influence animal welfare.Publication A SURVEY TO EVALUATE OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF THE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE AND WELFARE OF CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) UNDERGOING REHABILITATION AT RESCUE CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.(2024) Megan Ann KoehnCalifornia sea lions are one of the most common pinniped species to strand along the United States west coast, particularly along California coastlines. While data on the number of strandings that occur on a yearly basis, analyses of why they strand, and the criteria for an individual to be released are well documented, knowledge gaps still persist. The welfare of marine mammals under permanent human care has been studied; although more is known about cetacean welfare than pinnipeds. However much less is known about the welfare of many marine mammals during rehabilitation, and particularly about California sea lions. Thus, a survey of those supervising the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process of these animals promises a clearer understanding of the animal experience, and thus hopeful indications of their general welfare, when undergoing rehabilitation. Data collected from survey answers will serve in exploring a wide array of topics related to the rehabilitation process. These topics include those directly related to the animals as well as the administrative background of these facilities. This survey will serve as a way to better understand the interconnectivity of each aspect of the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process while also identifying areas of the process that are thriving and those that may need improvement or further exploration.Publication An evaluation of the awareness of the 3Rs within biomedical research institutions(2024) Jennifer DavisApproximately 1.1 million laboratory rodents (mice and rats) are used for biomedical research in the United States (Carbone, 2021). Contributing to the large animal numbers is the genetically modified mouse. Hundreds, if not thousands, of different strains of mice have been developed to better understand human disease. The principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement, known as the 3Rs, are crucial in ensuring the ethical treatment of research animals. In accordance with US federal law, it is the responsibility of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to oversee the ethical use of animals in biomedical research. Many biomedical research institutions continue to face challenges in upholding the principles of the ‘3Rs’, particularly in the aspect of reduction. Here I assess the promotion of the 3Rs, specifically reduction, and welfare in the regulations and standards set by the US government for research involving animals. Additionally, NIH-funded peer institutional policies and staff training related to laboratory mouse breeding and colony management were also examined. Upon review and in line with the existing literature, it is crucial to consistently emphasize the significance of the 3Rs and animal welfare to research staff. These principles should be integral to training programs, actively implemented by all individuals engaged in animal research oversight, and regularly referenced by regulatory agencies.Publication CARING FOR CUTTLEFISH: WELFARE CONSIDERATIONS IN CAPTIVE SCIENTIFIC SETTINGS(2023) Byrne, LeahCuttlefish, with their extraordinary physiology and uncanny camouflage abilities, are captivating and alien creatures. Their allure has long captured the human imagination, and the history of their use as subjects of scholarly examination can be traced at least as far back as Aristotle (Nakajima et al. 2018). This fascination continues to this day and fuels contemporary experimental research, where the use of cuttlefish as laboratory animals is on the rise (Vidal et al. 2014; O’Brien et al. 2018). While research scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of these enigmatic animals, present understanding of cuttlefish welfare remains relatively limited. This paper aims to provide a broad overview of cuttlefish biology and behaviour, and to draw connections between this knowledge base and current welfare practices, as well as potential applications for advancements in captive cuttlefish welfare. Welfare considerations that will be explored include those associated with housing conditions, dietary needs, sensitivity to environmental stimuli, enrichment strategies, and pain management. I will also point to some of the areas where uncertainties persist, in the hope of inspiring curiosity and encouraging further welfare-focused exploration in the general reader.Publication THE HUMANE HUMAN PROJECT: A CASE FOR SUPPORT AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATFORM(2023) Eggers, MeredithIn a world where intensive farming methods have become standard practice and the source from which most marketed animal products are derived, there is limited transparency around farming practices and welfare standards. Consumers lack exposure to and awareness of the implications their purchasing decisions have on farm animal welfare. Because of the focus on driving profits and market share, large industrial farms and the corporations that own and run them would prefer to keep it this way. The Humane Human Project was developed, while I was a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and became more aware of the issues that face consumers who want to make more human purchases, farmers who want to implement higher welfare farming practices, and the billions of animals impacted by intensive farming. Humane Human will address these issues by providing consumers with transparent, unbiased information across all species of food animals. It will identify how to source humanely bred, raised, handled, and harvested animal products all in one place. And ultimately it will create a marketplace where these items can be bought and sold. Structured as a non-profit, foundation, focused solely on animal products sourced from high-welfare purveyors and producers, Humane Human will bring motivated consumers and producers together and drive increased demand for high-welfare animal products.Publication REFORMING THE LIVESTOCK INDEMNITY PROGRAM TO IMPROVE FARM ANIMAL WELFARE(2024) Massey, Cameron KrierEach year, extreme weather events put the lives and well-being of millions of farm animals at risk. These events can lead to injury, suffering, acute and chronic stress, decreased productivity, and loss of life. As storms increase in frequency and intensity, efforts should be made to ensure livestock are protected. In this paper, I propose modifications to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), a federally run disaster assistance program that compensates livestock owners and growers for animal deaths and reduced value caused by eligible conditions, including extreme weather. Surprisingly, the program does not require producers to show proof and use of a disaster mitigation plan before drawing down indemnity payments. I believe this is a missed opportunity to better safeguard animal welfare and compromises the fiscal integrity of the program. The value of emergency planning is recognized by federal agencies, lawmakers, advocates, researchers, and many sectors of the livestock industry as an important (or essential) aspect of ensuring animal welfare. Furthermore, an analysis of publicly available data shows that LIP payments have been made to some of the same counties 15 out of 15 years. Repeat payments demonstrate a reliance on the program and proof that animal suffering and death is occurring extensively in some parts of the country. In this paper, I will advance a position that tying disaster planning to the LIP, whether through incentives or a mandate, is a prudent and overdue policy change to the program. The impact of extreme weather on livestock is reviewed, including methods of assessing welfare. The LIP is detailed, including the program’s purpose, participation criteria, and payment data. Past and current congressional and advocate efforts to reform the LIP are presented. New approaches to federal reforms are proposed, as well as a review of private sector engagement opportunities to advance farm animal protections during weather disasters. As extreme weather increases so will the impact on farm animals and cost of compensating ranchers through the LIP. Congressional oversight and reforms of the LIP are urgently needed to better protect farm animals and taxpayer funding of the program.Publication Preliminary characterization of behavioral traits in a feline renal transplant donor colony.(2023) Binstock, JonahJ. Binstock Final Capstone Presentation titled "Preliminary characterization of behavioral traits in a feline renal transplant donor colony."