CVM News
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine News
Tiny puppy, big heart: Blondie’s second chance receives boost from Auburn University donors
Feb 12, 2026
Blondie, a 2-month-old Shetland Sheepdog puppy, recently came to Auburn University’s Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital with a common but serious congenital heart defect — patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). If left untreated, the condition can significantly shorten a dog’s lifespan. Thanks to the work of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Cardiology Service team and the generosity of Auburn University Tiger Giving Day donors, Blondie should live a long, healthy and happy life.
A pocket-sized tool with life-saving potential for horses
Feb 10, 2026
When a horse becomes suddenly and severely ill, time seems to tighten around each potential decision. A fever. Rapid breathing. An elevated heart rate. Gums taking on a dark red coloration from increased blood flow. For veterinarians and horse owners, these early warning signs point to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can result from pneumonia, post-partum complications, abscesses, gastrointestinal issues and other health problems.
Auburn University Raptor Center hosts Talons, Taps, & Trivia on Feb. 17
Feb 6, 2026
Fans of birds, brews and bites are invited to the Auburn University Raptor Center’s Talons, Taps, & Trivia event on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Auburn-Opelika Tourism, the event will be hosted by New Realm Brewery inside Hey Day Market. The interactive event will include trivia and opportunities to meet the raptor center’s winged ambassadors. Raptor Specialist Katie Pnewski will quiz attendees on birds of prey, the War Eagle tradition and all things Auburn.
Feb 4, 2026
Ray Wilhite’s office at Auburn University is a cabinet of curiosities — a place where ancient bones, thank-you notes and a signature Australian cowboy hat all tell the story of a scientist, teacher and mentor whose passion for anatomy and paleontology is matched only by his devotion to students. For 18 years, Wilhite has served as both anatomy laboratory coordinator for the College of Veterinary Medicine and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History.
Molecular messengers: Decoding a circulatory threat
Jan 30, 2026
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) doesn’t typically announce itself in the form of a stroke or heart attack. The signals are far more subtle – feeling the need to rest while climbing a flight of stairs, experiencing a tightening in the calf muscles while taking a walk or a creeping sensation that normal movement is beginning to slip away.
Spotlighting the CVM’s unique exotics experiences
Jan 26, 2026
Students in Auburn University’s DVM program have ample opportunity for experiential learning with specific subsets of exotic animals. The Journal of American Veterinary Medicine recently highlighted the College of Vet Med’s Aquatic Digital Badge program and clinical course experiences offered by the Auburn University Raptor Center.
Internship program helps address shortage of veterinary technicians
Jan 21, 2026
An internship program gives veterinary technician students hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of patient care, training alongside Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students and rotating through specialties at the Wilford and Kate Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital and the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital.
Department of Clinical Sciences earns Excellence in Education Award
Jan 12, 2026
Presented annually, the award recognizes an academic department that demonstrates sustained excellence in teaching and learning through innovation, impact, and measurable outcomes. Departments are selected through a rigorous two-phase review process that includes an initial evaluation using a standardized scoring rubric, followed by formal presentations from finalist departments.
Public and One Health student turns curiosity into impact
Jan 9, 2026
While Auburn University’s Public and One Health (PAOH) undergraduate program has been in existence for just over a year, the major tends to attract a very specific type of student. “They’re systems thinkers, they’re curious, they’re driven, and they’re drawn to complex problems,” said Dr. Kelley Steury, co-director of the PAOH program and assistant clinical professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Pathobiology.
Global perspectives: Cottingham selected for NCURA fellowship
Jan 9, 2026
As the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Director of Research Program Development, Contract & Grant Administration, Erika Cottingham enjoys working “at the center of ideas, people, and systems.” “The college’s research portfolio is broad, ambitious, and impactful,” she said, “and my work allows me to support that mission by helping faculty and leadership navigate the structures that make funded research possible.”