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Richard C. Weiss, VMD, PHD

Dr. Richard C. Weiss, associate professor of pathobiology, earned the VMD degree in 1973 from the University of Pennsylvania and the PhD degree in 1981 from Cornell University. He was engaged in small animal practice for 3 years prior to completing a veterinary pathology residency and graduate studies at Cornell. After obtaining his PhD, Dr. Weiss was employed as a staff research scientist at Syntex Corporation from 1981-1984 and helped develop a vaccine against feline leukemia virus. Dr. Weiss joined the faculty at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 as a joint appointee in the Department of Pathobiology and the Scott Ritchey Research Center where he established a research program in feline virus disease. He has over 50 publications in the area of feline virology and immunology and is recognized nationally for his expertise in studying feline infectious peritonitis. More recently, Dr. Weiss has focused on diagnostic pathology and teaching responsibilities in the Department of Pathobiology. Dr. Weiss is listed in Who’s Who in Veterinary Medicine.

334-844-2666
weissrl@auburn.edu

Research Interests

My major emphasis has been in the area of viral pathogenesis, antiviral immunity, and treatment of feline viral diseases, particularly feline coronavirus and retrovirus infections (FIP, FeLV, FIV) with antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs.

Selected Publications

Weiss RC, Dodds WJ, Scott FW: Disseminated intravascular coagulation in experimentally induced feline infectious peritonitis. American Journal of Veterinary Research 1980;41:663-671.

Weiss RC, Scott FW: Pathogenesis of feline infectious peritonitis: Pathologic changes and immunofluorescence. American Journal of Veterinary Research 1981;42:2036-2048.

Weiss RC, Oostrom-Ram T: Effect of recombinant human interferon-alpha in vitro and in in vivo on mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis in cats. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1990;24:147-157.

Weiss RC: Immunologic responses in healthy random-source cats fed N,N-dimethylglycine supplemented diets. Am J Vet Res 1992;53:829-833.

Weiss RC, Cummins JM, Richards AB: Low-dose oral alpha interferon therapy of feline leukemia virus infection. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991;199:1477-1481.

Weiss RC: Immunotherapy of feline leukemia using Staphylococcal protein A (Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I) or heterologous interferons: Immunopharmacologic actions and potential use. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988;192:681-684.

Weiss RC, Cox NR: Evaluation of immunity to feline infectious peritonitis in cats with cutaneous viral-induced delayed hypersensitivity. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1989;21:293- 309.

Weiss RC, Oostrom-Ram T: Inhibitory effects of ribavirin alone or combined with human alpha interferon on feline infectious peritonitis virus replication in vitro. Vet Microbiol 1989;20:255-265.

Weiss, RC: Feline Infectious peritonitis: Advances in therapy and control. In: August (ed).  Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, Co, 1994, 2nd ed., pp. 3-12.

Weiss RC: Feline infectious peritonitis and other coronaviruses. In: Sherding  RG (ed). The Cat: Diseases and Clinical Management. New York: Churchill Livingstone Inc 1994, Vol 1, 2nd ed., pp. 449-477.

Weiss RC, Cox NR, Boudreaux MK: Toxicologic effects of ribavirin in cats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1993;16:301-316.

Weiss RC, Cox NR, Martinez ML: Evaluation of free or liposome-encapsulated ribavirin as antiviral therapy of experimentally induced FIP. Research in Veterinary Science 1993:55-162-172.  

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