Elizabeth G. Welles, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP I received a BS from NCSU in 1976, DVM from AU in 1981, PhD in veterinary pathology (clinical pathology) from UGA in 1989, board certification by American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 1990, and jointed the faculty of AU in 1990.  I teach clinical pathology in didactic format (sophomores and juniors) and in clinical format (seniors vet students, interns, and residents).  I am the director of the AUCVM Clinical Pathology Laboratory, which employs 5 medical technologists (ASCP certified) and 1 office administrative assistant.  The lab provides analysis of CBCs, serum chemistries, urinalysis, coagulation screening tests, feline blood typing, Coombs’ testing, blood cross-match, any many miscellaneous tests.  Cytologic evaluation of tissue samples and body fluids is provided. Outside of the CVM I enjoy training and showing horses in dressage.  I have bred and raised a few Hanoverian horses.  We make our own hay on a small field.  6-7 cats bring delight to each day.  A large garden each summer provides fresh vegetables to our table and also for numerous CVM faculty members.  I preserve abundant vegetables by canning – a labor intensive, but fulfilling, activity.
334-844-2689 office 334-844-2653 clin path lab welleeg@vetmed.auburn.edu
Research Interests Facilitation of diagnostic testing in support of research done by other investigators.  Comparative studies of in-office automated instruments.  Comparative studies of diagnostic methodologies. Clinical pathology data represent an essential component of a majority of clinical science, as well as, basic science research projects.  I serve as a consultant on experimental design to many principal investigators with regard to clinical pathology research issues.  For my personal projects, clinically applicable results obtained from basic and applied research are of prime interest to me.  I try to design relatively small projects that use existing or newly developed/newly available assays/technologies to answer questions that arise concerning old and newly recognized diseases in patients of the CVM Teaching Hospitals.  Some recent projects include comparison of three different methods for determination of fibrinogen concentration in horses.  Validation of an in-office hematology instrument for use in analysis of body cavity effusions, such that practitioners will have a way to accurately count cells and hopefully obtain a partial differential of the cell types.  Comparison of urine protein, creatinine, and protein:creatinine ratio results obtained by three different methods, a newly available urine dipstick, acid-precipitation of protein, and wet chemistry analysis on an automated chemistry instrument.  Guidelines suggested from interpretation of these data have been implemented in routine urinalyses in AUCVM and several other universities.   Comparison of results from 4 in-office hematology analyzers with results from the Bayer Advia (state-of-the-art automated hematology analyzer in the clin path lab at AUCVM).  This information will help practitioners select an in-office hematology instrument that suits their needs. Selected Publications Waldridge BM, Welles EG. How to perform a bronchoalveolar lavage using a three meter gastroscope.  American Association of Equine Practitioners annual meeting, San Antonio, TX. (abstract and presentation) Dec. 1-6, 2006. Spencer JA, Varney S, Major S, Guarino AJ, Welles EG, Johnson CM, Tillson DM, Dillon AR, Blagburn BL. Pathogenesis of feline heartworm infection.  51st Annual Meeting American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, July 15-18, 2006, Honolulu, HI. Spencer JA, Varney S, Major S, Guarino AJ, Welles EG, Johnson CM, Tillson DM, Dillon AR, Blagburn BL. Cytokine responses to experimentally induced Dirofilaria immitis infections in cats.  51st Annual Meeting American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, July 15-18, 2006, Honolulu, HI. Flectcher JM, Behrend EN, Lee HP, Welles EG.  Accuracy of Purina GlucotestTM for monitoring of glucosuria in cats.  American College of Internal Medicine Forum, June 2006.  Taylor K, Welles EG, Smith A, Behrend EN, Higginbotham ML.  Ionized calcium measurement in dogs with lymphoma, Phi Zeta Research Emphasis Day presentation and poster, Auburn University, November 2006. Welles EG, Whatley EM, Hall AS, Wright JC. Comparison of Multistix PRO dipstick with other biochemical assays for determining urine protein (UP), urine creatinine (UC) and UP:UC ratio in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 35(1);31-36,2006. Stewart AJ, Salazer T, Welles EG.  Systemic and pulmonary fungal infectious of the horse.  Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian.  Accepted April 2006.  Stewart AJ, Salazar T, Waldridge BM, Hathcock J, Whitley EM, Welles EG.  Computed tomographic diagnosis of a pathologic fracture due to Rhodococcus osteomyelitis and spinal abscess in a foal.  Accepted May 2006. Cohen M, Bohling M, Wright J, Welles EG, Spano JS. Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of cytologic examination: 269 cases (1999-2000).  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2003;222:964-968. Steiss JE, Brewer WG Jr, Welles EG, Wright JC. Hematologic and serum biochemical values in retired greyhounds.  Compendium on Continuing Education for Practicing Veterinarians 22:243-250;2000.