CVM News

A major mile marker: Class of 2027 earns white coats

Mar 2, 2026

Before enrolling at Auburn to pursue her DVM, Abigail Gaston had heard of veterinary school being compared to a marathon. After three years of rigorous coursework, she has decided a new description is in order. “Now, I think it’s more like one of those 100-mile cross country races that you’ve got to be absolutely insane to sign up for,” joked Gaston, the Class of 2027 president from Guntersville, Ala.

The power of passion: Sierra Ott’s journey to equine medicine

Mar 2, 2026

Despite the physical toll and 24/7 on-call nature of equine medicine, there are still dedicated students who are eager to join the herd. Fourth-year DVM candidate Sierra Ott has always been inspired by equine medicine, but it took some time for her to view it as a realistic goal.

Trusted treatment: inside the life-saving care of K9 Dredd

Feb 26, 2026

K9 Dredd and Deputy Sheriff Levi Cavender spent the last three years building trust and learning each other’s cues. That connection is vital when tracking escaped inmates in the field. It’s also how Cavender immediately knew something was wrong.

Researchers study swine immunity to unlock better flu vaccines

Feb 23, 2026

Since September 2025, more than 24 million Americans have come down with the flu. Most of those cases were caused by a highly mutated version of influenza A, the H3N2 K subclade, that showed up last summer, long after the strains of flu used to formulate this year’s flu shot were chosen.

College of Veterinary Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony Class of 2027

Feb 23, 2026

  The ceremony will be live streamed on February 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM Central. A recording will also be available after the ceremony.

The hawk who wanted to be a Tiger

Feb 16, 2026

The Auburn University Raptor Center helped the Auburn football program deal with an unexpected walk-on — or fly-in — recruit who bypassed college football’s transfer portal and traditional recruiting processes. In early February, a Cooper’s hawk found its way inside the football team’s indoor practice facility but couldn’t find its way out.

Minding the gap between hiring manager and Gen Z expectations

Feb 16, 2026

When it comes to recruiting newly minted DVMs for private practice openings, specificity matters. Potential hires are unlikely to be persuaded by ambiguous claims about “work-life balance” or “team culture.” But, according to an informal survey conducted by Assistant Clinical Professor Ryan Gibson, they will respond positive to more concrete details about structured mentorship, onboarding, workplace culture, and professional development opportunities.

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.