/unhtoday/feed/2585/rss.xml 91��Ƭ�� Today Articles en /unhtoday/2025/04/lab-reimagined David Needle has 900 samples of moose poop.  “As one does,” quips the senior veterinary pathologist at 91��Ƭ��’s New Hampshire Diagnostic Veterinary Lab.  Those stinky artifacts can reveal what moose ate, whether they’re pregnant, how healthy or stressed they are — all important data points to help us understand and protect this iconic Northern New England species. But accessing that data takes sophisticated laboratory equipment that can run polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests to get an up-close look at DNA sequences. Fortunately for Needle and his collaborators, 91��Ƭ�� has just that equipment.  Thanks, COVID.  As the coronavirus pandemic faded to background noise, 91��Ƭ�� paused its lauded testing program after testing two million samples for 91��Ƭ�� and institutions across the state. But Yankee... ]]> Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:45 -0400 Beth Potier /unhtoday/2025/04/lab-reimagined /unhtoday/2024/05/unh-receives-akc-grant-further-mysterious-dog-illness-investigation 91��Ƭ�� researchers who have been working to better understand what is causing a respiratory illness in dogs since making a significant discovery in relation to the mysterious infection last fall will receive a boost thanks to a grant from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF). Last November, researchers at 91��Ƭ��’s New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NHVDL) and Hubbard Center for Genome Studies (HCGS) made a critical advance in connection to the illness, which has affected thousands of dogs and perplexed veterinarians throughout the country. The grant – which totals a little more than $308,000 – is the first 91��Ƭ�� has ever received from the American Kennel Club and is particularly significant because the university does not have a veterinary school, says David Needle... ]]> Tue, 28 May 2024 11:15 -0400 Keith Testa /unhtoday/2024/05/unh-receives-akc-grant-further-mysterious-dog-illness-investigation /unhtoday/2024/02/studying-fisher-mortality-granite-state Discover why North American fisher populations decline. 91��Ƭ�� researchers study mortality causes with $1.2M grant. Key insights for conservation efforts. ]]> Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:30 -0500 Robbin Ray ’82 /unhtoday/2024/02/studying-fisher-mortality-granite-state /unhtoday/2023/11/unh-researchers-provide-major-clue-mysterious-dog-illness-case Researchers at 91��Ƭ��’s New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NHVDL) and Hubbard Center for Genome Studies (HCGS) may have made significant progress in better understanding a respiratory syndrome that has affected hundreds of dogs throughout the country and has thus far confounded veterinarians. The 91��Ƭ�� researchers identified a small portion of the genome of a previously uncharacterized bacteria that may be causing the illness, using genetic sequencing of samples from 70 dogs in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts from the last two years (30 of the dogs were from New Hampshire and were affected last year, while the 40 from the other two states showed signs of respiratory illness this year). Researchers believe the bacterium may be host adapted and potentially part of the... ]]> Tue, 28 Nov 2023 10:30 -0500 Keith Testa /unhtoday/2023/11/unh-researchers-provide-major-clue-mysterious-dog-illness-case /unhtoday/northern-new-england-tick-tickborne-disease-surveillance Combatting Tick-Borne Diseases in Northern New England: New Research Initiative to Track Tick Pathogens and Populations. ]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 13:15 -0400 Nicholas Gosling '06 /unhtoday/northern-new-england-tick-tickborne-disease-surveillance /unhtoday/2023/07/unhs-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-partners-dod-residency-program Elise LaDouceur, a civilian veterinarian working with the Department of Defense's Joint Pathology Center (JPC) reached out to 91��Ƭ��’s New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NHVDL) last spring and set in motion a partnership that is providing critical residency training to JPC veterinarians in necropsy, the scientific term for animal autopsy. ]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2023 10:15 -0400 Keith Testa /unhtoday/2023/07/unhs-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-partners-dod-residency-program /unhtoday/2023/02/earmarked-federal-budget-supports-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-colsa For more than five decades, the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NHVDL) at the 91��Ƭ�� College of Life Sciences and Agriculture has helped secure animal and public health by providing essential diagnostic services to the Granite State and New England. The NHVDL also provides valuable training to 91��Ƭ�� students in the medical laboratory, veterinary and STEM disciplines—experience that these students bring to the workforce and advanced degree programs. Now, thanks in large part to the support of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH-D), the NHVDL will receive $1.26 million in federal appropriations to expand their diagnostic services and capacity to safeguard the region from emerging infectious disease threats. Each year, the NHVDL receives tens of thousands of samples from pets, farm animals,... ]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:15 -0500 Nicholas Gosling '06 /unhtoday/2023/02/earmarked-federal-budget-supports-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-colsa /unhtoday/2021/02/unh-pathologist-mill-river-dolphin-had-parasitic-brain-infection Results of a necropsy performed on a dolphin that died in the Mill River in Gloucester, Mass., indicate the animal had a parasitic infection and hemorrhage in its brain, according to a pathologist with the NH Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at 91��Ƭ��.  ]]> Mon, 08 Feb 2021 12:45 -0500 Lori Tyler Gula, Ph.D., '19 /unhtoday/2021/02/unh-pathologist-mill-river-dolphin-had-parasitic-brain-infection /unhtoday/2020/09/listeria-found-wild-gray-foxes-new-hampshire-0 Listeria has been found in two New Hampshire wild gray foxes by investigators at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the 91��Ƭ��. A zoonotic disease, the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can sicken both people and farm animals. Some strains can be particularly important if they are resistant to multiple antibiotics and carry genes that lead to more severe diseases in infected people or animals ]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:15 -0400 Lori Tyler Gula, Ph.D., '19 /unhtoday/2020/09/listeria-found-wild-gray-foxes-new-hampshire-0 /unhtoday/2020/05/unh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-safeguarding-animal-and-public-health-state-region As the world continues to focus on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hampshire should not let its guard down about additional diseases of potential importance to the state and nation. Pathologists and personnel at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at 91��Ƭ�� continue to safeguard animal and public health by delivering essential services to the state and region.  ]]> Mon, 18 May 2020 14:30 -0400 Lori Wright, '06G /unhtoday/2020/05/unh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-safeguarding-animal-and-public-health-state-region /unhtoday/2020/01/rescue-dog-brings-out-state-disease A pathologist with New Hampshire Diagnostic Veterinary Lab at 91��Ƭ�� recently diagnosed the fungal disease Valley fever in a rescue dog from Arizona. It is the first time the lab has diagnosed the ailment in a dog in the state. The disease, which is treatable, is endemic in the Southwest and rarely seen in native New England dogs. “This case serves as a reminder to inform your veterinarian of your pet’s travel history and the importance of submitting biopsied tissues for histopathologic examination even if the lesion seems routine,” says Colleen F. Monahan, senior veterinary pathologist and clinical assistant professor at New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and 91��Ƭ��. “This is especially important given the increased numbers of homeless dogs and cats being transported from southern states... ]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2020 09:30 -0500 Lori Tyler Gula, PhD /unhtoday/2020/01/rescue-dog-brings-out-state-disease /unhtoday/2019/07/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-identifies-virus-chimney-swifts Pathologists with the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at 91��Ƭ�� have identified the first reported virus in chimney swifts, an adenovirus called Chimney Swift Adenovirus 1, which may represent the first member of an entirely new group of adenoviruses. ]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2019 06:45 -0400 Lori Tyler Gula, PhD /unhtoday/2019/07/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-identifies-virus-chimney-swifts /unhtoday/2019/04/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-recognized-leaders-mitigating-antimicrobial-resistance The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory recently was recognized by the state for its efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance by rapidly identify infections in animals and performing other diagnostic tests in service to the state and region. ]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:30 -0400 Lori Wright, '06G /unhtoday/2019/04/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-recognized-leaders-mitigating-antimicrobial-resistance /unhtoday/2018/12/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-partners-seacoast-science-center-marine-mammal-rescue The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at the 91��Ƭ�� has partnered with Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue to help diagnose the cause of deaths of marine mammals found on the Northern New England seacoast. “We are so pleased to have partnered with the NH Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at 91��Ƭ�� for diagnostic and necropsy services for marine mammal cases,” said Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue Manager Ashley Stokes. “Prior to the partnership, specimens were sent to the New England Aquarium facility in Quincy, Mass. Having access to NHVDL/91��Ƭ�� will ensure quick and accurate diagnostics when NEAq’s facility is at capacity or unable to take carcasses during sea turtle rescue season.” According to Inga Sidor, senior veterinary pathologist with the NH... ]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2018 12:15 -0500 Lori Tyler Gula, PhD /unhtoday/2018/12/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-partners-seacoast-science-center-marine-mammal-rescue /unhtoday/2018/12/unh-veterinary-pathologist-identifies-first-case-skunk-adenovirus-1-us-third-world A pathologist with the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab has identified the first case of Skunk Adenovirus-1 in the United States. The rare respiratory disease was found in tissues of a hedgehog submitted for diagnosis and represents only the third confirmed detection of the virus in the world. “This virus has been identified only twice before this case – the first time was causing liver lesions in a skunk from Canada, and the second time an incidental finding causing a lesion in the trachea of a hedgehog in Japan that died of heart disease. This case is the first report of this virus in the United States and the first time the virus has been associated with a fatal disease in hedgehogs,” said David Needle, senior veterinary pathologist and assistant clinical professor with New... ]]> Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:15 -0500 Lori Tyler Gula, PhD /unhtoday/2018/12/unh-veterinary-pathologist-identifies-first-case-skunk-adenovirus-1-us-third-world /unhtoday/2018/10/winter-ticks-kill-70-percent-moose-calves-research-shows Northern New Hampshire and western Maine are seeing an increase in winter ticks, which are endangering the moose population. ]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:45 -0400 Robbin Ray ’82 /unhtoday/2018/10/winter-ticks-kill-70-percent-moose-calves-research-shows /unhtoday/2018/04/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-discovers-previously-unknown-parasite-virus-canada-lynx Scientists with the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the 91��Ƭ�� have discovered a previously undiagnosed parasite and virus in the Canada Lynx. The parasite, transmitted by ticks, is a known to infect domestic dogs. The virus is similar to the Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis in humans and is related to a virus that infects domestic cats. The surprising findings were uncovered during a collaborative research study to establish a baseline of diseases affecting a seemingly healthy wildlife population, the Canada Lynx. By obtaining this information, scientists should be better able to recognize an emergence of new diseases in the wild population and monitor the state of these natural diseases within lynx populations over time. “Lynx in New... ]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 12:45 -0400 Lori Tyler Gula, PhD /unhtoday/2018/04/nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab-discovers-previously-unknown-parasite-virus-canada-lynx /unhtoday/2018/03/unh-alum-returns-home-pathology-externship-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab Jackie Marinoff’s dream of becoming a veterinarian has taken her far from the 91��Ƭ�� since she graduated in 2013 with her undergraduate degree in equine studies/pre-veterinary medicine. She has pursued her doctor of veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia and furthered her studies with externships in pathology at Colorado State, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Tufts, and Cornell. However the 91��Ƭ�� College of Life Sciences and Agriculture valedictorian recently returned to campus for an intense, three-week pathology externship at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (NHVDL), which is co-managed by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food and the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. Since 1970, the lab has provided... ]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2018 11:15 -0400 Lori Wright, '06G /unhtoday/2018/03/unh-alum-returns-home-pathology-externship-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab /unhtoday/2017/03/identifying-infections-animals-now-takes-minutes-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab When the state experiences an outbreak of an infectious disease in animals, the time it takes to identify the disease can have a significant impact on the treatment and outbreak response. Now, that time period has been sharply reduced from what could take days, down to minutes at the NH Veterinary Diagnostic Lab thanks to the acquisition of a sophisticated type of mass spectrometry. As part of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station at the 91��Ƭ��, the NH Veterinary Diagnostic Lab serves the state of New Hampshire as a key partner with the New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture and State Veterinarian in their efforts to monitor and control important animal diseases. The lab also provides diagnostic services to hundreds of veterinarians from New Hampshire and New... ]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:30 -0500 Lori Wright, '06G /unhtoday/2017/03/identifying-infections-animals-now-takes-minutes-nh-veterinary-diagnostic-lab /unhtoday/2016/11/new-wireless-technology-helping-ensure-nhvdl-lab-quality Quality test results require that accurate temperatures be maintained and documented to ensure the proper functioning of test procedures and storage of reagents/specimens.    In October the NHVDL implemented a new system of wireless data loggers for all our temperature monitored equipment such as refrigerators, incubators and walk-in coolers.   This replaces the older, more labor intensive QC method of recording the temperature readings on paper.   This new system continuously collects data throughout the day and automatically sends alerts to our email and phones the moment a temperature falls outside of the designated range.   We’re excited about what this new technology adds to our overall quality assurance program and how continuous improvements such as this help us provide a greater... ]]> Fri, 18 Nov 2016 11:45 -0500 /unhtoday/2016/11/new-wireless-technology-helping-ensure-nhvdl-lab-quality /unhtoday/2016/07/unh-graduates-accepted-veterinary-medical-school-high-rates Prospective veterinarians hoping to get into one of the nation’s handful of schools of veterinary medicine would be wise to do their pre-vet coursework at the 91��Ƭ��: 91��Ƭ�� graduates are being admitted to schools of veterinary medicine at a high rate – well above the nation average of about 50 percent. In the most recent academic year, 88 percent of the 91��Ƭ�� students who applied to veterinary medical school were admitted. In 2015, 79 percent who applied were admitted; in 2014, 80 percent who applied were admitted; and in 2013, 100 percent who applied were admitted. While admittance rates vary by veterinary medical school, the national average is about 50 percent. According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, veterinary medical school is very... ]]> Tue, 05 Jul 2016 16:45 -0400 Lori Tyler Gula, PhD /unhtoday/2016/07/unh-graduates-accepted-veterinary-medical-school-high-rates