Small animal medicine group

The Small Animal Medicine group comprises a number of clinicians investigating multiple aspects of canine and feline medicine.

Feline Medicine

Feline medicine clinical research is very active. Dr Séverine Tasker works in the Feline Centre and is involved with a research group specializing in feline infectious diseases (especially haemoplasma, coronavirus and retroviral infections) and haematological disorders. Séverine works closely with Dr Chris Helps and other members of the Diagnostic Laboratories of Langford Veterinary Services. Work carried out includes the development of better diagnostic tests for infectious agents and determining effective treatment plans for diseases such as feline haemoplasmosis. Professor Tim Gruffydd-Jones is involved with feline genetic studies, looking at specific genetic defects that cause inherited diseases and susceptibility to more complex diseases. Feline endocrinology is another focus of feline medicine clinical research with Angie Hibbert heading work investigating feline hyperthyroidism, in particular looking at the presence of co-morbid disease in hyperthyroid cases and evaluating attitudes to, and efficacy of, treatment of this feline endocrine problem, which is commonly seen in the Feline Centre.

Cardiorespiratory diseases

In cardiac diseases cardiomyocyte dysfunction, but also maladaptive remodelling of the surrounding tissue, the extracellular matrix (ECM), occurs. This is associated progressive cardiac disease, arrhythmias and heart failure. Furthermore, systemic diseases can affect cardiac function and might cause cardiomyopathy. Inflammation and ECM remodelling are important components in the progression of cardiac diseases and might also be involved in impaired cardiac function in systemic diseases.

Little is known about these associations canine and feline cardiac and systemic diseases. Dr Sonja Fonfara's research investigates the role of inflammation and ECM remodelling in canine and feline cardiac and systemic diseases, in collaboration with the University of Helsinki. Investigating the pathogenesis of the diseases may identify factors responsible for the differences in clinical presentation, disease progression and outcome in patients with cardiac or systemic diseases. Furthermore, it might identify novel treatment approaches, as modulating of inflammation and ECM remodelling.

Clinical canine gastroenterology

Clinical canine gastroenterology research is led by Professor Ed Hall who works in Small Animal Hospital and includes work looking at antibiotic resistance in dogs and the importance of behavioural traits and novel dietary components in canine gastrointestinal disease. Such work is important to direct future treatment regimes for canine gastroenterological cases.

More information about the research interests, ongoing projects and publications can be found by clicking on the names of individuals below.

Senior Members of Staff

Professor Ed Hall
Professor Tim Gruffydd-Jones
Dr Séverine Tasker
Dr Sonja Fonfara
Sheena Warman
Angie Hibbert
Domingo Casamian Sorrosal
Lucie Goodwin
Tom Harcourt Brown

Residents

Christina Maunder
Lara Boland
Catherine Bovens
Paul Higgs
Dr Natalie Finch
Dr Emily Barker
Jenny Reeve

Bristol Veterinary School

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