Equine and small animal medicine

Our clinical research concentrates on the mechanisms, diagnostics and treatment practices of diseases associated with companion and hobby animals, as well as the welfare of these species. In veterinary translational research, animal diseases serve as models for human diseases. Our goal is to improve animal welfare with the help of new therapies as well as new examination and monitoring methods.

Veterinary pharmacology investigates, taking into account the special characteristics of animal species, the effects of drugs on the animal body and how it processes drugs. Such research serves as the basis for appropriate drug doses, animal treatment guidelines and safety periods for food products produced using medicated animals. Clinical toxicology investigates the adverse effects of substances in the animal body and the clinical treatment of poisoning cases.

Research on diagnostic imaging utilises a diverse range of imaging techniques. The unit has at its disposal digital X-ray devices for small animals and horses, state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment as well as CT and MRI imaging equipment suitable for scanning small animals.

Research on the internal medicine of small animals focuses on gastrointestinal as well as pulmonary and cardiac diseases.

In small animal surgery, research is conducted in the specialist fields of soft tissue surgery, orthopaedics, anaesthesia and pain management, neurology, oral and dental diseases, and eye diseases. The research focuses on the health and welfare of small animals, and supports translational medicine by promoting research in human diseases.

Inflammation research carried out in the equine unit utilises equine asthma and osteoarthritis as models. Other research topics include equine metabolic syndrome, pain associated with the mouth and teeth, sleep and related disorders, sand accumulation in the large intestine, and the antimicrobial resistance of gut microbiota.

Department director and contact details