Randolph Winter, DVM, a veterinary resident at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences, and Lance Visser, DVM, a veterinary resident at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, recently each received the 2014 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Resident Research Award for their respective work in canine cardiology. Dr. Winter’s project is “Biologic Variability of N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Cardiac Troponin I in Health Dogs and Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease.” He is working with his mentor, Ashley Saunders, DVM, to enhance treatment of mitral valve disease through the identification of biological markers of disease. Dr. Visser’s project is “Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Function Following a Single Dose of Pimobendan Versus Atenolol in Conscious Healthy Dogs: A Prospective, Blinded, Randomized, Crossover Study.” He aims to define the best-performing echocardiographic variables that track changes in right ventricular function in response to pharmacologic manipulation. His data will stimulate further studies that will allow veterinary cardiologists to define new ways of evaluating and prognosticating for dogs with heart and lung diseases that affect heart function. Both projects are funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. The ACVIM Research Award is presented annually to 10 active researchers who are on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. The other eight winners: Diego Gomez of the University of Prince Edward Island for “Quantitative Contribution of Plasma D- and L-Lactate to the Strong Ion Gap and the Effect of Physicochemical Variables on Plasma Bicarbonate and pH in 42 Calves with Diarrhea,” Amy Stieler of the University of Florida for “Macrolide Induced Hyperthermia in Foals: Role of Impaired Sweat Responses,” Lindsay Boozer of the University of Georgia for “Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Generic Extended Release Formulations of Levetiracetam in Dogs,” Rob Daniel of the University of Missouri for “Feline Myotonia Congenita: Clinical, Electrophysiologic and Histopathologic Characteristics with a Novel Mutation in CLCN-1,” Melissa Tollett of the University of Pennsylvania for “A Retrospective Analysis of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Treatment of Solid Tumors in Dogs,” Rebekah Mack of Michigan State University for “Role of Oropharyngeal Bacteria in Esophageal Feeding Tube Peristomal Infections in Cats,” Meredith Sherrill of University of Missouri for “Infestation by Ambyomma Americanum on Cats Leads to Increased Leukocyte Phagocytosis” and Anna Threlfall of Royal Veterinary College for “Involvement of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 Promotor Polymorphisms in Genetic Susceptibility to Primary Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia in Cocker Spaniels.”
