UCD Research archives

An overview of ongoing small-animal research
Dr Ronan Mullins, assistant professor of small animal surgery, University College Dublin, gives an overview of some of the interesting ongoing research that is taking place in the college’s Small Animal Surgery Department

Productivity, animal health and the environment
This month, Finbar Mulligan, associate professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine, shares an update on the dairy nutrition research that is taking place at UCD Lyons Far

Characterisation and cytomorphometic diagnostic test for canine lymphoma
Peter James O’Brien, head of clinical pathology, and his global team of five summer students report on completion of a rapid test for canine lymphoma

Common feline behaviour problems
A collaborative research project on veterinary professionals’ understanding of common feline behaviour problems and use of ‘cat-friendly’ practices found that there is a need for formal training in these areas

How ‘omics’ are contributing to sustainable animal production
Torres Sweeney, full professor of animal genomics at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine gives an overview of how ‘omics’ technologies are contributing to sustainable animal production

Mechanisms of inflammation in primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia
Researchers at University College Dublin are investigating mechanisms involved in primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in dogs through microRNA evaluation

Bringing genomics into bovine tuberculosis control in Ireland
Dr Joseph Crispell and Professor Stephen Gordon from University College Dublin, talk about a recently funded project that aims to use bacterial genomics to help control bovine tuberculosis across Ireland

A practical approach to simple procedures in pet pigs
As pet pigs become more popular in Ireland, vets are likely to encounter them on their routine callouts. In this article, researchers outline a practical approach to some simple procedures that can be done on farm, as well as sedation protocols, that will make these encounters safer and less stressful for vet, animal and owner

Reflective practice in veterinary medical and nursing education – what does the literature tell us?
Researchers at University College Dublin are investigating evidence-based educational practices to improve learner outcomes in the area of reflective practice

Racetrack opportunity and success – the ‘Speed Gene’ test
A collaborative research study between UCD and global equine science company,
Plusvital, led to an investigation into the economic outcome when thoroughbred horses
are run over optimal or sub-optimal distances as defined by the ‘Speed Gene’ test. This
article provides an overview of the investigation

An exploration of markers of iron defi ciency in dogs
UCD researchers are examining the biomarkers of iron status of dogs with confirmed and
suspected iron deficiency with a view to improving diagnoses and care of impacted animals

Dairy nutrition research: low milk fat percentage
Orla Neville’s current research hopes to shed further light on the significant issue of milk fat
depression and low milk fat percentage on Irish dairy farms

Investigation of the relationship between helminths, the host immune system and intestinal dysbiosis in horses
Researchers at University College Dublin are currently investigating ways to provide better diagnostics and treatment of horses at risk from acute larval cyathostominosis

Oral delivery of unstable bioactive components sourced from food: formulation and assessment
Oral delivery is the preferred route for bioactive components sourced from food.
Researchers at University College Dublin are working on formulating bioactive components, which are currently unstable and poorly absorbed to unlock their desired physiological effects

Tick-borne diseases in Ireland
Researchers at University College Dublin are evaluating the prevalence of selected tickborne diseases in Ireland

Canine demodicosis and the role of demodex mites in rosacea
Researchers at University College Dublin are investigating the pathogenesis of canine demodicosis and the role of demodex mites in rosacea – a one health approach

UCD summer research update
Alison Reynolds, assistant professor in veterinary biosciences, University College Dublin, provides an update on some of the research projects that students undertook this summer