| Treatment from A to Zebra: Canada’s most modern university veterinary hospital centre opens for all |
|
|
| 23 mai 2008 | |
Federal and provincial governments invest in multidisciplinary pole for the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Veterinary MedicineCanada’s most modern University Veterinary Hospital Centre (UVHC), the cornerstone of the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, was inaugurated in St-Hyacinthe today. Federal and provincial governments invested over $74 million to double and renovate the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s outdated facilities to establish a new multidisciplinary animal healthcare pole.  A UVHC animal health professional greets visitors as a cow takes a therapeutic bath to alleviate arthritis  Animal health professionals place dog in MRI machine For Parliamentary Secretary Jacques Gourde, the Government of Canada’s support for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in St‑Hyacinthe demonstrates a firm commitment to maintaining world‑class scientific institutions in Canada. “The new facilities will help veterinarians optimize their role as guardians of animal health, which is a key element in the economic prosperity of the Canadian agri‑food industry and its recognition in export markets,” added Mr. Gourde.  Animal health professional attend to newborn foal Modern and open 24/7 Open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, the UVHC was designed as a fully integrated medical facility where equine, bovine, farm, domestic and exotic animals can be diagnosed, admitted and treated. The UVHC will serve as the hub of 60 professors and researchers, 100 support staff as well as 40 interns and residents. The veterinary professionals will also work to advance research on major illness that affect mammals, from cancer to arthritis, which may one day have human applications.  Veterinary student Jean-François Riverin in cow stable of UVHC Four sectors under one roof The UVHC treat about 14,000 animals each year. Most hospitalizations average two days. The UVHC is comprised of four sectors: A domestic pet hospital treats up to 12,000 cats and dogs. Specialties include surgery oncology, cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology. A new observation room allows specialists to analyze and treat animals with behavioural problems. What’s more, the expanded UVHC includes a novel exotic animal clinic that treats all kinds of pets such as ferrets, lizards and snakes. The hospital also features a birds of prey clinic, which treats about 350 injured creatures per year. The bird of prey clinic is one of the five largest centres of its kind in North America. The farm animal hospital provides medical and surgical services to a variety of livestock: pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, goats, lamas and ostrich. The hospital admits about 700 cases per year. The equine hospital treats up to 1,500 elite race or sporting horses per annum. Most horses admitted to the equine hospital are referred by veterinarians across Quebec, Eastern Ontario and the eastern United States. Specialities include surgery, internal medicine and reproduction. The roving clinic features a team of specialists who provides about 3,600 on-site farm visits per year to treat livestock. Calls can be made to milk, beef, pig and poultry producers.  Veterinary student Éva Larouche-Lebel tends to dog at UVHC's domestic pet hospital Farm, domestic and wild animal health is a priority for the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Since its 1886 foundation, North America’s only French veterinary medical school has been a leader in the teaching, treatment and research in its field. The Faculty, based in Saint-Hyacinthe, features 120 professors, clinicians and researchers, 420 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, as well as 300 support staff. Thanks to its new University Veterinary Hospital Centre, the Faculty provides both quality education and unique expertise for businesses, government agencies and the general public. On the web: www.medvet.umontreal.ca. * All photos by Marco Langlois; copyright Université de Montréal For more information: Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins International press attaché Université de Montréal Telephone: 514-343-7593 Email: sylvain-jacques.desjardins@umontreal.ca Julie Gazaille Press attaché Université de Montréal Telephone : 514-343-6796 Email : j.cordeau-gazaille@umontreal.ca |
© 2008 - Bureau des communications et des relations publiques