Veterinary students examining a Siamese cat using a stethoscope in a clinical setting.

Small Animal Clinical Sciences

The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (VSCS) in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is committed to enhancing the lives of companion animals and their owners through compassionate care, scientific advancement, and education.
Veterinary team using ultrasound equipment to monitor a dog’s heart activity on diagnostic screens.

VSCS faculty teach graduate and veterinary students, post-DVM interns and residents, and continuing education participants while serving as clinicians in the Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH).

Veterinary team examining a dog using a stethoscope and monitoring equipment in a clinical setting.

VSCS offers a one-year rotating internship program and specialty internships in cardiology research, comparative ophthalmology, The Dog Aging Project, and underserved communities.

Veterinary staff member in scrubs holding a cat with a bandaged torso on an exam table in a clinic.

VSCS offers residencies for veterinarians seeking board certification in anesthesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, and surgery.

Giving to VSCS

Gifts to VSCS ensure that our faculty, staff, interns, residents, and students have the necessary support to participate in high-impact educational, research, and service opportunities, allowing them to be a force for good for companion animals and their humans.

Give to VSCS
Dr. Brian Saunders, Linda Clark, Dennis Clark

Programs & Research Labs

3D-printed bone models, including a pelvis and limb bones, displayed on a table for study or surgical planning.

The Canine Comparative Orthopedics & Cellular Therapeutics Laboratory (CCOCTL) advances the field of canine orthopedics and stem cell therapy for the mutual benefit of animals and humans.

Dr. Ashley Saunders and Dr. Sarah Hamer

The Canine Chagas Collaborative is a multidisciplinary, translational research program using a One Health approach to detect, treat, and manage Chagas disease in dogs. In Texas and across the southern United States, dogs that spend time outdoors, live in rural areas, or live in kennels are at highest risk of becoming infected.

Veterinary team with Duke, a small dog, participating in a clinical trial for a diabetes treatment.

The Office of Veterinary Clinical Investigation (OVCI) is the administrative home for clinical trials in the SATH and ensures the highest quality of care for patients on their trial journey. These studies often evaluate how effective a new treatment is by comparing it to standard practice in animals with disease.

Clinician in a lab coat using a stylus while referencing an open medical textbook.

The Clinical & Research Information Service (CRIS) provides information services to students, faculty, and staff at the VMBS. We also provide limited resources for alumni, referring veterinarians, and the public.

Dr. Jörg Steiner and Kelly Mallett reviewing diagnostic images on a computer in a lab.

The Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI Lab) provides specialized testing services to help veterinarians diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats. Our services may help in the management of pets with vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or poor body condition.

A cat savoring a gourmet meal with fresh, nutritious ingredients

The Veterinary Nutrition service at the VMBS and the VMTH is led by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and a licensed veterinary nurse specializing in nutrition. Ensuring that your pet is eating a proper diet can increase their chances of living longer lives.

Dr. Nick Jeffery, professor of neurology, holding Primrose the dachshund outdoors.

Faculty Research Spotlight

Dr. Nicholas Jeffery investigates the treatment of spinal cord and nervous system injuries in dogs, develops novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies, and leads groundbreaking clinical trials.

About Dr. Jeffery