UC Davis spearheads formation of Nephrology and Urology Specialty College

Dr Larry Cowgill with a patient at the UC Veterinary Medical Center - San Diego (Photo courtesy of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine).

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) American Board of Veterinary Specialties has provisionally recognized the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology (ACVNU).

According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine,¹ this initiative has been ongoing for decades and ACVNU’s establishment was headed by Larry Cowgill, PhD, DVM, a professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, in addition to an organizing committee of industry experts. They feel the urinary disease realm is currently adequately robust and scientifically developed to offer this expertise to the veterinary profession, clients, and patients.

“We have dedicated leadership now for this specialty,” said Cowgill.¹ “With that critical mass now to populate the field, we can continue our advancements in therapeutic expertise and train more professionals to continue this specialty.”

ACVNU strives to provide specialized diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients, a training vision in the form of a 2-year residency, and an advanced standard of care for managing urinary disease.¹

Cowgill will asume the role of ACVNU’s first president. Additionally, the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) and its Southern California satellite facility, the UC Veterinary Medical Center – San Diego (UCVMC-SD), will serve as prominent initial training centers for ACVNU.

According to an AVMA press release,² ACVNU’s training program will be different from other residencies as it requires participants to already be board-certified in another specialty discipline or have 4 equivalent years of experience in nephrology and urology. A virtual training alternative will also be available so candidates do not have to relocate to a traditional training center.

“The advances we will make in nephrology and urology as a specialty will translate to other specialty groups and into general practice,” Cowgill expressed in the release.² “We will establish new baselines for the diagnosis and management of disease, so it will have broad reach and effects across the entire profession and for the public—like every other specialty.”

ACVNU aims to launch the residency program at UC Davis in 2023.

References

1. Warren R. UC Davis leads way for establishment of Nephrology and Urology Specialty College. UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. May 17, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-leads-way-establishment-nephrology-and-urology-specialty-college
2. Burns K. Nephrology and urology recognized as veterinary specialty organization. American Veterinary Medical Association. May 2, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022. https://www.avma.org/news/nephrology-and-urology-recognized-veterinary-specialty-organization