Probiotics and the Gut

Dr. Jacqueline Whittemore received her DVM from the University of California, Davis College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. After two years in small animal general practice, she completed a residency in small animal internal medicine at Colorado State University in 2005, followed shortly by a PhD. Whittemore joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012 and served as the Acree Research Chair from 2016-2021. Whittemore currently is an Associate Specialist in Internal Medicine at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Knoxville in addition to serving as an Adjunct Professor at UT. Dr. Whittemore's research primarily focuses on canine and feline gastrointestinal and hormonal disorders. She recently completed 3 randomized-controlled studies assessing the impact of probiotics on antibiotic-associated adverse gastrointestinal signs, dysbiosis, and metabolomic changes in cats and dogs. Current work includes a randomized-controlled trial assessing the impact of probiotics on glucocorticoid-induced gastrointestinal bleeding in dogs, as well as studies on point of care hormonal and gastrointestinal assays.

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), originally from New Jersey, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, he finished his neurology/neurosurgery residency at Washington State University. There he developed a love for neuroimaging and the development of a novel neuronavigation device. After joining the faculty at the University of Missouri, he applied these interests to develop therapies for both animals and children with the rare neurodegenerative disorder known as Batten disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) and was awarded the young investigator award by the Batten Disease Support & Research Association for his work. He then moved to St Louis, Missouri, where he practiced for several years and developed the first hybrid private practice/academic neurology residency program, which continues today.

He currently practices at Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency in North Carolina. In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities, Wininger owns and operates 3D Veterinary Printing, LLC, which creates anatomic models and customized surgical tools to aid veterinary surgeons and neurosurgeons around the world. He also is the founding treasurer of the Veterinary Neurosurgical Society, an active member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and adjunct professor for the University of Missouri. In his spare time, Wininger enjoys scuba diving, endurance sports, and exploring new places through their food.