Publications & Presentations

Contreras, Elena (2023). Feline upper respiratory tract infections. In: Ettinger, SJ, Feldman, EC, Cote, E., eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 9th edition, Philadelphia: Elsevier Health Sciences, Chapter 205.

Contreras, Elena T. and Raphael Vanderstichel. (2025). Enhancing veterinary education through a novel animal welfare and behavior course at a new veterinary university. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. doi: 10.3138/jvme-2024-0108. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39951258.

Contreras, Elena T., Kate Bruner, Courtney Hegwer, Andrew Simpson. (2025). Claw growth rates in a subset of adult, indoor, domestic cats (Felis catus). Veterinary Dermatology. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.13335.

Ziogaite, B., Elena T. Contreras, Jason E. Horgan. (2024). Incidence of splenic malignancy and hemangiosarcoma in dogs undergoing splenectomy surgery at a surgical specialty clinic: 182 cases (2017-2021). PLoS ONE.19(12): e0314737.

Contreras, Elena T., Raphael Vanderstichel, Claire Hovenga, Michael R Lappin. (2021). Evaluation of feline hair and nail cortisol concentrations and preliminary associations with behavioral, physical, and environmental indicators of chronic stress. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 35(6):2662-2672.

Contreras, Elena T. and Rollin, Bernard E. (2021). The convenient disregard for the Rattus species in the laboratory environment: Implications for animal welfare and science. Journal of Animal Ethics 11(2): 12-30.

Contreras, Elena T., Francisco Olea-Popelka, William Wheat, Steven Dow, Jennifer Hawley, Michael R. Lappin. (2019). Evaluation of liposome TLR ligand complexes for non-specific mucosal immunoprotection from feline herpesvirus-1 infection. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33(2): 831-837.

Wheat, William, Lynda Chow, Jonathan Coy, Elena Contreras, Michael Lappin, Steven Dow. (2019). Activation of upper respiratory tract mucosal innate immune responses in cats by liposomal TLR ligand complexes delivered topically. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33(2): 838-845.

Contreras, Elena T., Elizabeth Hodgkins, Valarie Tynes, Alexandra Beck, Francisco Olea-Popelka, Michael R Lappin. (2018). Effect of a pheromone on stress-associated recrudescence of feline herpesvirus-1 in experimentally inoculated kittens. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 32(1):406-417.

Contreras, Elena T., Deanna R. Worley, Ross H. Palmer, Felix M. Duerr. (2018). Post-amputation orthopedic surgery in canine amputees: owner satisfaction and outcome. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 33, no. 3: 89-96.

Contreras, Elena, Kristy Dowers, Scott Moroff, and Michael Lappin. (2018). Clinical and laboratory effects of doxycycline and prednisolone in Ixodes scapularis-exposed dogs with chronic Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 33, no. 4: 147-149.

Souza, Clarissa P., Rod A. W. Rosychuk, Elena T. Contreras, Jennifer R. Schissler, Andrew C. Simpson. (2018). A retrospective analysis of the use of lokivetmab in the management of allergic pruritus in a referral population of 135 dogs in the western USA. Veterinary Dermatology 29(6): 489-e164.

Souza, Clarissa P., Jennifer R. Schissler, Elena T. Contreras, Steven W. Dow, Leone S. Hopkins, Jonathan W. Coy, Rod A.W. Rosychuk, Jennifer R. Hawley, Michael R. Lappin. (2018). Evaluation of immunological parameters in pit bull terrier-type dogs with juvenile onset generalized demodicosis and age matched healthy pit bull terrier-type dogs. Veterinary Dermatology 29(6): 482-e162.

Torres-Henderson, Camille, Jamie Bunkers, Elena Contreras, Emily Cross, and Michael Lappin. (2017). Use of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet UR Urinary St/Ox to dissolve struvite cystoliths. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 32, no. 2: 49-54.

Contreras Elena T, Urs Giger, Jennifer L Malmberg, Jessica M Quimby, Paula A Schaffer. (2016). Bilirubin encephalopathy in a domestic shorthair cat with increased osmotic fragility and cholangiohepatitis. Veterinary Pathology, 53, no. 3: 629-632.

Contreras, Elena T., Jennifer R. Hawley, and Michael R. Lappin. (2016). Effects of administration of Carnivora on clinical signs in cats after repeat challenge with feline herpesvirus. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine 14, no. 3: 208-216.

Tenne, Reut, Lauren A. Sullivan, Elena T. Contreras, Francisco Olea-Popelka, David C. Twedt, Jeffrey Fankhauser, Logan Mastrianna, and Michael R. Lappin. (2016). Palatability and clinical effects of an oral recuperation fluid during the recovery of dogs with suspected parvoviral enteritis. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 31, no. 2: 68-72.

Contreras, Elena T. The rat in plain sight: Telos, welfare, and science in laboratory rats. June 8-9, 2026. American College of Animal Welfare Resident Short Course, Denver, Colorado.

Contreras, Elena T. Cluck and crow care: Evidence-based behavior and welfare for backyard hens and roosters. February 16, 2026. Western Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Contreras, Elena T. and Vanderstichel R. Students’ animal welfare perceptions after completing a novel, “Animal welfare and behavior” first-semester required course at a new veterinary university. June 24-26, 2025. Poster, Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Conference 2025, online.

Contreras, Elena T. Ruffling feathers: A pilot behavioral ethogram challenging assumptions about adult commercial broiler hybrid chickens. June 17-18, 2025. American College of Veterinary Behavior 2025 Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Louisville, KY.

Contreras, Elena T., Hegwer C., Gleixner M. A hairy situation: Variability of feline hair cortisol concentration as a measure of stress physiology vs hair physiology. June 17-18, 2025. American College of Veterinary Behavior 2025 Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Louisville, KY.

Contreras, Elena T. and Vanderstichel R. Veterinary students’ attitudes and perceptions of animal welfare before and after completing a novel, required ‘Animal Welfare and Behavior’ course. June 4, 2025. Poster, American College of Animal Welfare Resident Short Course, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Contreras, Elena T. Behavioral ethogram of adult commercial broiler hybrid chickens rescued from slaughter: A pilot study. May 14-15, 2025. 2025 International Society of Applied Ethology North American Regional Meeting, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Contreras, Elena T., Hellyer P, Kogan L. Fear-and-stress-reducing strategies in the veterinary clinic: Impact and perceptions regarding certification program trainings. ACVB Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Minneapolis, MN, June 4-5, 2024.

Hegwer, C., Contreras ET, Pike AL, Learn A, Radosta L. Canine anxiety-and-fear-based behaviors, management, and association with fecal cortisol concentration as a potential measure of acute stress: Preliminary results from 104 dogs. ACVB Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Minneapolis, MN, June 4-5, 2024.

Contreras, Elena T. Changes in students’ attentiveness to animal welfare after completing a novel “Animal Welfare and Behavior” first-semester required course for veterinary students in a new veterinary school. October 2023. AAVMC Veterinary Educator Symposium, Amarillo, TX.

Contreras, E., Hegwer C, Gleixner M, Vanderstichel R. Can the cortisol concentration in feline fur be used as a consistent and reliable measure of long-term cortisol indicative of chronic stress in cats: Preliminary results from 24 cats. June 2023. American College of Veterinary Behaviorists’ Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Philadelphia, PA.

Hegwer C and Contreras E. Case report: Increasing welfare in helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) through clicker training. April 2023. AVMA AWAC virtual competition, online.

Contreras, Elena T., Vanderstichel R, Hovenga C, Lappin MR. Chronic stress in cats: Evaluation of nail and hair cortisol concentrations and associations with behavior and other factors. June 2022. American College of Veterinary Behaviorists' Veterinary Behavior Symposium, Austin, Texas.

Contreras, Elena T., Michael R. Lappin. Quantification and evaluation of cortisol in feline fur and claws: a novel, non-invasive measurement of chronic stress in cats. October 2019. American Association of Feline Practitioners Annual Conference, San Francisco, California.

Contreras, Elena T., Steven W Dow, Michael R Lappin. Effects of a liposome-TLR mucosal immune stimulant on kittens infected with feline herpesvirus-1. June 2017. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum. National Harbor, Maryland. 

Contreras, ET, K Dowers, S Moroff, MR Lappin. Clinical and laboratory findings in dogs with Ixodes-induced chronic Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection, after prednisolone administration. June 2016. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum. Denver, Colorado. 

Contreras, Elena, Scott Moroff, and Michael Lappin. Evidence for genetic predisposition to Borrelia burgdorferi infection in purpose-bred beagles. June 2016. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum. Denver, Colorado. 

Presentation. Physical exam in dogs. July 2025. St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center Critter Camp. Madison, New Jersey.

Presentation. Hen-abling good welfare. From the backyard to the exam room. July 2025. Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine Continuing Education for General Practitioners series, Mullica Hill, New Jersey.

Presentation. Veterinary medicine careers exploration: A virtual workshop for high school students. October 2024. Humane Rescue Alliance. 2024 Online workshop.

Presentation. Evaluating wildlife welfare in captivity and the Five Domains of welfare. September 2023. Heroes 4 Wildlife: Building Bridges 2023 Online Conference.

Podcast. VetaHumanz Live! Episode 22: Miao-Miao, Dr. Elena Contreras, May 2022

Invited presentation: FeLV and FIV: What does it mean for you as a veterinarian? January 2023. Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine Feline Medicine Club.

Presentation. Chronic Stress in Cats: What can cortisol in the claws and fur tell us? July 2022. Long Island Veterinary Medical Association. Online.

Panelist. Making animals real: Helping people understand animal sentience. Animal Justice Academy Panel with Jonathan Balcombe, Marc Bekoff, Elena Contreras, Lori Marino. April 2022. Online.

Panelist. Pawsibilities VetMed. Through the lens: Biracial and multiracial veterinary professionals. May 2022. Online.

Panelist. Pawsibilities VetMed Workshop Panel: How do we do this vet school thing? February 2021, online.

Speaker. Meals for my meowntain cat. December 2019. Snowcats Cat Convention, Denver, Colorado. 

Speaker. Feeding my feline: what should my cat eat, and why does it matter. November 2019. KittyCon Tampa, Florida. 

Speaker. Feeding frenzied: What should my cat eat for breakfast, and why does it matter. June 2019. CatCon Annual Convention. Pasadena, California.

Presentation and Panel. Wheeler, R and Contreras, Elena T. The great debate: If and when to spay or neuter. April 2018. Colorado State University 79th Annual Conference for Veterinarians. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Presentation. Research with Practice Impact: Effect of Feliway on recurrent signs of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). September 2017. Colorado Veterinary Medical Association Convention. Loveland, Colorado.

Speaker. Spaying and neutering: Research and advances. May 2014. Weld County Veterinary Medical Assn. Greeley, Colorado.

Presentation. Spaying and neutering: Is it old news? What’s the new news? March 2014. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals / Colorado State University Annual Shelter Conference. Fort Collins, Colorado.