About

Sarah Ho is the Director of Student Engagement at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University. Her role involves fostering a lively campus community that enriches students' academic, personal, and professional development. She emphasizes creating a caring, collaborative culture where students study, socialize, and build lifelong friendships alongside faculty and staff who support their success. Her work includes overseeing student engagement initiatives, supporting extracurricular activities, and promoting opportunities such as study abroad programs, research projects, and community building within the college.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Anesthesia
• Chemistry
• Cardiology
• Surgery
• Pharmacology
• Radiology

Selected publications

• Inadvertent Epidural Injection of Cefazolin in a Dog

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To report a case of inadvertent epidural injection of cefazolin in a dog. CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog weighing 37.2 kg was presented to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center's emergency room after the inadvertent epidural administration of cefazolin. The dog was referred from a primary care veterinarian, where it was being prepared for routine lateral suture cranial cruciate ligament repair. After premedication and induction, 800 mg of cefazolin (volume 8 mL) was inadvertently administered into the epidural space. Recovery from anesthesia was uneventful, with the dog showing no immediate adverse effects or seizure activity. The dog's vitals remained stable until transfer to the tertiary facility, where it exhibited signs of residual sedation that resolved appropriately over time with naloxone. The dog was monitored overnight and discharged the next day without complications observed. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Recognizing that drug and communication errors are the most common errors in medicine is a critical first step toward implementing interventions aimed at enhancing patient safety and outcomes. Although inadvertent caudal epidural injections of cefazolin have been documented in people, this case appears to be the first report in veterinary medicine.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Successful Use of High‐Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy in Three Dogs With Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To report the use of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNOT) in three dogs with carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from smoke inhalation. SERIES SUMMARY: Three dogs were presented to the emergency room with carbon monoxide poisoning associated with house fires. Blood CO-oximetry at the time of presentation confirmed markedly increased carboxyhemoglobin levels. The dogs were treated with 4-7 h of HFNOT to eliminate carboxyhemoglobin. The calculated half-lives of carboxyhemoglobin during HFNOT for Dogs 1, 2, and 3 were 79, 86, and 77 min, respectively. All three dogs survived to discharge, and no delayed complications of carbon monoxide poisoning were reported. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case series of dogs treated with HFNOT for carbon monoxide poisoning. HFNOT was shown to be effective at removing carbon monoxide, reducing the half-life of carboxyhemoglobin from 77 to 86 min. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin and the effectiveness of HFNOT should be further investigated in a larger sample of dogs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• High-flow nasal oxygen therapy reduces work of breathing without altering systemic oxygen delivery or consumption in healthy, anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs

  American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2026-04-27

  articleOpen access

  Objective: To determine whether high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT) reduces esophageal pressure-derived work of breathing (WOB) indices and alters systemic oxygen balance in healthy, anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, crossover experimental study, 6 healthy adult Beagles received HFNOT at 0 (control), 1, or 2 L/kg/min (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.21) under alfaxalone total IV anesthesia, with ≥ 7-day washout periods. Measurements were obtained at baseline and 10, 20, and 30 minutes after flow initiation. Primary outcomes were esophageal pressure swing and esophageal pressure-rate product. Oxygen delivery index, oxygen consumption index, and oxygen extraction ratio were calculated using Fick-derived methods and thermodilution cardiac output. Results: At 2 L/kg/min, esophageal pressure-rate product decreased from 134.9 ± 49.7 cm H2O·breaths/min at baseline to 50.6 ± 21.1 cm H2O·breaths/min, 54.6 ± 22.9 cm H2O·breaths/min, and 48.7 ± 23.8 cm H2O·breaths/min at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after initiation, respectively; esophageal pressure swing decreased from 7.1 ± 2.1 cm H2O to 4.7 ± 1.9 cm H2O at 10 minutes after initiation. The respiratory rate decreased during the 1- and 2-L/kg/min sessions. In contrast, oxygen delivery index, oxygen consumption index, oxygen extraction ratio, arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and mixed venous oxygen saturation of hemoglobin remained stable across flow conditions and time points. Conclusions: HFNOT at 2 L/kg/min reduced surrogate indices of WOB without altering systemic oxygen delivery or consumption in healthy anesthetized dogs. Clinical Relevance: HFNOT may reduce respiratory effort independently of changes in oxygen metabolism, supporting its physiological safety and potential role in modulating breathing mechanics in veterinary patients.

  PublisherDOI

• Retrospective Assessment of the Oxygenation Index in Dogs Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation for Primary Pulmonary Parenchymal Disease

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2026-02-19

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the oxygenation index (OI) and survival in mechanically ventilated dogs with primary pulmonary parenchymal disease. DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter study. SETTING: Three veterinary medical teaching institutions and one private veterinary referral center. ANIMALS: Seventy-nine client-owned dogs. INTERVENTIONS: None. METHODS: (PF) ratio were calculated for dogs undergoing mechanical ventilation for primary pulmonary disease. Median OI was lower in survivors (2.6) than nonsurvivors (6.6; p < 0.001), while PF was higher in survivors (317.9 vs. 177.9; p < 0.001). OI predicted mortality with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.73, sensitivity of 65%, and specificity of 80% at an optimal cutoff of 4.3. Median PF had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.72, sensitivity of 70%, and specificity of 73% at an optimal cutoff of 237.8. Each 1-unit increase in OI was associated with a 35% higher mortality risk (odds ratio: 1.35; 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.61). Survivors showed greater improvement in OI during ventilation (p = 0.004). Using Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference and pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome thresholds, survival likelihood declined with increasing severity, with no survivors in the severe category (OI >16). Similar trends were observed using updated Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference-2 criteria and acute respiratory distress syndrome severity classifications. CONCLUSIONS: Higher OI values and lower PF ratios were associated with mortality in this group of mechanically ventilated dogs, with both metrics demonstrating similar predictive accuracy. Results suggest species-specific OI and PF thresholds are needed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Therapies Versus Medical Therapy for the Treatment of Severe Baclofen Intoxication in Dogs

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2026-02-10

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of treatment with extracorporeal therapy (ECT) and medical therapy (MED) in dogs with baclofen intoxication. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective study between June 1, 2013, and October 31, 2023. SETTING: Six university teaching hospitals and three private specialty hospitals. ANIMALS: Eighty dogs treated for baclofen intoxication. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 80 (36%) dogs required endotracheal intubation, and 18 (23%) required mechanical ventilation (MV). Twenty-one (26%) dogs were treated with ECT, and 59 (74%) dogs received MED. The median estimated maximal exposure dose was 8.3 mg/kg (range: 3.6-48 mg/kg) in the ECT group and 5.7 mg/kg (range: 0.46-132 mg/kg) in the MED group (p = 0.044). Nine of 21 (43%) dogs treated with ECT had an improvement in their level of consciousness. The mean duration of MV was 20 ± 11 h in dogs treated with ECT and 23 ± 23 h in dogs treated with MED. The median hospitalization time was 58 h (range: 17-124 h) in the ECT group and 24 h (range: 0.5-188 h) in the MED group. Survival was 95% for dogs treated with ECT and 92% for dogs treated with MED. Multivariable Poisson regression modeling was performed, controlling for estimated maximal exposure dose (mg/kg). ECT was associated with a shorter duration of MV (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.76 [95% CI: 0.58-0.99]; p = 0.038). However, ECT was associated with longer hospitalization times (IRR: 1.57 [95% CI: 1.45-1.71]; p < 0.001). No association was found between the use of ECT and survival (odds ratio: 1.61 [95% CI: 0.16-16.13]; p = 0.684). CONCLUSIONS: ECT is associated with high survival despite large estimated exposure doses. Although ECT was associated with a shorter duration of MV, no difference was found in survival or hospitalization time.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Retrospective Evaluation of Stair‐Related Injuries in Dogs Presenting to Emergency Centers: 61 Cases (2017–2022)

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2025-11-01

  article

  OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of stair-related injuries in dogs and estimate injury frequencies in patients presenting to veterinary trauma centers. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of medical records in canine trauma cases. SETTING: Two university teaching hospitals. ANIMALS: Sixty-one dogs presented to university-based emergency centers after falling down the stairs between January 2017 and July 2022. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-one dogs presenting with a history of falling down the stairs that underwent complete physical examination were included. Dogs with severe preexisting comorbidities and cats were excluded. Injuries were categorized based on the body system affected (head, spine, extremity, thorax, abdomen) and further subcategorized based on the level of severity (mild, moderate, severe). Geriatric and nongeriatric populations were compared. Mild (ambulatory paraparesis), moderate (nonambulatory paraparesis), and severe (paraplegia) myelopathies occurred in 18% (n = 11), 11% (n = 7), and 5% (n = 3) of cases, respectively. Mild (lameness), moderate (lameness with tendon or ligament disruption or bony luxation), and severe (bony fracture) extremity injuries had a prevalence of 28% (n = 17), 7% (n = 4), and 13% (n = 8), respectively. Traumatic brain injury was documented in 8% of cases, and no cases of thoracic or abdominal trauma were documented. There were no differences in odds of traumatic brain injury, extremity injury, spinal cord injury, or severity of injuries between geriatric and nongeriatric patients. Forty-five (74%) cases were discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Falls involving stairs are associated with various forms of injury in dogs. Many cases were mild, allowing for outpatient management. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine whether the fall caused the injury or whether disease precipitated the fall (e.g., myelopathy, pathological fracture). The small sample size of this population likely limited the ability to detect significant differences in pattern of injury between geriatric and nongeriatric patients. Further investigation with a larger population size is warranted.

  PublisherDOI

• Impact of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy on esophageal pressure and cardiovascular function in healthy, anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs

  American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2025-09-05

  articleOpen access

  Objective: To determine whether high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT) induces changes in esophageal pressure, a surrogate for intrathoracic pressure, and to evaluate the associated cardiovascular and respiratory effects in healthy dogs. Methods: A prospective, randomized study was conducted in 6 healthy Beagles. Anesthesia was induced and maintained using alfaxalone total IV anesthesia. High-flow nasal oxygen therapy was applied in the following 4 stages: baseline, HFNOT at 1 and 2 L/kg/min (each for 10 minutes in a randomized order), and post-HFNOT (15-minute recovery period). Measurements taken at each stage included esophageal pressure, cardiovascular parameters, and respiratory parameters. Results: Both end-expiratory and end-inspiratory esophageal pressures increased in a flow rate-dependent manner (end-expiratory esophageal pressure: -1.2 ± 1.1, 1.3 ± 1.7, and 4.7 ± 3.0 cm H2O; end-inspiratory esophageal pressure: -7.1 ± 1.8, -4.2 ± 1.8, and -0.2 ± 3.4 cm H2O at baseline, 1 L/kg/min, and 2 L/kg/min, respectively). Cardiac index remained unchanged across flow rates, whereas mean arterial pressure increased at 2 L/kg/min compared with baseline (82.0 ± 7.2 vs 77.5 ± 7.9 mm Hg, respectively). Respiratory rate decreased at 2 L/kg/min compared with baseline (11 ± 3 vs 18 ± 6 breaths/min, respectively). Arterial blood gas values were not different across flow rates. Conclusions: High-flow nasal oxygen therapy increased esophageal pressure without cardiovascular compromise in healthy, anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs. Additionally, HFNOT reduced the respiratory rate without altering arterial blood gas values. Clinical Relevance: In healthy, anesthetized dogs, HFNOT induced measurable changes in intrathoracic pressure without clinically relevant alteration in cardiovascular or respiratory function.

  PublisherDOI

• Comparison of SpO ₂ /FiO ₂ and PaO ₂ /FiO ₂ Ratios in Mechanically Ventilated Dogs

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2025-11-01

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether the SpO 2 /FiO 2 (SF) ratio correlates with the PaO 2 /FiO 2 (PF) ratio in mechanically ventilated dogs. Design Prospective, multicenter, longitudinal, observational study. Setting Private veterinary referral center and a veterinary medical teaching institution. Animals Thirty‐seven client‐owned dogs requiring mechanical ventilation between April 2021 and April 2023. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results SpO 2 and FiO 2 values in mechanically ventilated dogs were recorded at the time of arterial blood gas sampling. SpO 2 values between 80% and 97%, PaO 2 , and FiO 2 were used to calculate and determine the relationship between SF and PF ratios. The weighted Spearman correlation coefficient between the ratios was 0.70 ( p &lt; 0.0001), and the relationship between them was described by the following linear mixed model: SF = 0.50 × (PF) + 103. The linear model predicted that SF ratios of 153, 203, and 253 correspond with PF ratios of 100, 200, and 300, respectively. There was an adequate to outstanding discriminatory ability for SF to predict PF &lt;100 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97), PF &lt;200 (AUC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88–0.96), and PF &lt;300 (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.69–0.85). Conclusions In this population, SF and PF ratios were strongly correlated, suggesting that SF ratios may serve as a reliable, noninvasive substitute for PF ratios when assessing oxygenation in mechanically ventilated dogs. The linear mixed model identified SF values corresponding to PF ratios of 100, 200, and 300. However, given the wide level of agreement between SaO 2 and SpO 2 measurements in this study, arterial blood gas analysis remains the gold standard for assessing oxygenation. Further studies are warranted to investigate the ability of SF and PF ratios to predict clinical outcomes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Prediction of Fluid Responsiveness Based on the External Jugular Vein Distensibility Index After Changes in Volume Status in Healthy, Anesthetized, and Mechanically Ventilated Dogs

  Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care · 2025-04-29

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Objective To investigate whether point‐of‐care ultrasound of the external jugular vein (EJV) can predict fluid responsiveness (FR) in healthy, anesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs. Design Prospective, nonrandomized experimental study. Setting University‐based small animal research facility. Animals Six healthy Beagle dogs. Interventions Dogs were investigated at six time points (TPs): baseline (TP 1 ); 20 mL/kg of circulating blood was collected over 10 min (TP 2 ); half of the collected blood was autotransfused for 10 min (TP 3 ); remaining collected blood was autotransfused for 10 min (TP 4 ); 0.9% normal saline (10 mL/kg for 10 min) was administered (TP 5 ); and an additional dose of 0.9% normal saline (10 mL/kg for 10 min) was administered (TP 6 ). Hemodynamic variables, Doppler images of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), and M‐mode images of the EJV were obtained at each TP. FR was evaluated during TP 3–6 . FR was defined as an increase of &gt;15% in the LVOT velocity time integral following fluid challenge, while other results were defined as fluid nonresponsiveness (FNR). The external jugular vein distensibility index (EJVDI) was calculated as follows: [(maximal EJV diameter − minimal EJV diameter)/minimal EJV diameter] × 100%. The maximal EJV diameter was measured during inspiration, and the minimal EJV diameter was measured during expiration. In addition, gray zones indicating the range of diagnostic uncertainty were proposed in various indices for predicting FR. Measurements and Main Results Among the 24 fluid challenges performed between TP 3 and TP 6 , 11 FR and 13 FNR were identified. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the EJVDI in predicting FR was 0.92, with a cut‐ff value of 22.7%, and the gray zone was identified as 22.6%–27.3%. Conclusions The EJVDI could be used to predict FR in healthy, anesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs. Further studies are required before point‐of‐care ultrasound of the EJV can be applied in various clinical settings.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Mechanical ventilation beyond 24 hours is associated with improved survival outcomes in dogs: a multi-institutional analysis of 258 cases (2019–2025)

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2025-12-18

  article

  Objective: To evaluate survival outcomes in dogs undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) when accounting for ventilation duration and euthanasia context, and to determine survival rates in patients ventilated ≥ 24 hours. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, records were reviewed from dogs undergoing all-cause MV at 3 academic referral hospitals and 2 private specialty hospitals between March 2019 and January 2025. Data collected included underlying diagnosis, indication for MV, ventilation duration, and outcome. Indications were categorized as increased work of breathing, severe hypoxemia (Pao2 < 60 mm Hg or peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin as measured by pulse oximetry < 90% despite supplemental oxygen), or hypoventilation (Paco2 ≥ 60 mm Hg). Ventilation duration was classified as < 24 hours or ≥ 24 hours, and reasons for euthanasia were recorded when available. Results: Of 258 dogs, 85 (32.9%) survived to discharge, 105 (40.7%) were euthanized, and 68 (26.4%) died. Survival was 52.3% for dogs ventilated ≥ 24 hours compared to 13.3% for those ventilated < 24 hours. Overall, 64.7% of euthanasias occurred within 24 hours and 28.6% were financially driven. Median ventilation duration among survivors was 48 hours (range, 24 to 356 hours). Conclusions: This multi-institutional study demonstrates improved survival outcome with a 52% survival to discharge for patients ventilated ≥ 24 hours compared to patients ventilated < 24 hours. These findings suggest that once a patient surpasses the initial 24-hour period on MV, prognosis stabilizes at approximately 50:50, aligning more closely with human ICU survival rates. Clinical Relevance: These findings support MV as a viable therapeutic option in veterinary critical care, and updated survival statistics provide a basis for prognostic discussions and treatment decisions.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Bernard Allaouchiche

  Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

  14 shared

• Céline Pouzot‐Nevoret

  Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

  10 shared

• Jeong-Min Lee

  The Ohio State University

  7 shared

• Erik H. Hofmeister

  Auburn University

  6 shared

• Kendon Kuo

  Auburn University

  5 shared

• Yael Merbl

  Cornell University

  5 shared

• Patrick Verwaerde

  Université Paris-Est Créteil

  4 shared

• Lenore M. Bacek

  AdventHealth Tampa

  4 shared

Education

• Master of Biomedical Science

  Auburn University

  2020

• ECFVG, Evaluated Clinical Evaluation

  Louisiana State University

  2016

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

  Chungnam National University

  2012

Awards & honors

• Professional Program Teaching Honor Roll, The Ohio State Uni…
• Top International Graduate Student Award, Auburn University,…