McCaide Thomas Wooten

EDUCATION

Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, 2022
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 2019
Bachelor of Science - Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, 2015
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science, North Carolina State University, 2015

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Veterinary, Epidemiology, Animal Science and Zoology, Infectious Diseases

Scopus Publications

Models reveal the importance of alternative hosts and environmental transmission for emergence of bacterial disease in muskoxen in the Arctic
Juan S. Vargas Soto, Marina Reyne, McCaide Wooten, Sreejith Radhakrishnan, Fabien Mavrot, Susan Kutz, Taya Forde, Eric R. Morgan
Ecological Modelling, 2026
• Mechanistic model including multiple host species and environmental transmission. • Feces are more important than carcasses for transmission despite shorter persistence. • Alternative hosts could accelerate population decline of vulnerable species. • Flexible framework useful for other environmentally transmitted wildlife diseases. Emerging diseases are an increasing concern for vulnerable wildlife populations. Studying these is particularly challenging in systems with multiple hosts and environmental transmission, but models can provide critical insights into their dynamics and guide further research and management. We built a multi-species model of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae , a bacterium that has caused mass mortalities of muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus ) in the Canadian Arctic, parameterized it with data from the literature, and analyzed it to predict the role of different hosts (muskoxen and Arctic foxes) and the importance of different environmental transmission sources (carcasses and feces). Based on the model’s basic reproduction number, R 0 , we predicted bacteria establish only if they were transmitted directly or via feces and not if bacteria were acquired solely from infected carcases. Accordingly, sensitivity analyses revealed that processes affecting environmental transmission, like bacterial shedding and persistence outside the host, had the greatest influence on R 0 . Numerical solution of the model showed that disease-induced mortality could produce strong population declines, which could be accelerated as alternative hosts decouple transmission to muskoxen from their population density. Our research highlights the need to understand bacterial contamination in environmental reservoirs like soil and ponds, and species overlap; this is particularly relevant given the wide array of potential hosts in this system, which includes foxes, wolves, polar bears, caribou, hares, lemmings, and ravens. Our modelling approach combining multiple data sources provides a flexible and efficient framework to generate actionable insights that support specific research and guide management of similarly complex wildlife diseases.
Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) and Genomics in the Community (MAGIC): setting the stage for the co-development of genomics tools in an iconic Arctic mammal
S. Crookes, S. Mishra, E. Marston, S. Kutz, M. Wooten, W. Justus, C. Caudill, C.J. Kyle, E.A. Angulalik, G. Allen, R. Guindon, K. Wolki, S. Lucas, C.C. Helbing, S.D. Côté, A. Dobson, B. Parr, O. Lung, R.S. Taylor, M. Manseau, A. Gunn, P. Pulsifer, M. Murray, S. Bhatnagar, the Community of Ekaluktutiak
Arctic Science, 2026
Muskox ( Ovibos moschatus, Zimmermann 1780), or Umingmak (in Inuktitut), is a critical component of the terrestrial Arctic ecosystem. In many regions, muskoxen are key to Inuit food security and important to cultural identity, while also providing economic opportunity. Although muskox populations in Greenland and part of Canada appear to be thriving, others are experiencing an uncertain future. A comprehensive understanding of factors driving demographic change, including Indigenous and western science-based knowledge of muskox biology and the Arctic ecosystem in which it lives, is necessary to safeguard populations in the crosshairs of climate change. The inclusion of genomic (or DNA-based) tools into management is predicated on Inuit needs and the amenability of such tools for co-development with Indigenous and scientific partners. The Muskox and Genomics in the Community (MAGIC) workshop was held in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut in January 2024, providing a cross-cultural grounding for discussion on the co-development of genomic tools for muskox conservation and management. Outcomes included forging opportunities for co-learning and knowledge exchange around genomics science and Inuit traditional ecological knowledge, identification of relevant species for whole genome sequencing, documentation of knowledge gaps in muskox biology, and laying conceptual foundations for the co-development of genomics tools based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clone reemergence in association with a multi-year mass mortality event in high Arctic muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)
McCaide T. Wooten, Taya L. Forde, Amélie Roberto-Charron, Matthew Fredlund, Tabitha Mullin, Olaf A. Christensen, Angela Schneider, Sreejith Radhakrishnan, Dayna Goldsmith, Eugene Lau, Fabien Mavrot, L. Vineesha Seru, Tianjiao Fang, Ronan M. Donovan, H. Dean Cluff, Frank van der Meer, Susan J. Kutz
Scientific Reports, 2025
We investigated a multi-year mass mortality event in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) on Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands, Nunavut, Canada and linked the deaths with the "Arctic clone" of the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (Er), making this the third reported independent mass mortality event in muskoxen associated with this bacterial strain. Between 2021 and 2024, we collected and analyzed samples from 139 unique muskox carcass sites using gross and microscopic pathology, bacterial culture, and molecular methods. Er Arctic clone was found in association with > 70% of sampled carcasses. Our results underscore the geographic expanse over which this unique clonal lineage of Er has now spread, its apparently high virulence in muskoxen, and its ongoing importance as a consideration in conservation and monitoring efforts related to this species.
A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH INFESTATION BY THE MITE STERNOSTOMA TRACHEACOLUM IN AN AVIARY-HOUSED POPULATION OF GOULDIAN FINCHES (CHLOEBIA GOULDIAE)
McCaide T. Wooten, Carmel Witte, Meg Sutherland-Smith, Patricia M. Gaffney, Kathryn C. Conlon
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2024
The Rhynonyssid mesostigmatic mite, Sternostoma tracheacolum, is a well-documented endoparasitic hematophagous arthropod of the respiratory tracts of multiple avian species, particularly Estrildid finches and canaries. In this retrospective study, 175 medical and 278 pathology records for the Gouldian finch (Chloebia gouldiae) population (N = 377) at the San Diego Zoo between 2013 and 2021 were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of ivermectin-based prophylaxis. A multivariable negative binomial regression model was constructed to evaluate the population effects of monthly treatments on morbidity or mortality associated with respiratory mites. While controlling for other factors in the model, the prophylactic treatment did not significantly reduce the monthly rate of mite-associated morbidity or mortality (IRR = 1.017, 95% CI: 0.997-1.036, P = 0.0759); however, low proportions of the population were prophylactically treated over time. Different factors were significant when separately evaluating adjusted associations with respiratory morbidity and mortality. The findings suggest increased rates of respiratory morbidity for each successive year of the study period (IRR = 1.180, 95% CI: 1.046-1.342, P = 0.0090) and increased rates of mite-associated mortality occurring annually between May and October (IRR = 1.697, 95% CI: 1.034-2.855, P = 0.0404) compared to the wet winter season. Our findings highlight the need to continually evaluate and optimize treatment regimens in zoological collections. Further investigations into this host-parasite relationship and potential treatments and preventive therapies are warranted.
Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio in neonatal foals with sepsis
Rebeca Scalco, Gabriela Novo de Oliveira, Bruna da Rosa Curcio, McCaide Wooten, K. Gary Magdesian, Stephanie Takako Hidai, Pranav Pandit, Monica Aleman
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2023
BackgroundRapid and accurate markers to aid diagnosis of sepsis are needed in neonatal foals. The CBC variable red blood cell distribution width (RDW) to platelet ratio (RPR) is associated with inflammatory response and linked to poor outcomes of sepsis in human patients.HypothesisExplore the correlation of RPR with sepsis in neonatal foals and evaluate RPR predictive and prognostic value.AnimalsThree hundred seventeen hospitalized neonatal foals ≤7 days of age that had a CBC and physical exam performed at admission between 2012 and 2021.MethodsRetrospective case‐control study. Clinical records were used to calculate sepsis scores and define groups. Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio was calculated and compared between groups (septic vs nonseptic) based on Kruskal‐Wallis and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests. A multivariate logistic regression model to predict sepsis was created. The cutoff for RPR was obtained based on the maximal Youden Index. The Kaplan‐Meier method and the log‐rank test were used to estimate survival curves and compare survival rates based on RPR.ResultsRed blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio was significantly higher in septic foals (Median = 0.099, confidence interval [CI] [0.093; 0.108]) than in sick nonseptic (0.085, CI [0.083; 0.089]) and healthy foals (0.081, CI [0.077; 0.086]; P < .0001). Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio was able to predict sepsis with high accuracy (AUC = 82.1%). The optimal RPR cutoff for sepsis was 0.09.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceRed blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio calculation is practical, inexpensive, and based on CBC‐derived data. Calculation of RPR along with CBC can aid in the diagnosis of sepsis and estimation of outcome.
In sea turtles presenting for cold-stunning (sustained hypothermia), what blood analytes routinely evaluated at intake provide the most prognostic value?
McCaide Wooten
Veterinary Evidence, 2023
Question In sea turtles presenting for cold-stunning (sustained hypothermia), what blood analytes routinely evaluated at intake provide the most prognostic value? Clinical bottom line Category of research question Prognosis. The number and type of study designs reviewed Ten studies were included in this evaluation including the following study designs: eight retrospective case series, one cross-sectional, and one retrospective cohort. Strength of evidence Weak. Outcomes reported The most consistent finding across all included studies in cold-stunned sea turtles was acidosis (suspected both respiratory or metabolic components) characterised by reduced blood pH, elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and reduced partial pressure of oxygen (pO2). However, this finding was not necessarily linked with failure of rehabilitation. Rather, sea turtles presenting for cold-stunning that did not survive rehabilitative therapy were typically in extreme states of homeostatic derangement involving acidosis, but often in conjunction with additional abnormalities (e.g. anaemia, sepsis, organ failure or dysfunction, pneumonia, etc.). Conclusion As might be expected, the evaluated literature did not reveal a single or series of blood analytes that were definitively linked with the success or failure of rehabilitation in sea turtles presenting for cold-stunning. However, they did identify analytes that may provide the most clinical value in this clinical situation including packed cell volume (PCV), estimated white blood cell count (WBC), total and / or ionised calcium, pH, potassium (K), and lactate. Review of the available studies on the topic provides insightful information that can aid clinicians addressing this syndrome to triage and treat affected individuals most effectively. It also elucidated areas of opportunity for further research. How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.
Gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to seminal vesicle cystic hyperplasia in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
McCaide T. Wooten, Timothy A. Snider
Veterinary Record Case Reports, 2022
A 3‐year‐old, male, entire African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented for a 10‐day history of hyporexia, mucoid green faeces and lethargy. Survey radiographs revealed a left caudal abdominal mass effect with cranial displacement and gas distension of the intestinal loops. During exploratory laparotomy, the cause of the mass effect was revealed to be grossly enlarged seminal vesicles, which were excised. Histopathology revealed uniform polycystic glandular architecture, consistent with benign cystic hyperplasia. The patient recovered and was clinically healthy at the last follow‐up examination. This is the first detailed report describing the antemortem diagnosis of benign seminal vesicular cystic hyperplasia resulting in presumptive clinical gastrointestinal disease in an African pygmy hedgehog.
Effect of Nutritional Variance of Energy and Crude Protein on Sex Ratio and Development of W-36 Parent Offspring
McCaide T. Wooten, Zachary S. Lowman, Christopher M. Ashwell
Poultry Science Journal, 2021
Past studies have shown a link between maternal condition or resource availability, and the resultant sex ratio of offspring in avian species, both wild and domesticated. This study utilized 200 male and 400 female chicks from a W-36 white leghorn parent stock and assessed the effects of three diets with different caloric and protein concentrations on the sex ratios of the Hy-Line W-36 laying hens. As expected, the development of both parent and filial generations was significantly affected by diet or egg composition, respectively. Sex ratio was not significantly different from an assumed population proportion of 0.50 across all experimental groups, but did approach significance among offspring of parents switched from “High” to “Control” diets at 17 weeks of age. Results suggest that continual availability of either high- or low-nutrient density feed resources does not predispose hens to bias the sex ratio of their offspring; however, a sudden change in diet, particularly to one of lower protein concentration, may influence such an effect. Further trials are needed to assess the efficacy of diet alteration prior to reproductive maturity as a means of sex allocation manipulation.
Protein and caloric intake on the reproductive performance parameters of Hyline W-36 parent stock males
Zachary S. Lowman, McCaide T. Wooten, Christopher M. Ashwell, Kenneth E. Anderso, H. John Barne
International Journal of Poultry Science, 2017
Background and Objective: Reproduction in poultry has been studied for many years and is a crucial factor to consider when selecting and raising parental lines. Considerable work has focused on broiler breeder males, which has led to the development of feed restriction practices, as well as sex separate rearing, however very little research has been done on layer-type males. In broiler breeders a negative correlation has been found to exist between the Body Weights (BW) and sexual activity of the male. This study was conducted to explore the role of diet during grow out on reproductive traits in leghorn type males. Materials and Methods: Hyline parent stock males were raised on 3 different diets Low (12% CP) Control (18% CP) and High (24% CP). As birds reached sexual maturity, Body Weight (BW), testis size, semen volume, sperm concentration and histology were measured. Results: This trial demonstrated significant (p<0.0001) differences in body weights between the diets. The mean BW of birds were 1214.87, 1435.41 and 1475.96 g fed on the Low diet, control and high diet, respectively. There were significant differences observed in testicle weights. The Low group had a significantly lower mean weight as compared with Control and High groups. Differences in semen volume were observed between the dietary treatment groups, as well as, differences in sperm concentrations at 18-20 weeks of age. Significant differences in development were seen between High and Low groups upon histological examination and scoring on a 0-6 scale, 0 = Immature (no spermatozoa) to 6 = Fully mature (spermatozoa present in all tubules) of the testes high (3.9) low (1.2). Conclusion: These results suggest that feeding high nutrient dense diets during rearing does not result in a decrease in production as observed in broiler breeder males and that low nutrient diets are not as beneficial in layer males as in broiler breeder males.
Impact of egg shape on hatchability in pekin ducks
Zachary S. Lowman, Carmen R. Parkhurst, McCaide T. Wooten
International Journal of Poultry Science, 2016
Hatchability and duckling quality are of the utmost importance for commercial hatcheries. Many factors can affect hatchability and quality of the newly hatched ducklings. The importance of egg shell quality has been studied extensively in both turkey and chickens, however very little research has been directed toward ducks. This trial explored the effect that the overall shape of a duck egg plays on the moisture loss, hatchability, shell thickness, and pore concentration of eggs.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Models reveal the importance of alternative hosts and environmental transmission for emergence of bacterial disease in muskoxen in the Arctic
JSV Soto, M Reyne, MC Wooten, S Radhakrishnan, F Mavrot, S Kutz, ...
Ecological Modelling 517, 111602 , 2026
2026
Muskox ( Ovibos moschatus ) and Genomics in the Community (MAGIC): setting the stage for the co-development of genomics tools in an iconic Arctic mammal
S Crookes, S Mishra, E Marston, S Kutz, M Wooten, W Justus, C Caudill, ...
Arctic Science 12, 1-11 , 2026
2026
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clone reemergence in association with a multi-year mass mortality event in high Arctic muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus )
MCT Wooten, TL Forde, A Roberto-Charron, M Fredlund, T Mullin, ...
Scientific Reports 15 (1), 43135 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1
High-resolution genomic analyses offer unique insights into the emergence of a bacterial pathogen of ungulates in the Canadian Arctic
S Radhakrishnan, MC Wooten, F Mavrot, Y Zeng, N Mollentze, LV Seru, ...
Proceedings of the Annual Conference of The Society for Veterinary … , 2025
2025
A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH INFESTATION BY THE MITE STERNOSTOMA TRACHEACOLUM IN AN AVIARY-HOUSED POPULATION OF GOULDIAN FINCHES …
MCT Wooten, C Witte, M Sutherland-Smith, PM Gaffney, KC Conlon
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 55 (1), 57-66 , 2024
2024
Citations: 1
Parasitic larval nematode meningoencephalitis in a blue shark (Prionace glauca) causing abnormal behavior
MC Wooten, B DePoister, J Humphrey, R Jones
The Aquatic Veterinarian 18 (1), 22-24 , 2024
2024
Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio in neonatal foals with sepsis
R Scalco, GN de Oliveira, B da Rosa Curcio, MC Wooten, KG Magdesian, ...
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 37 (4), 1552-1560 , 2023
2023
Citations: 19
In sea turtles presenting for cold-stunning (sustained hypothermia), what blood analytes routinely evaluated at intake provide the most prognostic value?
MC Wooten
Veterinary Evidence 8 (1) , 2023
2023
Gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to seminal vesicle cystic hyperplasia in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
MCT Wooten, TA Snider
Veterinary Record Case Reports, e446 , 2022
2022
Citations: 5
Effect of Nutritional Variance of Energy and Crude Protein on Sex Ratio and Development of W-36 Parent Offspring
MCT Wooten, ZS Lowman, CM Ashwell
Poultry Science Journal 9 (2), 255-262 , 2021
2021
Protein and Caloric Intake on the Reproductive Performance Parameters of Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock Males
ZS Lowman, MCT Wooten, CM Ashwell, KE Anderson
International Journal of Poultry Science 16 (7), 242-247 , 2017
2017
Citations: 1
Impact of egg shape on hatchability in Pekin ducks
ZS Lowman, CR Parkhurst, MCT Wooten
International Journal of Poultry Science 15 (5), 188-191 , 2016
2016
Citations: 3

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio in neonatal foals with sepsis
R Scalco, GN de Oliveira, B da Rosa Curcio, MC Wooten, KG Magdesian, ...
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 37 (4), 1552-1560 , 2023
2023
Citations: 19
Gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to seminal vesicle cystic hyperplasia in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
MCT Wooten, TA Snider
Veterinary Record Case Reports, e446 , 2022
2022
Citations: 5
Impact of egg shape on hatchability in Pekin ducks
ZS Lowman, CR Parkhurst, MCT Wooten
International Journal of Poultry Science 15 (5), 188-191 , 2016
2016
Citations: 3
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae clone reemergence in association with a multi-year mass mortality event in high Arctic muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus )
MCT Wooten, TL Forde, A Roberto-Charron, M Fredlund, T Mullin, ...
Scientific Reports 15 (1), 43135 , 2025
2025
Citations: 1
A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH INFESTATION BY THE MITE STERNOSTOMA TRACHEACOLUM IN AN AVIARY-HOUSED POPULATION OF GOULDIAN FINCHES …
MCT Wooten, C Witte, M Sutherland-Smith, PM Gaffney, KC Conlon
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 55 (1), 57-66 , 2024
2024
Citations: 1
Protein and Caloric Intake on the Reproductive Performance Parameters of Hy-Line W-36 Parent Stock Males
ZS Lowman, MCT Wooten, CM Ashwell, KE Anderson
International Journal of Poultry Science 16 (7), 242-247 , 2017
2017
Citations: 1
Models reveal the importance of alternative hosts and environmental transmission for emergence of bacterial disease in muskoxen in the Arctic
JSV Soto, M Reyne, MC Wooten, S Radhakrishnan, F Mavrot, S Kutz, ...
Ecological Modelling 517, 111602 , 2026
2026
Muskox ( Ovibos moschatus ) and Genomics in the Community (MAGIC): setting the stage for the co-development of genomics tools in an iconic Arctic mammal
S Crookes, S Mishra, E Marston, S Kutz, M Wooten, W Justus, C Caudill, ...
Arctic Science 12, 1-11 , 2026
2026
High-resolution genomic analyses offer unique insights into the emergence of a bacterial pathogen of ungulates in the Canadian Arctic
S Radhakrishnan, MC Wooten, F Mavrot, Y Zeng, N Mollentze, LV Seru, ...
Proceedings of the Annual Conference of The Society for Veterinary … , 2025
2025
Parasitic larval nematode meningoencephalitis in a blue shark (Prionace glauca) causing abnormal behavior
MC Wooten, B DePoister, J Humphrey, R Jones
The Aquatic Veterinarian 18 (1), 22-24 , 2024
2024
In sea turtles presenting for cold-stunning (sustained hypothermia), what blood analytes routinely evaluated at intake provide the most prognostic value?
MC Wooten
Veterinary Evidence 8 (1) , 2023
2023
Effect of Nutritional Variance of Energy and Crude Protein on Sex Ratio and Development of W-36 Parent Offspring
MCT Wooten, ZS Lowman, CM Ashwell
Poultry Science Journal 9 (2), 255-262 , 2021
2021