Kavitha Kongara, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, FHEA

Associate Professor, Anatomy and Physiology

• BVSc: ANGR Agricultural University, Tirupathi, India
• MVSc: ANGR Agriculturral University, Rajendra Nagar, India
• PhD: School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, New Zealand
• FHEA: Higher Education Academy, UK

kongarak@rowan.edu 

Dr. Kavitha Kongara has been teaching veterinary gross anatomy and embryology for over 14 years. She has a passion for fostering a deep understanding of the intricacies of the animal body in future veterinarians. With a strong background in both traditional and digital teaching methods, Dr. Kongara employs innovative techniques to engage students and promote a hands-on learning environment. She obtained a fellowship from Advance HE, UK for professionalism in teaching and supporting learning in higher education. She has also contributed to advancements in anatomical education by presenting her research at international conferences. Dr Kongara teaches gross anatomy in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum at Rowan’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Her research focuses on addressing critical questions related to pain mechanisms, recognition, assessment, and management in both small and large animals. With a robust background in pain physiology, pharmacology, and clinical research, Dr. Kongara dedicates her work to advancing the field of pain management in animals.  Dr. Kongara has so far supervised 11 postgraduate students (5 PhD and 6 Masters) to completion.

Publications

• PUBMED- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=kongara+k#
• Sahebjam F, Kongara K, et al. (2024) Minimizing pain in deer antler removal: Local anaesthetics in ZnO nanoparticle-based collagen dressings as a promising solution. Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 197,114237.
• Kongara K, et al. (2023) Pain Assessment in Goat Kids: Focus on Disbudding. Animals 13(24):3814
• Kongara K, et al. (2023) Pharmacokinetics and effect on renal function and average daily gain in lambs after castration and tail docking, of firocoxib and meloxicam. N Z Vet J 71(6):306-314.
• Karna SR, Kongara K, et al. (2022) Evaluation of analgesic interaction between morphine, maropitant and dexmedetomidine in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. N Z Vet J 70(1):10-21.
• Venkatachalam D, Kongara K, et al. (2021) Pharmacokinetics, efficacy and convulsive dose of articaine hydrochloride in goat kids. Vet Anaesth Analg, 48(2), 264-271.
• Karna SR, Kongara K, et al. (2020) Effect of combinations of morphine, dexmedetomidine and maropitant on the electroencephalogram in response to acute electrical stimulation in anaesthetized dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 43(6), 538-546.
• Venkatachalam D, Kongara K, et al. (2019) Analgesic efficacy of articaine hydrochloride for velvet antler removal in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and analysis of drug residues in the harvested velvet antler. N Z Vet J 67(5), 6.
• Singh P, Kongara K, et al. (2018) Comparison of electroencephalographic changes in response to acute electrical and thermal stimuli with the tail flick and hot plate test in rats administered with opiorphin. BMC Neurology, 18(1), 10.
• Kongara, K. (2017) Pharmacogenetics of opioid analgesics in dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 1-10
• Kongara K (2016). Attitudes and perceptions of veterinary paraprofessionals in New Zealand to postoperative pain in dogs and cats. N Z Vet Journal, 64(2), 112-116.
• Kongara K et al. (2014) Electroencephalographic evaluation of decapitation of the anaesthetized rat. Lab Anim 48(1):15-9.
• Kongara K, et al. (2013). Effects of tramadol or morphine in dogs undergoing castration on intra-operative electroencephalogram responses and post-operative pain. N Z Vet J 61(6), 349-353.
• Kongara K, et al. (2011) Effects of tramadol, morphine or their combination in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy on peri-operative electroencephalographic responses and post-operative pain. N Z Vet J 60(2), 129-135.
• Kongara K, et al. (2010) Electroencephalographic responses of tramadol, parecoxib and morphine to acute noxious electrical stimulation in anaesthetised dogs. Res Vet Sci, 88(1), 127-133