Dr. Cowgill is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology of the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and was a member of the clinical faculty for 48 years. For 23 years, he was the Director and Chief Veterinary Medical Officer of the University of California Veterinary Medical Center-San Diego.

Dr. Cowgill is acknowledged for his expertise in urinary disease and was an early pioneer in the application and development of extracorporeal therapies for dogs and cats. He established the world’s first clinical extracorporeal program for animals at UC Davis, and until retirement in 2024 directed the hemodialysis and blood purification programs at both Davis and San Diego.

Dr. Cowgill established the Hemodialysis Academy which has provided in depth, advanced didactic instruction in extracorporeal therapies to more than 1,000 trainees in 32 countries throughout the World. Dr. Cowgill is a board member of the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) and was inaugural President of the newly recognized American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology (ACVNU) and now serves as Past President. 

Dr. Cowgill has 50+ years of experience in veterinary internal medicine, nephrology, and has trained many of the leading authorities in extracorporeal therapies throughout the world. He is a pioneer in the application of hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, and therapeutic apheresis in companion animals and remains a leading authority in the development of blood purification therapies for animals.