2010
2009
Stories and Publications from
2009
Stories and Publications from
2008
La
Veterinaire,
bimonthly
news magazine (pdf)
To
subscribe to the print
version of La Veterinaire,
please e-mail your request
to
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2009 issues
SVM
Updates, monthly e-mail
newsletter
SVM Updates from 2009
"Molly
the Pony" story and video
Press Releases
 2
February 2010
Nestlé
Purina sponsors veterinary specialist
training program at the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Ayoub (LSU SVM 2008) is
in the first year of a postgraduate specialty
training program in companion
animal medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine (LSU SVM), and her program is
now sponsored by Nestlé Purina. She joins a distinguished
group of veterinary
school residents at Texas A&M University, Auburn
University, the University of
California-Davis, Purdue University, Colorado State
University, and Oregon State University who have all
benefited from Nestlé Purina’s financial support in
the recent past.
“Nestlé Purina has a long history of supporting
veterinary medical education,” said Dr. Nick Vaughan
(LSU SVM 2003), influential marketing manager at
Nestlé Purina. “About four years ago, we decided to
enhance our support for academic residency programs
so that veterinary students would get exposure to
those residents; enhancing student education and
advancing the field of specialty medicine.”
“We are delighted that Nestlé Purina, a leader in
companion animal nutrition, has chosen to support
our program,” said Dr. Frédéric Gaschen, professor
and chief of LSU SVM’s Companion Animal Medicine
Service. “We are very grateful for their generosity.
LSU SVM and Nestlé Purina share common goals of
excellence in their respective fields, and this
partnership is a great opportunity for both
parties.” Nestlé
Purina’s support will cover one-half of Dr. Ayoub’s
salary and benefits for the three-year
residency program which
began July 15, 2009. “Advanced
training—such as internships and residencies— is
required if you want to become board-certified in a
particular specialty,” said Dr. Ayoub. “It’s great
that Nestlé Purina is helping LSU in this way, and
I’m pleased to be the first LSU resident they are
supporting.”
LSU SVM’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
provides postgraduate veterinary
medical training in specialized areas for residents in
the Veterinary Teaching Hospital & Clinics. Some of
the specialties are Companion Animal Internal Medicine,
Cardiology, Oncology, Radiology,
Dermatology, Companion Animal Surgery, Zoological
Medicine, Equine Surgery, Theriogenology,
Anesthesia, and Equine Practice. Residency programs
consist of two
to three years of
intensive training depending
on the specialty.
From left, Dr. Frédéric Gaschen,
professor and chief of the LSU Veterinary Teaching
Hospital’s Companion Animal Medicine Service; Dr.
Jennifer Ayoub (LSU SVM 2008), companion animal
medicine resident; and Dr. Nick Vaughan (LSU SVM
2003), influential marketing manager for Nestlé
Purina, in the Special Procedures room at the LSU
School of Veterinary Medicine.
 25
January 2010
Fight Animal Obesity
at the Hill’s LSU SVM Great Rover Road Run
LSU School of
Veterinary Medicine Hosts Annual Run Benefiting the
Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical
Association
The
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting the Hill’s LSU SVM 17th Annual Great Rover
Road Run on Saturday, March 6. The Great
Rover Road Run consists of a 5K Road Run and a one
mile Fun Run/Walk with Rover. This year’s major
sponsor is Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The 5K run begins
at 8 a.m., and the one mile Fun Run begins at 9:15
a.m. at the School on Skip Bertman Drive. The scenic
course starts at the School and winds through the
LSU campus.
Every
pre-registered participant will get a t-shirt and
"doggy bag." Water and refreshments will be provided
for all participants. There will also be a low cost
dog wash available after the races. Awards will be
given to the first-, second- and third-place winners
in the different age categories for the 5K run and
to the winners of the different categories for the
one mile Fun Run. Several local non-profit
organizations will be present passing out
information, and clubs will be set up to sell
different items such as water bottles, gourmet dog
treats, bandanas.
To
pre-register, please contact the School at
225-578-9900 to request a registration form, or go
to
http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/grrr.htm to download a
registration form. You may also register on-site on
the day of the run. The pre-registration fee for the
5K run and the one-mile Fun Run is $15 each, or $20
to participate in both races (pre-registration
deadline is February 22). The registration fee on
race day is $20 each for the 5K run and the Fun Run,
or $25 for both races. If you pre-register, you can
pick up your pre-race packet in the lobby of the
School of Veterinary Medicine on March 5 from 12
p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Dog
participants must be on a six-foot leash (not a
retractable leash). Please do not bring female dogs
if they are in heat. Dog participants must have
proof of current vaccination and may be excluded if
they are aggressive. No dogs will be allowed on the
5K course with competitive runners.
Proceeds benefit the Student Chapter of the American
Veterinary Medical Association. The mission of the
Hill’s Great Rover Road Run is to spread awareness
about the importance of proper nutrition and
exercise for animals and the negative side effects
of animal obesity. Puppies minus pounds are better!
19
January 2010
LSU Hosts Louisiana-wide Biomedical
Research Symposium to Promote Collaboration and
Translational Research
On January 22, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
and the College of Basic Sciences will host a unique
symposium at the Baton Rouge Marriott Hotel to
highlight biomedical research and excellence in
Louisiana. Other sponsors for the event will be the
Louisiana Biomedical Research Network, the
LSU-Tulane Center for Experimental Infectious
Disease Research, and the Pennington Biomedical
Research Center. The symposium will primarily
highlight the research progress of National
Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored Centers
supported by program grants from the NIH Center for
Research Resources (NCRR) Institutional Development
Awards (IDeA) program. Other NIH and Louisiana
funded centers will be also highlighted through a
series of presentations and discussions. Currently,
there are more than 300 registered participants and
more than 150 research abstracts that have been
submitted for presentation. The main goal of the
symposium is to demonstrate the strong and emerging
biomedical research infrastructure and development
in Louisiana and enhance additional strong
collaborations among the existing research programs
and centers. In recognition of the importance of
this symposium to Louisiana-based biomedical
research and its strong relationships to NIH, Dr.
Barbara Alving, director of the NCRR, will deliver a
keynote address entitled, “Building a New
Environment for Translational Research.”
During the past few years, Louisiana’s biomedical
research community has obtained significant funding
(more than $131 million per year) from NCRR. These
grants, held at LSU, the LSU Health Sciences Centers
in New Orleans and Shreveport, the Tulane Health
Sciences Center, the Tulane National Primate
Research Center, and the Pennington Biomedical
Research Center, focus on developing and expanding
the biomedical research activity and capacity at all
levels in the state. In the aftermath of Hurricanes
Katrina, Rita and Gustav, the Louisiana-based
biomedical community has pulled together by
enhancing collaborations among scientists and
research centers and linking all centers through
unique telecommunications that facilitate
collaborations and sharing of research and training
seminars. This spirit of collaboration was evident
in the First Louisiana Biomedical Symposium in 2007
attended by representatives from all Louisiana NCRR/IDeA
sponsored Centers. It is in this spirit of unifying
biomedical research in Louisiana and promoting joint
research and development efforts that we convene
this Symposium.
It is important to note that one of the
participating research programs, the Louisiana
Biomedical Research Network (LBRN), also supports
biomedical research at primarily undergraduate
institutions, including Southern University,
LSU-Shreveport, Louisiana Tech, and the University
of Louisiana at Monroe. The NCRR also supports the
Tulane National Primate Research Center and a
Research Centers in Minority Institutions grant at
Xavier University. In addition, Louisiana is seeking
funding for a multi-institutional Center for
Translational Science Award (CTSA) from NCRR. These
grants have significant direct and indirect economic
impact because they fund highly competitive research
and education activities in Louisiana and help
recruit and retain outstanding junior and senior
biomedical researchers working to improve the health
of Louisiana residents.
Research and development topics to be discussed in
the Symposium include cancer genetics,
cardiovascular biology, hypertension, infectious
disease, oral health, obesity and diabetes,
neurologic diseases, and molecular and tumor
virology. A special emphasis will be given to
prospects for developing medical translational
research in Louisiana.
7
January 2010
Protect Pets against Winter Weather
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine asks pet
owners to protect their pets against the extreme
cold. Help keep your pet safe during the colder
months by doing the following:
-
Don't leave pets outdoors when the temperature
drops.
-
Outdoor pets use more energy to keep warm so
they will need more food when it’s cold.
Routinely check your pet's water dish to make
certain the water is fresh and unfrozen.
-
If your dog stays outside, provide a doghouse
with a raised floor that is large enough to
allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably,
but small enough to hold in body heat. Cover the
floor with a blanket (but only if the dog will
not eat it) or maybe straw or wood shavings if
available and make sure the door is turned to
face away from the wind.
-
If you're feeding homeless cats, be sure to
provide an insulated shelter for them.
-
Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and
small wildlife that may crawl up under the hood.
To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on
your car's hood to scare them away before
starting your engine.
-
Antifreeze has a sweet taste that can attract
animals, but it is toxic to them. Wipe up spills
and store antifreeze and other household
chemicals out of reach.
Pets exposed to temperatures in the low teens or
single digits for prolonged periods can get
frostbite on their feet or the tips of their ears
(the skin will turn darker in color). Another
symptom to be watchful for is lethargy or weakness.
If you feel that your pet has been adversely
affected by the cold and requires medical care,
please contact your veterinarian.
16 December 2009
LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine Hosts 28th
Annual Open House, Saturday, February 6, 2010
 |
|
A petting zoo is one of the annual features
at SVM's Open House. |
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
will host its 28th Annual Open House on Saturday,
February 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is
free and open to the public. This year’s theme is
Veterinary Medicine: Past, Present, and Future.
Veterinary medicine began with farm animal medicine,
as livestock were a valuable asset. Veterinary
medicine still has strong roots in farm animal
medicine but has expanded from there to include
companion and exotic animals and now offers a wealth
of specialties like cardiology, ophthalmology,
surgery, oncology, dermatology, and diagnostic
imaging. Veterinary medicine is a dynamic profession
that continues to evolve. LSU is commemorating its
sesquicentennial in 2010, and LSU SVM is
contributing to that by celebrating our past,
present, and future!
Open House 2010 is an opportunity for everyone in the
family to explore the fantastic world of veterinary
medicine and the latest developments in animal
health care, welfare, and research. A self-guided
tour will take visitors through the Veterinary
Medicine Building where students, faculty, and staff
will provide information and exhibits on various
facets of the veterinary medicine curriculum. In
addition, the gross anatomy laboratory, intensive
care units, surgery suites, and radiology suites
will be featured on the tour, along with other areas
of the veterinary hospital. There will also be a a
teddy bear repair station where children can get
their stuffed animals “sutured,” a petting zoo, and
animal demonstrations, such as a parade of breeds of
both dogs and horses.
Equine treadmill demonstrations will be held throughout
the day behind the Equine Research Building. Also
continuing throughout the day are the companion
animal underwater treadmill demonstrations at the
CARe-Center and tours of the Cancer Treatment Unit
in the Small Animal Clinic.
Tristan Colonius and Morgan Daigle, third-year veterinary
students and event chairs, and SVM faculty and staff
will be available for interviews before the event
and during the event itself.
For more information, call Gretchen Morgan at (225)
578-9900 or visit
http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/open_house.htm.
15 December 2009
LSU Hosts
Equine Artificial Insemination Workshop
The
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting an
Equine Artificial Insemination Workshop for Owners &
Breeders on January 30-31. This workshop is designed
to provide participants with the knowledge and
skills needed to successfully perform artificial
insemination with both fresh and cooled semen. In
addition, the proper handling and preparation of
semen for transport will be discussed to enable
participants to provide this service. Training in
rectal palpation is not included in this course.
The maximum number of participants is 21, so
registration is required. The registration fee is
$350 if postmarked by January 15 and $400 if
postmarked after January 15. Included in the
registration fee for the workshop are printed
proceedings, a catered lunch and break refreshments.
Participants are asked to bring a calculator if they
have one.
Workshop instructors are Drs. Bruce Eilts, DACT,
professor of theriogenology; Sara Lyle, DACT,
assistant professor of theriogenology; Jose Len,
DVM, MS, DACT, instructor of theriogenology; and
David Beehan, MVB, theriogenology resident.
Theriogenology is the discipline of animal
reproduction.
For more information and to download a registration
form with a complete listing of workshop topics,
click here
or call the LSU SVM at 225-578-9900.
9 December 2009
 |
|
Dr. William James (left) receives the 2009
Distinguished Alumnus Award from Dean Peter
F. Haynes. |
The
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine honored Dr.
William James (LSU SVM 1980) with the Distinguished
Alumnus Award.
Dr.
James is the chief public health veterinarian and
executive associate for regulatory operations in the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS). “In a very real sense, he
is responsible for the public health food safety of
all U.S. residents,” said Dean Peter F. Haynes. “He
has represented FSIS before the world on issues of
veterinary public health and animal welfare and is
responsible for inspections and regulatory
requirements at establishments providing meat,
poultry, and egg products for 1/3 of the United
States.” From 1984 through 1997, Dr. James was
integral to the establishment of USDA FSIS standards
related to livestock slaughter and inspection and
processing of all animal-related food products.
He
directed the division within the FSIS that served as
the focal point for issues related to the
epidemiology of emerging human pathogens and
zoonotic diseases in animal populations. As Acting
Director, he was responsible for determining if a
recall of meat or poultry products was necessary and
was responsible for managing the investigation of
meat-borne disease outbreaks.
In
addition to his DVM, Dr. James holds a Master’s of
Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University.
He worked as a clinical veterinarian at Rhodes’
Veterinary Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana, and also
served as a research assistant at McNeese State
University in Lake Charles before embarking on his
distinguished career at the FSIS in 1983.
He is
an internationally recognized authority on food
borne diseases related to meat, poultry, and egg
consumption and his record of publications and
presentations attests to that. To quote the person
who nominated Dr. James for this award: “If it is
true that one right decision by a public health
official can save the lives of more people than any
one physician can save in a lifetime of clinical
practice, then Dr. James has protected millions of
people from serious harm. While the public only
hears of food borne illness when there is a
breakdown of the system, it is good to know that
individuals of Dr. James’ caliber and dedication are
constantly at work to protect us.”
Adds
Dr. James, “Upon reflection, there could be little
satisfaction from my career without a knowledge of
service rendered to man and animal alike. The 2009
LSU SVM Distinguished Alumnus Award–an unexpected
honor–confirms for me that my calling has had
value. LSU SVM provided the firm foundation upon
which I could build a public practice profession.
The knowledge, skill, and experience imparted to us
during our studies at LSU SVM equips us for paths of
service scarcely imaginable upon graduation. Our
dreams, determination, and duty inspired by this
inestimable advantage should know no limits. To such
high privilege, I am forever indebted.”
The
Distinguished Alumnus Award is a means to recognize
alumni of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for
outstanding professional and personal achievements.
The award is presented at the Annual Conference each
year. Any veterinarian who received the Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine degree from Louisiana State
University before 1998 is eligible for the award.
Candidates will be recognized for their
accomplishments in veterinary medicine and/or
contributions to the community through public
service. Previous winners include Dr. Robert Lewis (LSU
SVM 1977), Elgin, Texas, 1990 recipient; Drs. Larry
McCaskill (LSU SVM 1981), Oscar, La., Mark Mikelonis
(LSU SVM 1988), Covington, La., and Jim Floyd (LSU
SVM 1987), Pittsboro, N.C., 1991 recipients; Dr.
Allen J. Roussel (LSU SVM 1977), College Station,
Texas, 1992 recipient; Dr. Mike Strain (LSU SVM
1983), Covington, La., 2003 recipient; Dr. Alfred
Stevens (LSU SVM 1979), Baton Rouge, La., 2004
recipient; Dr. Gregory Rich (LSU SVM 1985), Kenner,
La., 2005 recipient; Dr. Mary Boudreaux (LSU SVM
1979), Auburn, Ala., 2006 recipient; and Dr. Robert
D. Simmons (LSU SVM 1977), 2007 recipient; and Dr.
Debra Sellon (LSU SVM 1983), Pullman, Wash., and,
posthumously, Dr. Mary Louise Martin (LSU SVM 1982),
2008 recipients.
7 December 2009
Holidays
bring families and friends together, but don’t
forget to watch out for your four-legged family
members. Holidays can also mean potential hazards
for pets. Certain table foods, ornaments and other
holiday items can be very harmful to cats and dogs.
Every year veterinarians at the LSU Veterinary
Teaching Hospital and Clinics see an increase in a
variety of digestive diseases during the holiday
season.
Table food can cause dogs to suffer from
gastroenteritis (an inflammation of the stomach and
intestine) or pancreatitis. Both diseases may cause
severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and
listlessness. Bones may lead to obstructions in the
esophagus, the stomach, or the intestine and lead to
severe digestive signs. Grapes, raisins, onions, and
chocolate are foods that dogs and cats should not
receive. They are toxic to pets and can cause
potentially fatal diseases, such as acute kidney
failure, anemia, or seizures. Most ornamental plants
(e.g., poinsettias, mistletoes, holly, etc.) can
cause stomach upset.
Decorating usually involves more electrical cords,
so please check to make sure that your pets are not
chewing on them, as electric shock may have
devastating consequences. Also, some pets may try to
eat batteries, so please make sure that they are put
away safely.
Candy wrappers, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or
ribbons can lead to serious problems if eaten by
dogs or cats. Tinsel is particularly enticing to
cats. When ingested in sufficient quantities, it
binds into a rope that can cause severe intestinal
obstruction and require surgical treatment. Any
small decoration or toy poses a swallowing hazard.
If a child can choke on small toys or parts, then so
can the family dog or cat. Also, please remember to
bring in your outside pets overnight if there is a
hard freeze.
If you think that your pet may have ingested
something harmful, contact your veterinarian
immediately. Please help make this a safe and happy
holiday season for all of the members of your
family.
1 December 2009
LSU Groups Partner for
Large Animal Rescue Training
 |
|
Groups from SVM, the LSU
Stephenson Disaster Management Institute,
and the LSU Fire and Emergency Training
Institute partnered with the Louisiana State
Animal Response Team in mid-November, 2009,
to train for large animal emergency rescue
missions. |
Partner groups of the Louisiana State Animal
Response Team (LSART) combined their expertise on
Nov 13, 14, and 15 in Minden, La., for a course in
technical large animal emergency rescue (TLAER). The
course was held at the LSU Fire & Emergency Training
Institute, Pine Country location. Course leaders,
Dr. Tomas Gimenez and Dr. Rebecca Gimenez, TLAER,
Inc. (Pendleton, S.C.) provided 24 hours of
classroom instruction combined with operational
exercises with live horses and a llama.
LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Equine Health
Studies Program), Stephenson Disaster Management
Institute, Fire and Emergency Training Institute
partnered with the umbrella organization, LSART, to
provide this important training for over 40
veterinarians, animal control officers, emergency
managers, first responders, and other animal care
providers. With the increase in the number of
incidents involving large animals, the need for
specialized training in the field of TLAER was
exposed and more people, both related and unrelated
to emergency services, expressed a need for
awareness and operational training in this
specialty.
Highlights of the training included a night rescue
of a disabled horse and rider, water rescue of a
horse from an 8-foot-deep pond, and a vertical lift
of a horse weighing over 1,000 pounds. All of the
exercises simulated scenarios of events that can
occur quite frequently with large animals. One of
the major goals of this type of training is to teach
first responders and animal care personnel to work
together to save the lives of animals, which in turn
will ultimately save the lives of humans, since
humans will often risk their lives to save an
animal, especially if it is their pet.
Participants of the course included animal control
officers from Lafayette and Plaquemines Parishes,
first responders from across Louisiana,
veterinarians from the LSU Equine Health Studies
Program, students from Louisiana Tech's Equestrian
Club, and others. LSART has played a role in the
training and certification of over 120 people in
large animal rescue who have in turn become a part
of the emergency preparedness plan for the state.
23 November 2009
Veterinary Students Host
Holiday Supply Drive
for Animal Shelters
 |
|
The LSU SVM Shelter Medicine program is a
service learning course in which an
instructor and students visit shelters in
south Louisiana to help with their medical
needs. |
Animal shelters need your help. They provide care
for thousands of animals each year, often operating
on very limited budgets. The Student Chapter of the
Association of Shelter Veterinarians (SCASV) at the
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is collecting
items and monetary donations for south Louisiana
animal shelters from November 23 through January 4.
Items such as canned food (for either dogs or cats),
cat litter, litter pans, food and water bowls,
towels, dog beds, Kong toys, rawhide bones, toys,
and treats can be dropped off at LSU SVM’s main
entrance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday through
Friday. Monetary donations go to the SCASV’s Cat
Cage Fund to benefit Walker Animal Control. Checks
should be made out to SCASV.
“Every year our club collects many great items for
local shelters,” said Kelly Urbina, third-year
veterinary student. “Help make this year’s
collections even better and consider donating to
help the animals that don’t have a home this holiday
season.”
East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control, West Baton
Rouge Parish Animal Control, Ascension Parish Animal
Control, Walker Animal Control, Livingston Parish
Animal Control, and Iberville Parish Animal Control
will receive the donated items.
10 November 2009
Louisiana State Animal Response
Team Rescues Horse
from Rising Flood Waters
The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART)
partnered with local Ouachita Parish officials and
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries to rescue and
evacuate a geriatric horse from rising flood waters
of the Ouachita River on November 9, 2009, in West
Monroe, La. Horse-owner Tess Cooper had contacted
her veterinarian, Dr. Jay Wharford, last week and
asked for his assistance in moving the horse from
flooded land near her home to dry ground where he
could receive care and food.
Dr. Wharford contacted LSART Equine Branch Director,
Dr. Rebecca McConnico of the Equine Health Studies
Program (EHSP) at the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine (LSU SVM), for assistance. From there, Dr.
McConnico and Dr. Renee Poirrier (LSART Director)
coordinated with parish officials, and a plan was
put into place to coordinate the rescue using a
pontoon boat provided by the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife & Fisheries before the threatening
Hurricane Ida hit coastal areas of the Gulf of
Mexico (possibly including already flooded areas of
Louisiana). The LSART Team was composed of Dr.
Mustajab Mirza, assistant professor of equine
surgery; Dr. Michelle Woodward, equine medicine and
surgery intern; Dr. Rebecca McConnico (LSU SVM
1987); LSU equine technician Cindy Meeker; and LSART
Deputy Director Dr. Becky Adcock (LSU SVM 1984).
The rescue team consisting of LSART, Parish Animal
Control Officers (Toby Danna and Scott Riggin), and
Wildlife & Fisheries agents (Rocket, Kincaid, and
Matthews) met on November 9 at 8 a.m. at the
Forsythe Park dock area on the levee of the Ouachita
River. The short planning meeting, led by Wildlife &
Fisheries Agent Rocket and Dr. McConnico, called for
the team to boat over to the location where the
horse was stranded to further refine the operations
plan. Once the situation was reviewed and a thorough
physical exam was performed on the horse, it was
determined that “Doc,” the 25+ year old Quarter
horse, was healthy enough to withstand general
anesthesia and a boat ride to dry ground. The owner
was made aware of the possible risks of anesthesia
and boat transport, as well as the possibility of
halting the mission in the event of human life
endangerment.
An intravenous catheter was placed while the glide
team was briefed on how to place the approximately
1,000 pound horse onto the glide (a large animal
stretcher) and up onto the boat once he was on the
ground under general anesthesia. The horse was
sedated and then induced using intravenous
anesthesia. With the aid of six glide handlers, the
horse was maneuvered onto the glide and secured in
place using nylon webbing. Reinforced plywood was
positioned to act as a ramp to move the horse onto
the pontoon boat, which was about three feet off the
ground/water. With the aid of several assistants,
the horse was moved up onto the boat and within
minutes was cruising south on the Ouachita River
toward Bayou D’Arbonne.
The horse was maintained under general anesthesia
and had a strong and regular peripheral pulse. Upon
arrival at Griffin’s Boat Dock at Bayou D’Arbonne,
the horse was moved down the ramp onto a flat grassy
surface where he was released from the webbing that
kept the horse secured to the glide. The horse
recovered uneventfully and was moved by trailer to a
five-acre lot in West Monroe, La.
Photographs are available on LSART’s Facebook page.
5 November 2009
Pet Photos with Santa Paws at LSU Veterinary School
Bring your pet—any pet—to meet Santa Paws! Pets can
have their picture taken with Santa Paws on
Saturday, November 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at
the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on Skip
Bertman Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
This annual event is sponsored by the Auxiliary to
the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary
Medical Association and helps fund scholarships for
veterinary school students. A variety of photo
packages are available. The family is welcome to
pose with Santa Paws in the picture. Pets Believe
Too!
For more information, contact the School of
Veterinary Medicine at (225) 578-9900.
3 November 2009
LSU Announces 2009 Rainmakers
Seven of the 100 Researchers are with LSU SVM
LSU recently announced its second annual list of
“Rainmakers,” those faculty members who are
nationally and internationally recognized for
innovative research and creative scholarship,
compete for external funding at the highest levels
and attract and mentor exceptional graduate
students.
Offering due recognition for their exceptional
productivity, these 100 outstanding research and
creative faculty were recognized at the annual
Rainmakers Gala, a dinner and award ceremony held
Oct.13.
Among this year’s round of award recipients are
faculty from nearly all disciplines on the LSU
campus. Rainmakers from LSU SVM are Joseph
Francis, MVSc, PhD, Associate Professor in
Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS); Thomas R.
Klei, PhD, Boyd Professor and Associate Dean for
Research and Advanced Studies; Konstantin G.
Kousoulas, MS, PhD, Professor of Veterinary
Virology in Pathobiological Sciences (PBS) and
Director of the Division of Biotechnology and
Molecular Medicine; Shulin Li, MS, PhD,
Professor in CBS; Fang-Ting Liang, MS, PhD,
Associate Professor in PBS; Kevin Macaluso, MS,
PhD, Associate Professor in PBS; and Gary
Sod, MA, PhD, DVM, Assistant Professor of Farm
Animal Health Management in Veterinary Clinical
Sciences.
Vice Chancellor of Research & Economic Development
Brooks Keel solicited nominations from nearly 50
departments representing 12 major academic divisions
in both scientific and artistic fields.
“This year’s selection of Rainmakers shows the great
diversity of research and creative scholarship
present on this campus,” said Keel. “These scholars
represent the essence of what makes our university
great – a strong commitment to excellence in
teaching, outreach and scholarship, no matter what
the field of study might be.”
The nomination process is held annually, giving
opportunity for recognition to all faculty who
demonstrate exceptional academic productivity in a
given year. Nominees are eligible regardless of
their tenure at LSU and include both emerging and
well-established university scholars.
For more information about the Rainmakers Gala
celebration or the outstanding work of this year’s
selected recipients, contact the Office of Research
& Economic Development, 225-578-5833, or e-mail
research@lsu.edu,
placing “LSU Rainmakers Gala” in the subject line.
Visit
http://www.research.lsu.edu/pdfs/2009Rainmakers.pdf
for a complete list of all 2009 Rainmakers.
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Hosts
78th
Annual Conference for Veterinarians and
Veterinary Technicians
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will host the
78th Annual Conference for Veterinarians
on November 7. The conference will be held at the
School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge, La.
“Once again, we are bringing in nationally
recognized speakers: Drs. Michael Schaer, Gary
Ellison, and Sharon Hoffman; and the conference will
focus on Companion Animals,” said Dr. Dennis
McCurnin, professor of veterinary surgery and the
coordinator of LSU SVM’s continuing education
program. Dr. Schaer is professor of small animal
medicine at the University of Florida and is a
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Internal Medicine and the American College of
Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care. Dr. Ellison is
a professor of small animal surgery at the
University of Florida and is a Diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Hoffman
(LSU SVM 1984) owns a veterinary dentistry and oral
surgery practice in Jacksonville, Fla., and is a
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Dentistry.
Dr. Schaer will discuss glucocorticoid treatment and
diabetic phenomena in felines, and Dr. Ellison will
discuss wound management and intestinal surgery.
Both Drs. Schaer and Ellison will discuss case
studies as well. Dr. Hoffman will discuss what’s new
in dentistry and oral surgery. In addition, LSU SVM
faculty clinicians will give presentations on
dermatology cases, canine reproduction,
ophthalmology, seizures, oncology, anesthesia,
clinical practice efficiency, and common disease
presentations in avian/exotic companion animals.
Eight hours of continuing education credit will be
provided in two tracks so a choice of two subjects
and two speakers exists each hour of the program.
There will also be a continuing education program
for veterinary technicians. Topics in the veterinary
technician sessions include grief counseling for the
pet owner, feline restraint techniques and gadgets,
chemical restraint for felines, ECG basics,
cystocentesis, fine needle aspirates, shock and
trauma, and breeding and dystocia.
The conference includes an alumni reception and
reunions for the School’s milestone classes of 1979,
1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004.
Other activities include an alumni luncheon, the
Distinguished Alumnus Award presentation, exhibitor,
the Fall Family Picnic (November 6), and a golf
tournament benefitting the Student Chapter of the
American Veterinary Medical Association (November
8).
Pre-registration is recommended to
ensure adequate materials and space. The
registration fee includes conference proceedings,
break refreshments, and lunch.
Contact the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine at (225) 578-9900 to obtain a brochure and
registration form, or
click here to download a pdf of the complete
registration brochure. Please join us for education
and fun activities with friends and colleagues.
LSU Hosts Veterinary
Dermatology Conference
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM) is
hosting a veterinary dermatology conference
entitled, “Dermatology: The Epidermis and Beyond” on
Sunday, October 18. This conference is generously
sponsored by Vetoquinol USA Inc., Virbac
Corporation, D.V. M. Pharmaceuticals (IVX Animal
Health), Bayer Animal Health, and Sogeval.
Topics include Demodicosis in the Dog: The Old and
New; Weird Fungi in the Skin; How to Get the Most
from Your Skin Biopsy; Behavioral Disease with
Cutaneous Implications; and Scales, and Feathers,
and Slime: Dermatoligc Peculiarities of Exotic
Animal Species. The instructors are
Kristen Fulham, DVM, MPT,
dermatology resident, Southeast Veterinary
Specialists;
E. Clay Hodgin, DVM, PhD, DACVP,
PATHODGIN, Veterinary Dermatopathology Service;
Stephen Lemarie, DVM, MS, DACVD,
staff dermatologist, Southeast Veterinary
Specialists;
Sandra R. Merchant, DVM, DACVD,
professor of veterinary dermatology and staff
dermatologist, LSU SVM;
Javier Nevarez, DVM, PhD,
assistant professor of zoological medicine, LSU SVM;
Laura K. Sickafoose, DVM,
dermatology resident, LSU SVM;
Tara S. Snook DVM,
assistant clinical professor of dermatology and
staff dermatologist, LSU SVM; and
Rebekah Westermeyer, DVM, MM,
dermatology resident, LSU SVM.
Eight hours of continuing education credit or 0.8
CEU credits (one hour equals 0.1 CE unit) will be
earned for this course. Certification forms will be
provided for participants to certify the credit
hours earned. Registration fee is $175 and includes
seminar materials, break refreshments, and a catered
lunch.
For more information, please call 225-578-9900, or
click
here
to download a registration form.
LSU Veterinary School Receives $1.48 Million in
Federal Stimulus
Dollars
Louisiana State University is receiving new and
supplement grants from the National Institutes of
Health as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Eight of those
grants are coming to the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine and bring over $1.48 million to the School.
“These awards are an indication of the growing
strength and quality of biomedical research efforts
at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine,” said
Thomas Klei, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and
Advanced Studies. “The grants will help
investigators obtain additional grants to grow their
research programs. They will also put outside
dollars into the local economy, as a large portion
of these funds will be used to pay the salaries of
research associates and graduate students.”
The grants are as
follows:
Dr. Henrique Cheng, Assistant Professor in the
Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS),
received a new RO3 award of $150,000 for two years
(08/01/2009-07/31/2011) for his project, “Role of
Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin type 4 in
dental follicle stem cell differentiation."
Dr. Marxa L. Figueiredo, Assistant Professor in CBS, received an
Administrative Supplement Award to her NIH K01
grant, “Regulation of Normal and Neoplastic Growth,”
for $100,000 for two years (09/30/2009-09/29/2011).
Dr. Thomas R. Klei, Associate
Dean for Research & Advanced Studies, received $396,318 for the
Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN)
(09/0120/09-08/31/2011). This is a joint award with
LSU Biological Sciences.
Dr. Shulin Li, Professor in CBS,
received a supplement award to the current RO1
project, "Gene-Product Auto-Targeting to Tumor
Vessels," in the amount of $219,403
(08/01/2009-07/31/2011).
Dr. Kevin Macaluso, Associate
Professor in the Department of Pathobiological
Sciences (PBS), received
$108,495 for his project, “Role of fleas in
transmission of rickettsiae: ecology of flea-borne
spotted fever” (09/22/09-08/31/2010).
Dr. Arthur Penn, Professor of
Toxicology in CBS,
received a sub-award of $39.568 for his project,
“Mitochondrial associated CVD susceptibility in
humans and mice” (09/01/2009-08/31/2011). This is a
joint award with the University of Alabama at
Birmingham.
Dr. Jeyseelan Samithamby,
Assistant Professor in PBS,
received $293,496 for his project, “Neutrophil
accumulation in bacterial pneumonia”
(07/01/2009-06/30/2011).
Dr. Gary E. Wise, Professor and Head of CBS, and Dr.
Shaomian Yao, Assistant Professor in CBS,
received an Administrative Supplement Award to their
NIH R01 grant, “Molecular Basis of Tooth Eruption,”
for $97,679 in 2009 and for $76,145 in 2010
(08/01/2009-07/31/2011).
LSU Veterinary School
Requests Entries for Annual Art Exhibition
 |
|
“Bird’s Nest,” an oil by George Gonzalez of
Seabrook, Texas, received the SVM Program
Award at the 2009 International Exhibition
on Animals in Art. |
The
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will hold the 23rd
Annual International Exhibition on Animals in Art
beginning with an opening reception, which is open
to the public, on March 27, 2010 in the SVM Library.
The show then runs through April 25,
2010.
Judge and Juror for this year’s event is Katherine
Rutledge, an artist and New Orleans native who
received her BFA from LSU. Katherine studied at the
Baton Rouge Fine Arts Academy and the New Orleans
Academy of Fine Arts. Her work is included in the
permanent collection of the LSU Rural Life Museum,
the McIlhenny Collection, and the Audubon Institute
in New Orleans.
The exhibition is open to all artists 18 years of
age or older. All media are welcomed and accepted;
the work must be original. A $1,000 Best of Show
award will be given and one entry will be chosen to
appear on the cover of the Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association.
All work must be priced and for sale, and a 20%
commission will be taken on all sales. Works must
meet the spirit of the “Animals in Art” exhibit in
order to be considered for acceptance. Selection of
works to be accepted in the exhibition will be
chosen from 2” x 2” mounted 35mm slides or digital
images on a compact disk. Only one slide or digital
image should be submitted for each 2-dimensional
work, and a maximum of three slides or digital
images may be submitted for a 3-dimensional work.
Each slide or compact disk must be labeled with
name, title, medium, and each slide must indicate
the top of the artwork. The maximum size for entry
is 60”x60”x48”.
A non-refundable fee of $15.00 for each entry must
accompany the entry form. A check or money order
should be made payable to Louisiana State University
with the notation “Animals in Art Entry” in the memo
line. Entries are due by January 8, 2010. Proceeds
will benefit special programs of the LSU School of
Veterinary Medicine, such as the SVM Library and the
Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana.
Those interested in participating should go to
www.vetmed.lsu.edu/art_show.htm to
download an entry brochure, or contact Christine
Mitchell, library director, at
artshow@vetmed.lsu.edu.
 |
| Dr.
Arlene Gardsbane vaccinates dogs against
rabies |
After
14 years of civil war, the African country of
Liberia does not have a single practicing
veterinarian. In answer to a call for help from the
Liberian government, two LSU alumni—Dr. Arlene
Gardsbane (LSU 1987) and Dr. Beth Miller (LSU 1986)
spent two weeks in the country as part of the
Veterinarians without Borders program.
“I have been interested in Liberia for a long time,”
said Dr. Gardsbane. “My brother-in-law, Paul Sully,
was in Peace Corps in the 1970s in Liberia. Paul
remained in contact with several people from
Liberia, including Vice President Joseph Boakai,”
Dr. Gardsbane got to know Boakai through his many
visits to her family and the United States, and he
was interested in veterinary medicine and livestock
as he had been Minister of Agriculture many years
ago.
In January 2009, Sully visited Liberia. He and Vice
President Boakai discussed the lack of veterinarians
in the country. They contacted Dr. Gardsbane and
asked if she would be interested in helping. Having
no experience in international development, Dr.
Gardsbane called her friend Dr. Beth Miller, who had
worked with Heifer International for 10 years. “Beth
and I were friends before veterinary school and have
remained friends all these years,” said Dr.
Gardsbane. “Beth consented to donate her time to go
to Liberia to do a two week assessment with me, so
then the work began. We needed to raise about $8,500
for our expenses and needed to work under a
non-profit so that people could donate money to us.
I did a computer search and found Veterinarians
without Borders. We contacted them to ask if they
would like to ‘incubate’ the Vets to Liberia
Project, and they graciously accepted the idea.”
Dr. Gardsbane’s veterinary clinic staff helped raise
over $2,000 in funds to support the project by
organizing several fundraisers, including a “Doggy
Day Spa.” Said Dr. Gardsbane, “I am so proud of my
staff. Without their efforts, we would have never
raised the funds.”
The doctors arrived in Liberia on July 19. Once in
the country, they hit the ground running. “We
learned a lot in a very short time—indeed there were
no licensed veterinarians working in the country!”
said Dr. Gardsbane.
Rabies is endemic in the country (although there are
no diagnostic tests to confirm the disease). Most
cases are diagnosed via behavior of the animal or
human. The epidemiologist in the country told Drs.
Gardsbane and Miller that often people are sent home
to die, so the human cases reported are just a
percentage of the cases in the country. Lassa fever
(carried by rats) is also a very common zoonotic
disease.
The government is just starting to restore
electricity, and most businesses have generators
that run only at night. The first hotel the doctors
stayed in had a generator that ran from 7 p.m. to 4
a.m. The doctors learned to take bucket
baths—heating water over the coals and mixing with
cold water. The second week, they stayed with
friends of Dr. Gardsbane’s brother-in-law. Again,
only generator power was available, and it only ran
at night.
Merial donated 350 doses of rabies vaccine, but the
challenge was keeping them cold. Vice President
Boaki had 24/7 electricity and a refrigerator where
Dr. Gardsbane was able to store the vaccine. “I made
one radio announcement letting people know that we
would be holding a Free Rabies Clinic in the yard of
the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Dr. Gardsbane.
“We really didn’t think anyone would show up, but
people showed up by the boatloads! I vaccinated over
100 dogs and one cat in about three hours. The dogs
were in various degrees of health. Most were under
the age of three, and the females were either
pregnant or lactating. The only neutered male dogs
were owned by ex-pats! We saw signs of parasitism,
skin diseases, and healing wounds. One dog had a
broken leg that was healing without any type of
splint. The saddest thing was a puppy thrown into
the ocean by its owner to ‘clean’ him.
Unfortunately, this appeared to be a common
practice.”
 |
|
Dr. Beth
Miller holding a lamb at the Central
Agricultural Research Institute in Liberia |
Dr. Miller added, “As the large animal vet on
the team, I was looking at the structures and
capacity of owners, buyers, and government to
recognize and diagnose signs of disease, treat
them, and prevent them in the future. Livestock
were destroyed during the war, and sheep, goats,
and pigs are being imported from neighboring
countries. However, many of the animals were
sick, or not vaccinated, or parasitized, or
stressed by moving, and many died. There are no
lab services, although the Food and Agriculture
Organization just built a new lab and is
training a few Liberians in serology to look for
Newcastle’s Disease and Avian Influenza in
poultry.”
Dr. Miller saw some cases of trauma in sheep and
goats that go untreated because of lack of money,
supplies or training. “At the slaughter house, we
saw some very thin cattle that looked parasitized,
and some were covered in ticks. Several had skin
problems which could be papillomavirus, lumpy skin
disease, or dermatophilosis. Several cattle livers
had Fasciola lesions.
The doctors met several individuals they called
“Para-Vets.” They function as veterinarians, and
most had some sort of animal health care training;
they were all anxious to receive additional
training. The doctors also met the founder of the
Liberian Animal Welfare Society (LAWS). At one point
he had Kindness Clubs in several schools trying to
teach children about animals and animal welfare.
“One of the hardest things for me to see where the
empty shelves in the library at the University of
Liberia,” said Dr. Miller. “During the war, the
campus became a refugee camp, and the library books
were burned so the people could cook rice.” However,
she added, “The Liberians are warm and wonderful
people, and spending time talking with them was a
true delight. They appreciate all attempts to help
them return to a sense of normalcy, where children
can go to school, and crops can be planted and
harvested, and animals are fat and healthy.”
After vaccinating approximately 200 animals against
rabies, assessing animal health conditions, and
talking with governmental officials as well as the
“Para-Vets” to see what is needed in the country,
the doctors left Liberia on August 7. Drs. Miller
and Gardsbane hope to find funding to help develop
several programs in Liberia. “I would like to work
with educational officials to promote animal care
and welfare starting in the elementary schools,”
added Dr. Gardsbane. “Also, getting training for the
“Para-Vets” who treat small animals is essential. It
is hoped we can start a campaign to vaccinate
against rabies throughout the country.”
Dr. Gardsbane has owned a small animal veterinary
hospital in Maryland for 11 years. She currently has
three part time veterinarians working for her, as
well as 14 staff members. She and her 6-year-old
daughter share their home with three cats and a
Golden Retriever, and a guinea pig now lives at the
clinic.
Dr. Miller resides in Little Rock, Ark. She teaches
anatomy and physiology at Pulaski Technical College
and some classes on international development at
University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She also owns
a consulting company called Miller Agricultural
Consulting, which offers project design, training
and livelihood analysis to international development
agencies like USAID, Heifer International, World
Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Dr.
Miller, her husband, and two daughters have four
cats and an African gray parrot.
For more information about Veterinarians without
Borders, please visit
www.vetswithoutbordersus.org.
Photos provided by Christina Holder, a photo
journalist living in Liberia.
|
