 |
 |
|
Sago palm is a common plant of the cycad family that is very popular with landscapers and homeowners in the Baton Rouge area. Unfortunately, people may not be aware that sago palms seeds, leaves, and roots are extremely toxic to pets. Clinicians at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine are seeing an increase in dogs suffering from sago palm toxicity. Soon after eating seed, leaves or roots, dogs start to throw up. Soon thereafter, clinical signs progress to include lethargy, lack of appetite, diarrhea, and jaundice.Ingestion of this plant can be fatal due to its toxic effects on the liver, including disruption in blood clotting leading to bleeding. LSU veterinarians see most cases in the spring and summer; however, intoxications can occur year round. In most cases, intensive treatment is necessary, including intravenous fluids and transfusion of blood products. In spite of these efforts, more than one half of dogs die from the toxicity. This is why in the case of sago palms an ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure. If you believe that your pet may have eaten any part of sago palm plants, please contact your veterinarian immediately. 12 April 2010
LSU Veterinary School to
Participate on LSU Day
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Broken bones are a common problem in horses, especially race horses, and adult equine stem cells offer a promising solution to the challenges of treating fractures in these animals. |
 |
|
Attending the opening reception for the International Exhibition on Animals in Art are (from left to right) Dr. David Senior, associate dean for advancement and strategic initiatives; Denise Westphal, library associate; Ginger Guttner, public relations coordinator; Dr. Michael Groves, dean emeritus; Christine Mitchell, library director; Michael Robinson, senior director of development, LSU Foundation; and Nadine Carter Russell. |
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s 23rd Annual International Exhibition on Animals in Art opened with a reception on March 27 in the School’s Library. The exhibition will be on display in the School of Veterinary Medicine Library on Skip Bertman Drive through April 25. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
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. She also studied with Libby Johnson at the Studio dei Leoni in Baton Rouge. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the LSU Rural Life Museum, the McIlhenny Collection, and the Audubon Institute in New Orleans.
Two-hundred and four artists from 36 states, Canada, and Poland submitted 477 entries for the show. Of those 477 entries, 75 were accepted for the exhibition. The exhibition is held annually and is open to all artists 18 years of age or older. All media are welcomed and accepted; the work must be original. A commission from all sales will benefit the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Twenty-five of the artists were in attendance at the reception, including Carol Arabie, Baton Rouge, La.; Marsha Barkemeyer, Baton Rouge, La.; Simon Baxter, Baton Rouge, La.; Carol Behrman, Baton Rouge, La.; Peggy Borel, Westlake, La.; Jacob Botter, Baton Rouge, La.; Clay Coleman, Baton Rouge, La.; Frankie Gould, Livonia, La.; Lisa Head, St. Gabriel, La.; Mary Heckman, Baton Rouge, La.; Mary Lou Liberty, Luling, La.; Rebecca Luke-Lirette, Baton Rouge, La.; Thomas Moore, Baton Rouge, La.; Kathy Reeves, Denham Springs, La.; Margaret Rice, Baton Rouge, La.; Krista Ann Roche, Baton Rouge, La.; Dana Territo, Baton Rouge, La.; Blair Thrall, Shreveport, La.; and Glen Wesley, Baton Rouge, La.
The $1,000 Best in Show award went to
Diane Mason from Berthoud, Colo., for her bronze
sculpture entitled Who’s Looking at Who?
Dr. Kurt Matushek, Chicago, Ill.,
editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, chose Jody
Freeland’s pastel, entitled Target Sited,
to appear on a future cover of the journal. Ms.
Freeland is from Colorado Springs, Colo. The
recipient of the SVM Award was Kathy Reeves
of Denham Springs, La., for her photograph, A
Mother’s Love, which will be featured on the
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Bulletin
(course catalog). The People’s Choice Award will be
named at a later date.
Judge’s Awards
were presented for the following pieces:
Best Friends, Margaret Rice, Baton Rouge, La., oil;
Zipper @ Lover’s Lane, Jacob Croft Botter, Baton Rouge, La., digital print;
Jack, Jill and Bill, Michael Nevin, Elmhurst, Ill., acrylic;
Gecko Head, Rebecca Luke-Lirette, Baton Rouge, La., photograph; and
Pursuit: Hound of Heaven, Leslie Hutto, Aiken, S.C., bronze.
Honorable Mention Awards were presented for the following pieces:
Missed Snowball, Abby Ripley, New Milford, Conn., photograph;
Flat Out, Louise Peterson, Guffey, Colo., bronze;
Shades in Yellow, Molly Poole, New Boston, N.H., watercolor on paper;
Cardinal Angel, Martin Pothier, Abilene, Texas, photograph;
Bathing Cutie, Anni Crouter, Flint, Mich., watercolor;
Courtship, Anne Peyton, Phoenix, Ariz., acrylic;
Gold Fish in a Room, Sarah Hauser, New York, N.Y., strappo monotype;
Moose in the Willows, Jean Cook, Paola, Kansas, oil;
The Dance, Jean Apgar, Rockford, Ill., watercolor; and
Dog in a Crosswind, Dede LaRue, Denver, Colo., mixed media.
Members of the LSU SVM Art Show Committee are Christine Mitchell, library director and art show committee co-chair; Denise Westphal, library associate and art show committee co-chair; Dean Peter F. Haynes, Dean Emeritus Michael G. Groves, Derek Gordon, Ginger Guttner, Michael D. Robinson, Nadine Carter Russell, Dr. David Senior, and Tutta Vetter.
The exhibition is open to the public during library hours and will run through April 25. All of the art pieces are for sale, and a 20% commission on each sale goes to the School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please contact Christine Mitchell at 225-578-9796 or artshow@vetmed.lsu.edu. Click here to view gallery.
29 March 2010
LSU
Veterinary School Bestows Awards at Faculty/Graduate
Student Dinner
 |
|
Dr. Thomas Klei (left), associate dean for research and advanced studies, and Dr. Gary Wise (right), head of the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, congratulate Dr. Masami Yoshimura, assistant professor and recipient of the Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence. |
The
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM)
highlighted its research and bestowed awards at its
annual Faculty/Graduate Student Dinner at the
Faculty Club on March 17. Thomas R. Klei, PhD,
associate dean for research and advanced studies,
served as master of ceremonies.
Masami Yoshimura, BSc, MSc, DSc, assistant professor
of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, received the
Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence.
Pfizer Animal Health presents an honorarium and
inscribed plaque to a faculty member who has
excelled in veterinary medical research during the
past two years.
Kevin Macaluso, MS, PhD, associate professor of
Pathobiological Sciences,
 |
|
Dr. Thomas Klei (left), associate dean for research and advanced studies, and Dr. Ronald Thune (right), head of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, congratulate Dr. Kevin Macaluso, associate professor and recipient of the School of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Scholar Award. |
received the School of Veterinary Medicine
Faculty Distinguished Scholar Award. An
honorarium and inscribed plaque are presented to a
faculty member who has made significant
contributions to the advancement of veterinary
medicine through research and/or scholarly
activities.
Geoffrey Hennig, DVM, visiting assistant professor
of companion animal surgery, received the School
of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Thesis Award.
He received his MS in the Department of Veterinary
Clinical Sciences in May 2009 and completed his
companion animal surgery residency at LSU SVM in
July 2009. Dr. Hennig’s thesis is entitled,
“Chondrocyte Death in Canine Osteochondral Explants
Exposed to 0.5 Percent Bupivacaine.” His major
advisor was Dr. Giselle Hosgood, professor of
veterinary surgery (retired). The LSU SVM Graduate
Academic Studies Council to the advanced studies
student presents this award to the student whose
research and writing epitomizes superior
scholarship.
Kathryn Rief, MSPH, PhD, received the School of
Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Dissertation Award.
She received her PhD from LSU SVM in May 2009. The
LSU SVM Graduate Academic Studies Council presents
an award to the doctoral student whose research and
writing epitomizes superior scholarship. Dr. Rief’s
dissertation is entitled, “Arthropod and Vertebrate
Determinants for Horizontal Transmission of
Rickettsia felis.” Her major advisor was Dr.
Kevin Macaluso, associate professor in the
Department of Pathobiological Sciences.
Following the award presentations, Dr. Thomas Klei
gave a presentation on the status of the LSU SVM
research program, which was followed by an overview
of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC).
Jeffrey Keller, PhD, executive associate director
for basic research, discussed some of PBRC’s
research and potential areas for collaboration
between PBRC and LSU SVM.
26 March 2010
Over 180 people participated in Hill’s LSU SVM Great Rover Road Run
 |
|
Dogs and people take part in the Hill’s LSU SVM Great Rover Road Run on March 6. |
Over 180 people participated in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Hill’s LSU SVM 17th Annual Great Rover Road Run on March 6. The Great Rover Road Run consisted of a 5K Road Run (66 participants) and a one mile Fun Run/Walk with Rover (142 participants); twenty people participated in both races. This year’s major sponsor was Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Matthew Manning (age 30) was the first man to cross the finish line in the 5K with a time of 16:15. He was followed closely by Dr. Inder Sehgal (age 47), associate professor of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, with a time of 18:16. In third place in the men’s division was Benoit Bordelon (age 23) with a time of 19:04. Lindsey Manda (age 25) was the first woman to cross the finish list with a time of 19:55. Coming in second and third in the women’s division, respectively, were Mamta Aidt (age 29) with a time of 22:10 and Barbara Dubrow (age 54) with a time of 23:10. The youngest competitor in the 5K was Ethan O’Brien (age 9), who finished with a time of 39:10. The oldest competitors in the 5K were William Knox (age 65) and Ken Yurik (age 65), who came in with times of 23:13 and 28:31, respectively.
The fastest overall in the one mile fun run was “Tyler Willis,” a two-year-old mixed breed owned by Patrick Butler, with a time of 5:25. Coming in second was “Wille Manda,” a four-year-old German Shepherd owned by Lindsey Manda, with a time of 5:37. In third place was “Simon,” a two-year-old terrier mix owned by Taylor Simon. The fastest dogs by weight class are as follows:
| 20 pounds and under | “Prada,” a 7-year-old, 13-pound Jack Russell terrier owned by Richard Suter (Prada has won this category for seven straight years) |
| 21–40 pounds | “Petee Stewart,” a 3–year-old, 23-pound mixed breed owned by Russ Carson |
| 41–60 pounds | “Hazel,” a 5–year-old, 50-pound Labrador retriever mix owned by Mark Schafer |
| 61-80 pounds | “Maverick,” a 10-month-old, 63-pound boxer owned by David Vincent |
| 80 pounds and up | “Dixie” owned by Mitchell Wood |
Proceeds benefit the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Part of the fundraising includes a microchip clinic. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a Veterinary School Student Free Microchip Program. 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!
26 March 2010
LSU Veterinary School To Host Radiology Seminar Series
 |
|
Small Animal Radiology seminar series, April 7–June 16, 2010 |
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a series of radiology seminars from April 7 through June 16. These sessions will focus on small animal film interpretation. This advanced course for veterinarians in private practice is designed to share and discuss challenging clinical cases touching upon a large variety of common diseases and give one-to-one interactions with a radiologist.
Topics will include: differentiating between surgical and non surgical abdominal disease, complex thoracic diseases, common contrast studies performed in the thorax and abdomen of small animals as well as identifying aggressive vs. non-aggressive bone disease and finally discuss some challenging developmental and orthopedic cases. There will be 10, two-hour (6–8 p.m.) weekly sessions reviewing the topics. A maximum of 10 participants total for the seminar will be accepted. Each participant will be assigned a viewing workstation with digital images at each session. Each case will be reviewed individually with the aid of a board-certified veterinary radiologist and a follow-up group discussion.
The small animal radiology sessions will cover the following topics:
Thorax (4 sessions):
Thoracic wall disease, lung disease, mediastinal and pleural disease, as well as cardiac cases, including common contrast studies perform in the thorax.
Abdomen (3 sessions):
Peritoneal and retroperitoneal radiographic assessment, major abdominal mass patterns of displacement, difference between paralytic and mechanical ileus, common causes of acute abdomen in small animal patients. Additional common contrast studies performed in the abdomen.
Musculoskeletal (3 sessions):
Challenging developmental bone disease, difference between aggressive and non-aggressive bone lesions.
Instructors from LSU SVM’s faculty are Lorrie Gaschen, PhD, DVM, DECVDI, Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging; Nathalie Rademacher, Dr.Med.Vet., DECVDI, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging; Daniel Rodriguez, MVZ Esp., DACVR, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging; Alexandre Le Roux, Dr.Med.Vet, Radiology Resident; and Jeffrey Ruth, DVM, Radiology Intern.
The fee is $1,000 per spot for the entire series. Any associate within the same practice may use the spot on a given date. You may consider this a per-clinic fee, regardless of who attends on a given date. Registrations must be received no later than April 1. Cancellations should be made to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in a timely manner as space is limited. Twenty (20) hours of continuing education credit or 2.0 CEU credits (one hour equals 0.1 CE unit) will be earned for this course. Certification forms will be provided for participants to complete credit hours earned. Click here to download a registration form. For more information, please call 225-578-9900.
17 March 2010
Those veterinary students and clinicians who wish to specialize in a particular area and become board certified must participate in the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP). The American Association of Veterinary Clinicians sponsors the VIRMP to expedite the selection of interns and residents for participating veterinary schools, colleges, and institutions.
Congratulations to the following Class of 2010 students who were successful in obtaining an internship through the VIRMP:
Nicholas Angelette (Metairie, La.), Small Animal Medicine/Surgery Rotating Internship, University of Illinois;
Megan Bittle (Fort Smith, Ark.), Small Animal Rotating Internship, Affiliated Veterinary Specialists;
Robert Blair, Small Animal Rotating Internship, Auburn University;
Rachel Carlson (Bradenton, Fla.), Small Animal Rotating Medicine and Surgery Internship, Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center;
Lisa Ciolino (New Orleans, La.), Internship, Southeast Veterinary Specialists;
Julia Coutin (New Orleans, La.), Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center;
Erin Daniels (Kenner, La.), Internship in Small Animal Internal and Emergency Medicine, Greenbrier Veterinary Referral Center;
Leia Feinberg (Bogalusa, La.), Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, The Ohio State University;
Kim Gusman (Anaheim, Calif.), Small Animal Rotating Internship, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.;
Julie Hartfield (Lake Charles, La.), Internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Carolina Veterinary Specialists; Charlotte, Huntersville, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem, N.C.;
Josh Hobbs (Rogers, Ark.), Small Animal Rotating Internship, Affiliated Veterinary Specialists.;
Brian “Gordy” Labbe (Alexandria, La.), Rotating Internship, Advanced Veterinary Care Center;
Melinda Larson (Cabot, Ark.), Small Animal Rotating Medicine and Surgery Internship, Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center;
Mary Leissinger (Metairie, La.), Small Animal Rotating Internship, University of Tennessee;
Rebekah Mack (Baton Rouge, La.), Small Animal Rotating Internship, Georgia Veterinary Specialists;
Tina Miletello (Baton Rouge, La.), Rotating Internship, Garden State Veterinary Specialists;
Mary “Amanda” Traub (Mandeville, La.), Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Specialists of South Florida;
Charity Uman (Burlington, Vt./Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Angell Animal Medical Center;
Kevin Ware (Little Rock, Ark.), Small Animal Medical/Surgical Internship, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital;
Kelly Wibel (Pensacola, Fla.), Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Carolina Veterinary Specialists Referral Hospital; and
Trisha Young (Lonoke, Ark.), Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Coral Springs Animal Hospital.
LSU SVM graduates who matched this year to residency programs are as follows:
Dr. Glen Bonin (Plano, Texas), LSU SVM 2008, Three-Year Residency in Small Animal Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas;
Dr. Marie Chartier (Roslindale, Mass.), LSU SVM 2009, Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency, Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, Calif.;
Dr. Mitzi Clark (Roslindale, Mass.), LSU SVM 2009, Dermatology Residency, Cornell University;
Dr. Laura D’Amico (Auburn, Ala.), LSU SVM 2009, Small Animal Surgery Residency, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine;
Dr. David Espinosa (College Station, Texas), LSU SVM 2009, Medical Oncology Residency, Cornell University;
Dr. Melissa Jennings (Raleigh, N.C.), LSU SVM 2009, Residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery, Veterinary Neurological Center;
Dr. Daniel Langlois (Columbus, Ohio), LSU SVM 2009, Small Animal Residency—Internal Medicine, Michigan State University—Small Animal;
Dr. Lauren Long (Austin, Texas), LSU SVM 2008, Avian/Exotic Animal Internship, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph;
Dr. Alyce Leger Marks (Auburn, Ala.), LSU SVM 2009, Residency in Radiology, University of Tennessee;
Dr. Piper Norton (Manor, Texas), LSU SVM 2007, Residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine (Equine Emphasis), Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas;
Dr. Meghan Respess (Framingham, Mass.), LSU SVM 2009, Emergency Medicine/Critical Care Residency, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University;
Dr. Verna Serra (Philadelphia, Penn.), LSU SVM 2009, Emergency Medicine/Critical Care Residency, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University;
Dr. Katie Smith (Athens, Ga.), LSU SVM 2009, Residency in Emergency and Critical Care, Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists;
Dr. Harold Traxler (Hanover, Pa.), LSU SVM 2003, Small Animal Surgical Internship, New York Veterinary Specialty Center; and
Dr. Katrine Voie (Middletown, N.J.), LSU SVM 2008, Veterinary Dermatology Residency, University of Illinois.
The VIRMP follows principles established by the Physicians National Intern and Resident Matching Program and is structured on an established and functioning system. The prospective intern or resident chooses the school of his or her choice and, because of the marked competition for positions, the student is advised to apply to more than one institution. The student fulfills the application criteria of each institution and submits his/her applications directly to the institutions. The institution, through its selection process, ranks the applicants according to its criteria.
The procedure uses a central computer facility for matching prospective interns and residents with the hospital programs. The student must supply the VIRMP Central Office a ranking list of internship and/or residency programs of his or her choosing. The university or private hospital will supply the VIRMP Central Office with its ranking of the applicants being considered for positions in that program. Both ranking lists are confidential until after the match. The VIRMP will attempt to match the prospective intern and resident with the university or private hospital program. By signing up for the VIRMP, students promise that they will enroll in the program in which they are matched. The VIRMP does provide an option for couples to be matched together.
Institutions must enter their available intern and residency positions by a certain date. Students start entering their applications about two weeks after that. Matches are released in March of each year. The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences oversees the House Officers (residents and interns) and the matching program at LSU SVM.
16 March 2010
LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine to Open 23rd Annual International Animals
in 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’s 23rd Annual International Exhibition on Animals in Art begins with an opening reception on March 27 at 6 p.m. in the School’s Library. The exhibition will be on display in the School of Veterinary Medicine Library on Skip Bertman Drive from March 28 through April 25. This event is free and open to the public.
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. She also studied with Libby Johnson at the Studio dei Leoni in Baton Rouge. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the LSU Rural Life Museum, the McIlhenny Collection, and the Audubon Institute in New Orleans.
Two-hundred and four artists from 36 states, Canada, and Poland submitted 477 entries for the show. Of those 477 entries, 75 have been accepted for the exhibition. The exhibition is held annually and 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. Other awards include the Judge’s Award, Honorable Mention, the People’s Choice Award, and the School of Veterinary Medicine Awards.
For more information on the exhibition, contact Christine Mitchell, library director, at artshow@vetmed.lsu.edu. Information is also available at the School’s Web site at www.vetmed.lsu.edu/art_show.htm.
12 March 2010
LSU Veterinary School
Inducts New Honor Society Members
 |
|
From left, Professor of Veterinary Pathology Daniel Paulsen and Associate Dean for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives David Senior congratulate Katherine Severson, fourth-year veterinary student, as she is inducted into Phi Zeta, the national veterinary honor society, on March 9. |
On
March 9, twenty-seven people were inducted into the
Tau Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta at the LSU
School of Veterinary Medicine. Phi Zeta is a
national Veterinary Honor Society, the object of
which is to recognize and promote scholarship and
research in matters pertaining to the welfare and
diseases of animals. The Tau Chapter of Phi Zeta was
installed on March 30, 1977, with Dr. C.W.
Titkemeyer as Chapter President. Phi Zeta is the
abbreviation of the Greek word “Philozoi,” which
means “love of animals.”
Dr.
David Senior, associate dean for advancement and
strategic initiatives and president of the Tau
Chapter, presided over the induction ceremony. Dean
Peter F. Haynes welcomed the guests, and Dr. Thomas
Klei, associate dean for research and advanced
studies, explained the history and purpose of the
society. Said Dean Haynes, “Your induction today
into the Phi Zeta honor society signals your
commitment to excellence and your outstanding
contributions to veterinary medicine. Your
collective accomplishments shine brightly at the
School of Veterinary Medicine.”
Fourth-year veterinary students inducted into Phi
Zeta are Juan Ayala-Ruiz (Rincon, Puerto Rico),
Robert Blair (Miami, Fla.), Jessica Borne (Eunice,
La.), Rachel Carlson (Bradenton, Fla.), Adam Caro
(Lafayette, La.), Lisa Ciolino (New Orleans, La.),
Julia Coutin (New Orleans, La.), Louis DiVincenti,
Jr. (New Orleans, La.), Michelle L. Dunleavy (Amelia
Island, Fla.), Natalie Fowlkes (West Monroe, La.),
Kimberly Gusman (Anaheim, Calif.), Shaina Klein
(Marlboro, N.J.), Nicole Laviolette (Erath, La.),
Katherine Severson (Covington, La.), and Kelly Wibel
(Pensacola. Fla.). Third-year veterinary students
inducted into Phi Zeta are Blanco Colon (San Juan,
Puerto Rico), Ann Craig (North Sutton, N.H.),
Patrick Cutbirth (Monroe, La.), Daniel Dorbandt
(Shreveport, La.), Jessica Lipsett (Liverpool,
N.Y.), Kimberly Menard (Slidell, La.), Amy Norvall
(Harare, Zimbabwe), and Alison Salmon (Carlyle,
Ill.). Dr. Ahmad Saied, pathology resident and PhD
student, was also inducted, as were the following
faculty members: Dr. Isabelle Cattin, instructor in
small animal internal medicine; Dr. Nathalie
Rademacher, assistant professor of veterinary
radiology; and Dr. Keijiro Shiomitsu, assistant
professor of veterinary radiation oncology.
Phi Zeta was originated in 1925 by a group of senior veterinary students in the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell University. With the assistance of a group of faculty members, including the Dean of the College, Dr. Veranus A. Moore, the Society was formally organized, and Dean Moore was elected as the first president in 1929 at a meeting in Detroit, Michigan.
3 March 2010
LSU SVM Alumnus to be
Honored by LSU Alumni Association
 |
|
Dr. Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture |
Dr. Mike Strain, Commissioner of Agriculture for
Louisiana, will be inducted in to the Hall of
Distinction by the LSU Alumni Association on April
16. Dr. Strain received his DVM from LSU in 1983.
Dr. Strain was raised on a farm in Abita Springs,
La., and farming has been in his family for over
five generations. He met his wife, Dr. Susan Strain,
at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM),
and they were married upon her graduation in 1984.
After graduation, Mike opened a rural large animal
practice. Susan joined the practice, and she began
doing small animal medicine in May 1984.
Dr. Strain got into state politics when he was
elected to serve in the Louisiana House of
Representatives as representative of District 74, a
position that he held from October 1999 through
January 14, 2008, when he was sworn in as
Commissioner of Agriculture. Dr. Strain has also
served as President of the Louisiana Veterinary
Medical Association, and he received the
Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003 from LSU SVM.
On April 16, the LSU Alumni Association will honor
other alumni as well. LSU Football legend Billy
Cannon has been named LSU Alumnus of the Year by the
LSU Alumni Association. The LSU All-American
halfback led the 1958 team to the Tigers’ first
national championship. He won the Heisman Trophy as
a senior and remains LSU’s only Heisman winner.
Cannon’s 89-yard punt return on Halloween night 1959
against Ole Miss is ranked as one of the most
dramatic plays in college football history. Cannon
enjoyed a superb nine-year career in the American
Football League – with the Houston Oilers and the
Oakland Raiders – and ended his pro-football career
in 1970 with the National Football League’s Kansas
City Chiefs. He was named to the College Football
Hall of Fame in 2008.
Marty Sixkiller of Ramon, Calif., media tools
supervisor for PDI/DreamWorks, was named LSU Young
Alumnus of the Year. Also to be inducted into the
2010 Hall of Distinction are Linda
Thomas-Greenfield, ambassador to Liberia; Jeff
Kleinpeter, president of Kleinpeter Farms Dairy;
Maj. Gen. Ron Richard, USMC (Ret.), CEO of the Tiger
Athletic Foundation; Dr. Eugene C. St. Martin Sr.,
retired clinical professor in urology, LSU School of
Medicine-Shreveport; East Baton Rouge Parish
District Attorney Hillar Moore; Collis B. Temple
Jr., owner/executive director of Harmony Center
Inc.; and Trey Trahan, president of Trahan
Architects.
For more information, contact Jackie Bartkiewicz
with the LSU Alumni Association at 225-578-3370 or
jackie@lsualumni.org.
3 March 2010
LSU Alumna Works with Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti Following the Earthquake
 |
|
Dr. Renee Poirrier (left) and a volunteer from the Animal Rescue League of Boston deworm a pig. |
Dr. Renée Poirrier (LSU SVM 1988), Lafayette veterinarian and director of the Louisiana State Animal Response Team, traveled to the Domincan Republic and Haiti from February 7-14 to join an international coalition of animal emergency aid workers in Haiti. She responded as a member of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Emergency Relief Network, in support of the Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH), which is jointly led by IFAW and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
The trip’s mission was to assist the Haitian people with animal-related issues arising from the earthquakes last month. The ARCH coalition is focusing on restoring community structure by treating livestock, poultry, donkeys, and horses in affected areas, and on promoting public health by vaccinating animals for infectious diseases such as rabies and anthrax, which are transmissible to people. The long-term goal is to establish a network of community animal health clinics in the region.
Here is Dr. Poirrier’s diary of her trip:
Sunday, February 7: I flew into Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and met team members Bill Tanguay of the Animal Rescue League of Boston and Todd Stosuy from Santa Cruz California Animal Control. I stayed overnight at the Euro Hotel in the historic district and watched the Saints win the Superbowl in the hotel lobby with an EMT group from Baton Rouge on their way home from Haiti.
Monday, February 8: We flew into Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on CaribAir Airlines and met with Dick Green from IFAW, Director of Ground Operations for ARCH. We traveled by van to Léogâne, an outlying community within the major strike zone, accompanied by Dr. Thomas (first name), a veterinarian from the Haitian Ministry of Environment and ARCH’s liaison to the Haitian government. In Léogâne, we met with Dr. Iam, a Haitian Ministry of Agriculture veterinarian, and Dr. Skinner, a U.S. Public Health Service veterinarian, to discuss providing a local community animal health clinic in Léogâne. Our team then met with the mayor of Léogâne to make sure he was in favor of having the clinic in his area for two to three days. This took most of the day because of the traffic in Port-au-Prince and the destruction on the roads.
That night we set up our tents at Sonapi, an industrial park near the airport and met the rest of our group, animal control officers from Soda Preca, Dominican Republic. Conditions were hot, noisy, and buggy. Our camp was well protected by a United Nations team assigned to provide security in the area. There was a constant need for vigilance. Food trucks from the Dominican Republic supplied food to the aid workers in the camp as well as to many Haitian citizens in Port-au-Prince.
Tuesday, February 9: We traveled about one hour to Gaman village and met with Dr. Emile (first name), a Ministry of Agriculture
 |
|
From left, Dick Green with IFAW; Dr. Emile (first name), Haiti Ministry of Agriculture veterinarian; and Dr. Renee Poirrier with LSART set up an animal health clinic in Gaman, a Haitian village. |
veterinarian. We set up a community animal health clinic where we treated nearly 200 sheep, goats, dogs, cats, cows, pigs, horses, donkeys, and chickens. The Haitian Ministry of Agriculture supplied the vaccines. ARCH purchased de-wormers and other medicines and brought them in from the Dominican Republic. We vaccinated dogs and cats for rabies and vaccinated cattle for anthrax; we treated all animals by deworming for parasites. Total numbers were 52 goats, 19 dogs, five cats, six horses, 12 cattle, 45 pigs, 25 sheep, 13 donkeys, and 12 chickens.
Wednesday, February 10: We met Dr. Emile and traveled to Thomazeau, where we treated 158 animals (58 goats, 10 cows, 45 pigs, 12 chickens, 30 sheep and three donkeys). Afterwards, we moved to Provence La Rate and treated 310 more animals. We saw 90 goats, 25 dogs, one cat, three horses, 110 cows, one pig, seven chickens, 47 sheep, nine donkeys, and seven ducks. At each clinic, animals were vaccinated, treated for internal parasites, and given an injection of B-complex vitamins to combat poor nutrition.
Thursday, February 11: Our team was supposed to meet with Dr. Iam from the Ministry of Agriculture but she became ill. We then went to Léogâne and met with Dr. Skinner from the U. S. Public Health Service. The community had not been notified about the animal health clinic, so we could not set up as planned. A wasted day and a frustrating experience, but we did get to see a human vaccine clinic running in Léogâne.
That afternoon we moved our camp from the industrial park in Port-au-Prince to Dr. Thomas’ house in the mountains, where it was much cooler. We met our new Director of Ground Operations, Gerardo Huertas from WSPA. We made plans to have two more animal health clinics in villages near Léogâne and enjoyed a delicious meal.
Friday, February 12: We traveled to two villages near Léogâne and operated clinics using the protocols we had established. Dr. Gito (first name), a Haitian veterinarian, accompanied us.
Saturday, February 13: We returned to the two villages near Léogâne to finish the health clinics we started Friday. The total number of animals seen at the villages was not compiled by the time we left but was estimated at approximately 300 in each location.
Sunday, February 14: We returned to Port-au-Prince to fly out on CaribAir to the Dominican Republic and then back to the US.
“We left our tents so that they could be distributed
to people who need them,” said Dr. Poirrier. “We
also left the food we brought with us. ARCH is still
in Haiti and is working on a long-term recovery
program, including setting up spay/neuter vans. They
are looking for lasting solutions to help animals
and people.”
2 March 2010
LSU Veterinary School To Host
Cancer Symposium
 |
|
Among the resources available in LSU SVM's Oncology Unit is this computer-controlled linear accelerator, which has a multi-leaf collimator for delivering intensely modulated radiation therapy. |
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting its annual Small Animal Medicine Symposium on Sunday, April 11. This year’s symposium will focus on “Current Topics in Oncology.” The symposium will take place at LSU SVM and is sponsored by educational grants from Diamondback Drugs, Nestlé Purina, and Pfizer Animal Health.
The featured speaker is Dr. Nicole Northrup, associate professor of oncology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Northrup is a 1994 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York, N.Y., and a residency in medical oncology at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. In 2000, Dr. Northrup started the oncology program at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, where she had the pleasure of working with LSU’s own Dr. Tracy Gieger. The UGA program has since grown to four oncologists and three residents. Dr. Northrup is currently a Chief of Staff in the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at UGA. Her interests include clinical trials of new treatments for veterinary cancer patients and improving diagnostic techniques in veterinary oncology.
Instructors from LSU SVM’s faculty are Dr. Tracy Gieger, assistant professor of veterinary oncology and radiation oncology; Dr. Bonnie Brugmann, assistant professor of veterinary oncology; Dr. J. Daniel Rodriguez, assistant professor of diagnostic imaging; and Dr. Keijiro Shiomitsu, assistant professor of veterinary radiation oncology. Topics include cancer diagnostics using imaging methods, cytology, histology, and flow cytometry; exciting new treatment options; histiocytic cancers; canine mast cell tumors; and treatment of canine lymphoma.
Registration is required. Registrations postmarked on or before March 31, 2010, are $70. Registrations postmarked after March 31 and for on-site registrations are $90. Lunch, coffee breaks and proceedings are included. 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 complete credit hours earned. To download a registration form, click here. For more information, please call 225-578-9900.
2
February 2010
Nestlé
Purina sponsors veterinary specialist
training program at the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine
 |
|
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. |
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.
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
 |
|
And they're off! Participants in the GRRR take to the streets for the one-mile fun run with their canine companions. |
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
 |
|
The School of Veterinary Medicine and College of Basic Sciences will host a symposium on January 22 at the Baton Rouge Marriott Hotel that will bring together biomedical researchers from around the state. |
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.
 |
|
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.
 |
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
 |
|
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.
“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.
 |
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.
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).
|
|
|
“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.
|
