The faculty and staff of the SVM are a valuable resource to the citizens of Louisiana. They constitute a unique source of information relating to animal health and disease. Dissemination of this information and response to public needs along with open, informative interaction with public constituencies concerning animal health and disease issues demonstrates the centrality of the SVM in relation to animals. Service provided by the SVM to the LSU community and the State of Louisiana is multifaceted.

    The LSU Community is served by the SVM and its programs. Students, staff and faculty of LSU benefit from numerous university committees that have SVM personnel as members. The SVM Library is a major resource for the LSU community benefiting undergraduate and graduate students throughout the campus.

    The Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) offers a central program of administration and clinical care for research animals housed in five facilities in this state. It oversees the daily health and care of approximately 16,000 research animals assigned to approved research projects which attract several million dollars annually in research support to the state. These efforts provide considerable information improving the lives of animals and citizens of the state and region.

    Centralized facilities of the SVM provide essential services to enhance research functions for LSU and other institutions. These facilities include: Flow Cytometry Laboratory; Gene Probe and Expression System Laboratory; Analytical Systems Laboratory; Cytokine, Monoclonal Antibody and Lymphocyte Laboratories; Electron Microscopy Center; Cell and Organ Culture Laboratory; and Microbiological Media Preparation Laboratory. Consultation is provided on drug testing of athletes for the LSU Athletic Department. Numerous collaborative efforts in research and teaching involving faculty of the SVM and other LSU System units are further evidence of the involvement of the SVM in LSU activities and productivity.

    Service to citizens, industry, and agriculture is a primary role of the SVM. The clinical practice of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics (VTH&C), diagnostic services of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (LAVMDL), the SVM Library, continuing education programs and consultations are highly visible aspects of the service role of the SVM. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics, which treats 16,000 patients annually, serves as the only veterinary specialty referral center in the State. The primary role of the VTH&C is to provide a clinical laboratory to train veterinary students, graduate veterinarians, interns and residents. This service provides primary care for all species presented by the citizens of Louisiana plus specialty medical and surgical services for referring veterinarians from Louisiana and surrounding states. These services are extended through the activities of the Field Service (ambulatory) Clinic, Caged Bird, Zoo and Exotic Animal Clinic, Large Animal (Equine and Food Animal) Clinic and Companion Animal Clinic. Care is provided for approximately 13,000 companion, caged and exotic animals; 2,500 equine and 600 food animals in the Hospital. Services were also provided to about 8,500 equine and food animals through the Field Services Clinic. An additional service of the School is the provision of grief counseling to animal owners and pet facilitated therapy to senior citizens and exceptional children.

    The LAVMDL is an administrative unit of the SVM and operates under contract from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The LAVMDL, fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, provides laboratory diagnostic services to the agricultural and general communities of Louisiana through the veterinary medical profession and in support of the teaching and research functions of LSU and the SVM. Laboratory services are provided in bacteriology, mycology, serology, virology, toxicology and parasitology. Histopathology and pathology for all species is provided by the Department of Veterinary Pathology. The LAVMDL processed over 20,000 specimens in 1996, providing veterinarians, producers, and animal owners with specialist services not available elsewhere in the State. Field investigations, consultative services and continuing education programs are available through the LAVMDL. The LAVMDL also provides laboratory support for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Equine Infectious Anemia Control Program.

    Other service programs of importance to the community and state include the cooperative efforts between the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the East Baton Rouge Animal Control Center, and the Raptor and Wildlife Rehabilitation Unit (RWRU) operated by the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Avian, Zoo and Exotic Animal Medicine Service. The RWRU program has over 800 admissions each year, releasing over 30% of the raptors admitted and has become one of the most visible public service programs offered by the SVM.

    Extension services are provided by faculty to relevant State agencies and producers to support animal agriculture and aquaculture industries with an aggregate annual gross farm value of $800 million. Research, diagnostic, and health care services to the unique Louisiana alligator, turtle and catfish industries are provided by the SVM. The School provides the only dedicated aquatic animal diagnostic laboratory in the State, processing over 700 cases annually and also performs field and laboratory investigation of fish kills. Faculty are continually available for consultation to support practicing veterinarians and to answer questions posed by citizens. Consultation is provided not only on a local but on national and international levels. Operation of the Equine Medication Surveillance program, under contract to the Louisiana State Racing Commission, provides analytic drug residue testing to the Louisiana horse racing industry.

    Animal ownership and contact results in a potential risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases. Veterinarians are educated to deal with diseases in animal populations. The dissemination of information to the general public is a responsibility of the veterinary medical profession. Other health professionals benefit from accurate knowledge concerning zoonotic diseases. Continuing education programs designed for appropriate human health professionals are a significant contribution to the people of Louisiana.

    In addition to the continuing education programs, referral service and consultation provided to members of the veterinary profession, service is provided to the veterinary profession by involvement in organized veterinary medicine locally, nationally and internationally, and participation by the faculty in specialty associations.

Dr. Dennis McCurnin
Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital & Clinics
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
(225) 346-3126