Halloween hoopla can bedevil your 4-legged friends

Dr. Mark Russak
Special to The Clarion-Ledger

Every October, households around the country prepare for a surge of miniature witches, goblins, and spooks begging for Halloween treats. This tradition has always been a favorite for youngsters. However, family pets may not find it as much fun. Halloween can be a frightening and potentially dangerous time for them. Pets may be less disturbed by this haunting holiday if their owners follow these suggestions:

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Human Animal Bond Lecture Series

CVM Wins Homecoming Banner Display Contest

CVM won first place in the annual MSU homecoming banner display contest. Accounting assistant, Joan Carpenter (CVM Homecoming Queen) and Bully were the center piece of the display. Veterinary Technician, Carrie Roebuck designed and painted the banner. Ellen Russak, very generously donated the use of her car. Tara Puckett coordinated the event and pieced together the display just in time for the judges and bully to arrive. Tara wishes to give a special thanks to all who were involved. CVM will be represented in the homecoming parade at 4:30pm today by the same participants.

Feline Leukemia common cause of cancer in cats

Dr. Mark Russak • Special to The Clarion-Ledger

The most common cause of cancer in cats is Feline Leukemia, or FeLV, a widespread, incurable virus that suppresses the immune system. Although some cats are able to eliminate the virus on their own and develop immunity, many others continue to be infectious or die as a result of the cancer or other infections that take advantage of their suppressed immune systems. read more...

Tortoise Visit

Class of 2010 students Katie Leech Ebers and Ashley Detwiler occupy a male tortoise while a female tortoise is being weighed in by Dr. Frank Austin. The female tortoise was admitted to have her beak trimmed. She broke her beak while biting on a piece of gravel causing a triangular deficit that overgrew.

Noted TV veterinarian to appear at Human-Animal Bond week

By: Patti Drapala
Agricultural Communications

Veterinarian and ABC-TV “Good Morning America” contributor Dr. Marty Becker will bring his popular brand of wit and animal wisdom to Mississippi State University as keynote speaker for the College of Veterinary Medicine’s first ever Nestlé-Purina Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series Oct. 20-24."We are thrilled to have Dr. Becker as our keynote speaker,” said Dr. Jennifer Burgess, chair of the lecture series. “We have put together a week-long event that has appeal for anyone who has pets or whose life is touched by animals on farms, at zoos or in the wild.”

Becker is a graduate of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. During his career as a veterinarian, author and educator, Becker has been a proponent of the special relationship between pets and people, which he describes as “The Bond.” His work on “Good Morning America” and his best-selling books such as “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul” earned Becker a national reputation as the “best-loved family doctor for pets.”

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Students have opportunities with new veterinary technology major

By Patti Drapala

MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Young people who desire a career in animal health but do not want to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree now have an alternative at Mississippi State University.

MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine will begin a four-year undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology in the fall of 2009. The college is establishing the degree to address a national shortage of veterinary technologists and help veterinarians provide the highest standard of health care to animals and society. (read more...)

Wellness screening important to your pet's health

Clarion Ledger

by Dr. Mark Russak

Heartworm blood test? Urinalysis? Total blood panel? If you're like most pet owners, you have at one time or another wondered what all these tests mean and, more to the point, are they really necessary?

The short answer is yes, but it is always good to ask.

Veterinarians use lab tests to monitor your pet's health, diagnose a disease or condition, and/or measure the effects of a medication or treatment plan. In some cases, pets must be tested before they can receive necessary treatments. For example, the American Heartworm Society recommends testing pets for heartworms before starting preventive heartworm medications and annually thereafter.

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October Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Eddie Rogers, from our CVM Pegasus Dining Service who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for October 2008.