Enjoy the Holiday With Your Pet

The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine hopes everyone enjoys this wonderful holiday season. We encourage you to keep your holiday a joyous occasion for everyone by remembering your pets during this time. This is a wonderful time of the year, but it also brings many hazards for our pets. We hope the following tips will help you and your pet have a safe and happy holiday. 
Tips on caring for you pet this holiday season.

Supply Drive for Animal Shelters a Success

In keeping with the theme of "A New Chapter of Service", the College of Veterinary Medicine coordinated a supply drive for area animal shelters. Through October 30th, supplies were donated to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society and the Aberdeen Animal Shelter. Drop off locations were in the Colvard Student Union, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Bost Extension Buildiing.  Supplies collected were recently delivered to the various shelters. Thank you for your participation.

Lane endowment creates veterinary career options

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – An outreach program that Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine developed with a special endowment and supplemental gifts is creating new career opportunities in shelter animal medicine and community service for future graduates.
Lowndes County resident Marcia Lane established an endowed chair in Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare in January 2006 to help the college develop supportive relationships with animal sheltering organizations. Her endowment also allowed the college to begin other service activities, such as Homeward Bound dog adoption, Rural Area Veterinary Services, Safe Haven for pets of families escaping domestic violence, disaster response and animal care/welfare education for schoolchildren. Read More

Aberdeen seniors find shelter in saving animals

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Some people believe that 65 is over the hill, but staff and students at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine know this assumption is false because they have interacted with senior citizens who built and now manage Aberdeen’s animal shelter.

Shelter volunteers, who average 72 years old, have given many homeless animals in their area a second chance at finding loving homes. They established a facility after waging a public campaign to replace the city’s old pound. Read More...

Gifts to help animals reflect holiday spirit

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University veterinary experts, who agree that pets generally do not make good gifts, suggest people can capture the holiday spirit by donating to an animal health-care group in someone’s name.

Pets are not toys or objects. They are living, breathing organisms that depend on humans for food, shelter and comfort when placed in a home. When pets are neglected, ignored or unwanted, they suffer. Read More...

CVM Highlighted in Presidential Update

President Keenum talks about MSU-CVM on the November 23rd 2009 "Presidential Update" video website. See and hear more... http://www.msstate.edu/president/video/

MSU researchers unravel catfish disease genetic info

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The best way to battle a pathogen affecting the state’s catfish industry is to know as much about it as possible, and Mississippi State University researchers took a major step in that direction this summer.

Researchers at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine released the genome sequence of Edwardsiella ictaluri 93-146, the most important pathogen affecting the state’s channel catfish aquaculture industry. Dr. Mark Lawrence, a CVM professor of basic sciences, was the lead investigator of the project, which was completed this summer. Read More...

Dog care at MSU gives Rebel fans their “paws”

By Patti Drapala

MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- “Don’t tell them you’re a Rebel,” Tommy Walker whispered to his son’s badly injured dog, Tayson, as they approached the entrance to Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

That was a remarkable statement from a loyal and supportive 1983 University of Mississippi pharmacy alumnus. Athletic competition between Ole Miss and Mississippi State can deeply divide families and friends into opposing camps, particularly in November, when the Egg Bowl rolls around. But a crisis, like the one the Walker family faced now, would unite the two camps of one of the most heated sports rivalries in the state. Read More....

Dr. Bruce L. Clark, 2009 Alumni Fellow

Dr. Bruce L. Clark, a 1982 graduate of MSU-CVM and 2009 Alumni Fellow, sharing his career experiences in the CVM Auditorium.

Dr. Clark is a native of Okolona, MS and holds Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Mississippi State University. After a short stint in private veterinary practice, he completed a theriogenology residency at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenology and has completed graduate level courses in business administration, ruminant nutrition, perinatal pathology and leadership facilitation training. Upon completion of his residency, he was a theriogenology faculty member at Missouri.

In 1988 he returned to his alma mater for a 10 year stint as an associate professor in our food animal practice group where he led efforts to incorporate electronic data capture and computer analysis of production data into routine dairy herd health programs. Since 1998 he has held veterinary technical services supervisory positions with Monsanto Corporation and is currently Director, Training and Technical Services Development for NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. in Lansing, Michigan.

2009 H1N1 Flu Virus Outbreak AVMA

As questions continue regarding H1N1, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a good resource for H1N1 information as it relates to pets and other animals.
visit: www.avma.org

Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Tiffany Tabor - Laboratory Technician - CVM MVDL who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for November 2009.

Equine-based programs help people conquer fear of horses

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

...Some students at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine do not have any riding or handling experience with horses. Dr. Bob Linford, a veterinary surgeon and professor, uses his experience as a teacher and horse enthusiast to help them gain confidence.

Students learn applied anatomy as they participate in equine medicine... Read More

Autism allows scientist to unlock animal brain

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Temple Grandin, an animal scientist from Colorado State University, thinks in pictures, a characteristic that gives her valuable insight in how to handle animals.

Grandin is a best-selling author and a world-renowned speaker. She also has autism. Read More

Labs share resources, form 'essential network'

By Karen Templeton
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Two Mississippi State University pathology laboratories work together to diagnose animal diseases across the state and also serve two important yet different missions.

The College of Veterinary Medicine laboratories in Starkville and Pearl work within the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory System to provide veterinarians, producers and researchers with quality diagnostic services. Read More

Temple Grandin

Dr. Temple Grandin speaking to a classroom of students and faculty at CVM. Dr. Grandin, best-selling author and Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, is the keynote speaker on Tuesday October 20 at 7:00 pm at the CVM.

For More Information

MSU focuses on vet techs, new degree

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Veterinarians are the doctors of the animal world, and certified veterinary technicians are the “nurses” who are trained and certified to care for patients and provide much of the medical care the animals receive.

Only veterinarians can legally diagnose, prescribe and perform surgery. Veterinary technicians, commonly called vet techs, can perform all other procedures and tasks completed in veterinary practice. Mississippi State University will soon offer a new degree program to train future vet techs for this important work. Read More

Veterinary Technician Week

CVM recognizes it's veterinary technicians during veterinary technician week, October 11th-17th, in this group photo. Back row (left to right): Alicia Dufour, Ginny Powell, Tonya Graham, Elliot Benford, Derek Moore, Nancy Pounds, Dana Bowman, Lisa Chrestman, Dana Miller. Front Row (sittiing): Mary Magie, Nikkie LaCoss, LeeAnn Smith, Joyce Billow, Terri Snead, Linda Jackson. Top row portraits: Ruby Lynn Carter, Emily Childers, Lisa Conner, Gifford, Patricia Gill, Becky Harrison, Maggie Horner. Bottom row portraits: Chris Jacobs, Lisa Littrell, Sara Jordan, Colleen Myers, Matthew Raby, Leslie Reed, Stacy Taylor, Jamie Allison.

Human Animal Bond Lecture Series at CVM

Jennifer Burgess talks about the human animal bond lecture series on Farm and Family radio with Amy Taylor. The lecture series will be taking place at CVM October 19-23.

Keynote Speaker
Schedule of Events

Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Emily Childers - Animal Health Technician - AHC/Clinical Sciences Dept. who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for October 2009.

Bark in the Park Festival Rescheduled for Oct. 17th

Oktibbeha County Humane Society
Bark in the Park Festival
October 17, 2009

The purpose of the Festival is to raise awareness of the Oktibbeha County Humane Society whose mission is to promote domestic animal welfare by providing humane education, promoting animal welfare legislation, advocating and facilitating pet sterilization, and rescuing, sheltering, and promoting adoption of abused and abandoned animals.

The event was postponed due to rainy weather on September 19th and is now rescheduled for October 17th.

Activities include a 5K race and 1 Mile Fun Run. More information on the event can be found at http://www.msstate.edu/org/humane/.

Dr. Temple Grandin Keynote Speaker at CVM

The Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series hosted by the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine will be October 19th-October 23rd. The Lecture Series celebrates the special relationship that exists between humans and animals in all its facets: companion animal, production animal, the wildlife experience and much more. Dr. Temple Grandin, best-selling author and Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, is the keynote speaker on Tuesday October 20 at 7:00 pm at the CVM auditorium. She will be speaking on the role animals have played in her life and how autism has given her a unique perspective on animal behavior and welfare. She has been instrumental in developing welfare guidelines for the handling and transportation of livestock and is a past member of the board of directors of the Autism Society of America. She lectures to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. on her experiences with autism.

Schedule

World Rabies Day Today

World Rabies Day is September 28, 2009 and we are working together to make a difference. The mission of World Rabies Day is to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent it, and how to eliminate the main global sources.

Rabies in humans is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. Yet, more than 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year - a rate of one person every ten minutes. The most important global source of rabies in humans is from uncontrolled rabies in dogs. Children are often at greatest risk from rabies. Read More... (pdf file)

For more information visit the website http://www.worldrabiesday.org/.

The Match Program

Dr. Andrew Mackin interviewed on Farm and Family by Amy Taylor. Dr. Mackin spoke about the "The Match Program" designed to help CVM graduates with specialty internships and residencies. Listen to the interview here.

Chele Whitehead featured in MSU Profile

Like many people in Mississippi, Chele Whitehead was changed after Hurricane Katrina stormed ashore and ravaged the state in 2005.

A senior sample receiving and reporting technician in the College of Veterinary Medicine, she was dispatched with the Veterinary Disaster Response Team in the wake of the devastating storm.

Read More

New Bully Acts the Part

By Patti Drapala

MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- With the transfer of the fabled, leather harness and leash from father to son during pregame festivities Saturday at Davis-Wade Stadium, Mississippi State University’s new bulldog mascot Champ stepped into a role he was born to assume.

The public introduction of 3-year-old “Tonka’s Golden Sun” as Bully XX to the Maroon faithful was a bittersweet moment for the mascot’s official handler, Lisa Chrestman, and the staff of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Chrestman, who is a certified animal health technician at the college, works with Dr. Margaret Kern and other medical staff there to take care of MSU’s bulldog. The two have supported the current mascot, Tonka, through a remarkable run as Bully XIX. ... Read More

Dr Grace on Safe Haven for Pets Program

Dr. Sharon Grace, CVM Clinical Professor in an interview with Amy Taylor of Farm and Family Radio discusses the Safe Haven for Pets Program, which is a shelter program for pets of domestic violence victims.

Research Day 2009

Research Day August 20th

Click here for Dr. Frondoza's presentaton (streaming video)

Click Here for a copy of Dr. Frondoza's PowerPoint presentation (pdf) 18mb

Keynote Address: Carmelita G. Frondoza, Ph.D

The CVM Research Day will be August 20th. Oral presentations by summer research experience students and graduate students will begin at 8:00 am in the CVM auditorium, and posters will be presented from 11:15-12:15. The keynote address by Dr. Carmelita G. Frondoza will be at 1:00 pm in the CVM auditorium. Dr. Frondoza received her PhD and post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins University. She is currently a part time Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University and is Director of Research and Development for Nutramax. She serves on the editorial board for two biomaterials journals and has published 80 peer reviewed manuscripts. She received funding for her research from government agencies and from a number of biotech companies. Her address will be followed by the awards presentation at 2:00 pm. A schedule in pdf is listed here.

Common Household Items Can be Toxic for Pets

Dr. Joey Burt, Community Veterinary Service Chief, was on Farm and Family radio recently with Amy Taylor. Dr. Burt discusses the common hazardous & toxic household items that can be harmful to our pets.

Play

2013 at Camp Seminole

The class of 2013 participated in project COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) at Camp Seminole. This team building experience allows the class to build relationships while developing problem-solving, decision-making, communication and leadership skills that will serve them well in the veterinary profession. (A special thanks to Hills Pet Nutrition and AVMA-GHLIT.)

Coating Ceremony for the Class of 2013

The CVM class of 2013 group during the coating ceremony Thursday. This ceremony marks the induction of the new class into the professional veterinary curriculum.

Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Ruby Lynn Carter Smith - Animal Health Technician - AHC/Clinical Sciences Dept. (Surgery) who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for AUGUST 2009

AVSAB Student Chapter Service Award

Congratulations to the MSU-CVM Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (SCAVSAB) for winning the AVSAB Student Chapter Service Award. This award was recently presented at the ACVB/AVSAB Veterinary Behavior Symposium in Seattle, WA.

Radio Program on Veterinary Dentistry

Dr. Diana Eubanks' radio program on veterinary dentistry will air Tuesday, July 28th on Farm and Family radio. Dr. Eubanks is an Assistant Clinical Professor at MSUCVM and a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry.

Keenum, Tuck Visit

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed Dr. Mark Keenum, MSU President; Amy Tuck, Special Assistant to the President and Kyle Steward, Executive Director of External Affairs as they toured the CVM. The tour highlighted the multidisciplinary aspects of the College's teaching, research and service including a stop at the Mobile Veterinary Unit, a visit with a summer research intern and a trip through the large and small animal hospitals.

Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program

Farm and Family Radio recently aired an interview with Dr. Andrew Mackin, Hugh G. Ward Endowed Chair of Small Animal Veterinary Medicine. The program highlighted the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program. Over the past five years, MSU-CVM has been ranked among the most successful veterinary colleges and in two of those years has had the highest success rate in the nation.

Summer Research Experience

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine offers a Summer Research Experience Program that introduces veterinary students to biomedical research and career opportunities in that field. Each student in this twelve-week program works with a faculty mentor.... Read MoreFrom front to back: Alexandria Murphy, Todd Sullivan, Kim Pluta, Missy Taylor, Cassie Bayer, Cyprianna Swiderski,Claire Fellman, Matt Castellaw, Drew Leach, Lukina Burks, Danielle Chemerys, Henderson King, Jesse Little, Grant Ramsey, Autumn Harris, Brian Rakauskas, Hart Bailey, Mark Lawrence, Ryan Centini, Youry Dupre, Larry Hanson, Camillo Bulla, Andrea Varela-Stokes
Not pictured: John Burnett, SRE student who is working with Dr. Shuping Zhang at the CVM diagnostic lab in Pearl.

PAWS project educates future animal owners

By Linda Breazeale

MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University veterinary students are not satisfied learning about animals themselves; they want to lay the educational foundation for future pet owners, as well.

Pet Awareness With Students, or PAWS, is a pilot project initiated by third-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students Shannon Vawter of Horn Lake and Katie Ebers of Jackson. The two students also are pursuing master’s in public health degrees in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s dual-degree option. Read More...

Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating
Mr. Ryan Detwiler - Animal Health Technician - AHC/Clinical Sciences Dept. who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for JULY 2009

7 Tips to Ease Your Pets’ Fireworks Fears

From: http://www.wral.com
While the Fourth of July is a time for fireworks and celebration, for many pets and their owners it can be a nightmare. The loud noises, flashing lights, and smell of sulfur can cause excessive fear in pets. Nervous behaviors such as trembling, whimpering, and panting may be distressful to the pet, but the animal’s natural response to flee from what he interprets as a threatening situation may result in serious injury. Some dogs are so frightened by fireworks that they may run through glass windows, or escape from the yard and run the risk of being hit by a car. Read More for tips...

Other Helpful Links:

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/pets-and-fireworks.html

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090630/BLOGS22/906309888

http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa062900.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090702/sc_livescience/howtokeeppetssafeduringfireworks

http://www.wikihow.com/Look-After-Pets-During-Fireworks

Dr. Fiona McCarthy, Radio Interview

Fiona McCarthy, Associate Research Professor at CVM, was recently interviewed by Mississippi Public Radio. She grew up in northern Australia on a cattle and sheep ranch, and compares her experiences there to those she has encountered in Mississippi. Dr. McCarthy also explains, in simplistic terms, biocuration, what it is and why it is important to us.
Listen to Interview

Veterinarians in residence…

Post-graduate studies lead to specialist status

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Some graduating Mississippi State University veterinary students participate in a national match-making program each year that has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with successful careers.

The national match program enhances career opportunities for graduating doctors of veterinary medicine, or DVMs, and introduces potential faculty to jobs available at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Read More...

Referral partnership offers service, expands educational opportunities

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Time and location are crucial factors in managing medical emergencies, but there always have been fewer critical care facilities available within a short distance when the victim is the family pet. Read More...

MSU Veterinary Services chief ‘coaches’ students to success

By Patti Drappala
Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Dr. Joey Burt wants veterinary medical students who plan to open or join a clinic to develop medical, communication and business skills needed to be successful private practitioners well before they graduate. Read More...

Dog Days of Summer

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Mark Russak's radio interview, Tips for Your Pets During the Dog Days of Summer, will air on Thursday, June 18th on Farm and Family Radio interview with Amy Taylor. The link below is an MP3 version of the program.

Click here to play.

Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Tracy Miller - Client Accounts Assistant - AHC/Clinical Sciences Dept. who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for JUNE 2009.

Jan Chambers featured in "Our People"

As a professor in basic sciences and director of the Center for Environmental Health Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jan Chambers plays with some pretty mean chemicals, but to her, it's all in a day's work.
Read More...

Employee of the Month

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Dee Gallik, Administrative Assistant - PPM Department who has been chosen as CVM "Employee of the Month" for MAY 2009.

MSU 'bails out' Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

By Linda Breazeale

MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Equine veterinarians at Mississippi State University feel like celebrating when they hear news about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Instead of gloom-and-doom news from Wall Street, they think about the healthy twin products of a champion cutting horse named Cal Senorita. Read More...

Dr. Joy Mordecai, an equine reproduction resident at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, holds Freddie Mac, one of the twin foals from a champion cutting horse, while its surrogate mother keeps a close eye on her colt. (Photo by Linda Breazeale)