Imaging partnership benefits two- and four-legged patients

By Karen Templeton
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

A special partnership focused on using imaging technology to treat brain tumors in cats and dogs shows promise for treating human patients.
Researchers at Veterinary Specialty Center, or VSC, an affiliate of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and MSU’s Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies, are using imaging technology to understand more about canine and feline brain tumors. VSC is housed within the Premier Imaging complex in Starkville, just a few miles from the veterinary college. Premier treats human patients, while VSC treats animal patients.  more...

The Terri Nusz Endowed Equine Professorship will provide teaching and support in equine health.

Office of Public Affairs News Bureau (662) 325-3442 Contact: Amy Cagle December 09, 2013
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A $12.3 million gift from Mississippi State alumni Tommy and Terri Nusz of Houston, Texas, will benefit multiple academic colleges and units at the 135-year-old university.
The gift continues the Nusz' support of the land-grant institution and is one of the largest to date for the MSU Foundation's current fundraising endeavor, Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign.

"This leadership-level commitment from MSU alumni Tommy and Terri Nusz will have a far-reaching impact in helping Mississippi State University provide leadership and advance its mission of education, outreach, and research," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.
...
Continuing their focus on equine health, a portion of their gift assists the College of Veterinary Medicine with an endowed position known as the Terri Nusz Endowed Equine Professorship. Earnings from the $1 million endowment will provide a faculty holder salary supplement and support in teaching and research. Terri Nusz oversees the family's various interests in equine sport including TnT Equine Partners, Amalaya Investments, and Oasis Stables, and they want to encourage faculty efforts in equine study.  more...

MSU freshman learns research ropes in flu lab

By Susan Collins-Smith
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Lucas Ferguson is a little different from most other Mississippi State University freshmen.
Ferguson, a Batesville native, got a head start on his goal to become a medical researcher last year while still a senior at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus. Ferguson began learning basic biosafety and maintenance procedures by assisting Dr. Henry Wan’s graduate, Ph.D. and post-doctoral students with their research in the virology laboratory. more...

Research is impacted by natural disasters

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- In a state where tornadoes, hurricanes and floods are regular -- although unwanted -- visitors, Mississippi State University has plans for how to preserve data and ongoing research projects.
Hurricane Katrina’s Aug. 29 anniversary provides reminders of the havoc natural disasters can wreak with lives, homes and businesses. Losses to research are less tangible but can be just as devastating.
Dr. Stephen Pruett, head of basic sciences at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, knows just how high those losses could mount.
“Quite often, researchers have several months or even years invested in their work,” Pruett said. “It would be devastating if something were to happen to their data or samples.” more...

MSU dog rescue program achieves fundraising goal

STARKVILLE, Miss.--What began in 2007 as a small student effort at Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine now is a highly organized program that has saved more than 3,200 dogs in Mississippi.
Now, thanks to the kindness of donors and a $26,000 grant from the ASPCA®, the university program is reaching a new level of success.
The Homeward Bound Project of Mississippi began when MSU veterinary students Megan Caulfield, Krista Gazzola, and Amy White noticed an imbalance between the large supply of adoptable dogs in the South and a continuing high demand in the Northeast. They went on to create the first successful transport program developed, maintained and operated by veterinary students. more...

Young researchers study reproductive challenges

By Linda Breazeale
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Their classmates may be taking the summer off, but two undergraduate students at Mississippi State University are spending long hours in a laboratory conducting studies that would challenge seasoned researchers.

Their supervisor, Erdogan Memili, is not surprised. He nominated Alexis Parisi and Kate Thompson for National Science Foundation research programs for elite undergraduates.

“Students like Alexis and Kate, with their motivation for research, will be pioneers in science,” said Memili, an associate professor in animal and dairy science. “They will help shape the way scientists address issues in reproduction.”  more...

MSU researchers study role of platelets in canine cancer

By Karen Templeton
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A group of veterinarians at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is working to better understand cancer in dogs, work that will likely also advance knowledge of human cancer.
MSU scientists said there is little difference between cancerous tumors found in dogs and humans, and the opportunity to help both human and canine patients is growing.
“The answers may be in blood platelets. We have a lot to gain by looking at platelets and how they influence cancer and healing,” said Dr. Camillo Bulla, assistant professor in the college’s Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine. “The platelet is very small, but it gives us a large picture. We hope to be able to find a tumor much sooner by taking a series of blood samples to look at platelet contents.”

more...    Also in Pegasus Press

Vet camp offers experience for high school students

By Kaitlyn Byrne
MSU Office of Ag Communications

Students interested in veterinary school had an opportunity to get an inside look at the profession during the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Camp.
During the recent three-day camp, 13- to 16-year-olds attended labs taught by MSU College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and participated in hands-on workshops.
Brandi Van Ormer, director of communications for the college, said the camp strives to give students a realistic picture of what it is like to be a veterinary student.
“Typically, we show them both the large and small animal side of things, from horses and cows to cats and dogs,” Van Ormer said. “Campers get to do swabs and examine them under the microscope, practice basic suturing techniques, make dental molds and so much more. It’s all interactive.” "read more"...

Travel with pets requires planning

By Susan Collins-Smith
MSU Ag Communications

JACKSON -- Whether families head to the local park or an out-of-town destination, veterinarians advise them this summer to take steps to ensure pets stay safe and healthy as they travel.
Dr. Joey Burt, assistant clinical professor and director of the Animal Health Center at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said before setting out on any trip, pet owners should make sure their pets are comfortable with riding in an automobile. Burt suggested taking pets on short trips to gauge their tolerance. more...

Research program shows students diverse careers

By Susan Collins-Smith
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When veterinarian Dr. Alicia Olivier arrives for work every day, she isn’t greeted by wagging tails and nervous meows. Instead, she spends her days behind a microscope to help better understand disease processes and therapy development.
Olivier is a member of a diverse set of veterinary scientists who conduct a variety of biomedical research that impacts animal and human health. more...

CVM and Palmer Home partner to protect horses

By Karen Templeton
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

COLUMBUS – Regular eye exams are an integral part of animal health maintenance, so the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine is providing free eye screening to service animals throughout the month of May.
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and animal health company Merial host the National Service Dog Eye Exam every May. Veterinary ophthalmologists, including MSU’s Dr. Caroline Betbeze, donate their time and resources to provide free, sight-saving eye exams to eligible service animals.
But dogs are not the only service animals that rely on healthy vision.
“Soon after we announced our participation in this event, we had nine horses signed up,” Betbeze said. “I was pleased to learn that these horses are part of Palmer Home for Children’s therapeutic riding program. Palmer Home is close to MSU. Examining the horses is not only good for their health, but also provides a learning opportunity for our students.” more...

Routine vet visits keep pets ready for disaster

By Susan Collins-Smith
MSU Ag Communications

JACKSON – Getting routine health care for family pets is just as important as having a fully-stocked emergency kit and a home evacuation plan when preparing for disasters.
“After a disaster, many animals must be boarded because their homes are damaged or they are injured or lost,” said Dr. Carla Huston, veterinarian and associate professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “In a boarding setting, animals may be exposed to other animals that are carrying diseases that may not be visually evident.” Read More....

Three MSU students chosen for prestigious UN internships

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Through separate summer internships with the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization, three Mississippi State students will be helping people around the world achieve food security.
Selected to work with FAO regional offices are Victoria L. Hall of Newton, Ohio, a third-year veterinary medicine major at the university; senior business administration major Casie E. Leavell of Moody, Ala.; and junior Shelly L. Johnston of Mount Olive, a food science, nutrition and health promotion major. Read more...

Routine vet visits keep pets ready for disaster

By Susan Collins-Smith
MSU Ag Communications

JACKSON – Getting routine health care for family pets is just as important as having a fully-stocked emergency kit and a home evacuation plan when preparing for disasters.
“After a disaster, many animals must be boarded because their homes are damaged or they are injured or lost,” said Dr. Carla Huston, veterinarian and associate professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “In a boarding setting, animals may be exposed to other animals that are carrying diseases that may not be visually evident.”
Routine health care includes physical examinations, vaccinations and screenings for contagious parasites. Boarding facilities require pets be up-to-date on routine health care before accepting them. In a disaster situation, there are often no exceptions, Huston said. more...

Employee of the Month

Congratulations Tonya Calmes, student affairs, admissions assistant for being awarded CVM's March employee of the month.

MSU veterinarians save dog attacked by coyote

By Keri Collins Lewis
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – When Dutch, a miniature dachshund, arrived at Mississippi State University’s Animal Health Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine, he was lucky to be alive.
“Most people would have put him to sleep, but I thought he had a chance,” said Dr. Robert Shamblin, Dutch’s owner and a veterinarian for over 40 years. “He wanted to live.”
Dutch was attacked by a coyote on his morning outing with Shamblin’s wife at their home outside of Tuscaloosa.
“When he came in the house, I saw that he had puncture wounds on each side of his chest,” Shamblin said. “I wrapped him up, took him to my clinic, cleaned his wounds, gave him IVs and medication, and sutured him up as best as I could. On one side of his rib cage he was split three inches along his intercostal muscles. We sewed any tissue we could get to cover the wound.”  More....

Morgan Freeman fund for scholarships

By Keri Collins Lewis
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The generosity of one of Mississippi’s most famous residents attracts veterinary students from diverse cultural backgrounds to the Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman established the Morgan Freeman Endowment for Veterinary Medicine in 1998 to make a quality education available to young Mississippians interested in veterinary careers. Funds from the endowment are awarded to a veterinary student who meets the qualifications Freeman established to help the college aggressively recruit underrepresented minority students.  More...

Heart's passions will make the best careers

 By Linda Breazeale
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Even though she did not grow up on a farm, Dr. Cyprianna “Chipper” Swiderski grew up in the Baltimore area with a love for horses.
That love carried her through two graduate degrees, an internship, a residency and nearly 25 years as an equine practitioner. Now, she is a faculty member in the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“I loved the idea of being a veterinarian, but I also considered engineering. The key to career choices is finding your passion. What will hold your interest when you are exhausted? For me, that answer, ‘horses,’ is rooted in a very special bond I found with them as a child,” she said.  Read More....

Employee of the Month Stephanie Huffman

Congratulations to Stephanie Huffman, CVM's employee of the month for January!  Stephanie has been at the CVM since 2004, working as an administrative assistant in Research and Graduate Studies, helping faculty get their grants submitted, among many other duties.  Even though the grant submission process was new to Stephanie when she started, she's become adept at the process.  "It's a good feeling when one of those grants is awarded after all the work that goes into getting it submitted," she says.  Stephanie and her husband Clint have two daughters: Hanna Clare (8), and Chesley (3).   Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys gardening, reading, camping, and spending time with her family.