Pegasus Press Fall 2015

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M I S S I S S I P P I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y • C O L L E G E O F V E T E R I N A RY M E D I C I N E

hydrocephalus procedure

Provides Promise for Puppies & Kittens

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had cancer of the jaw and was not expected to do well, but Dr. Lodato and the AERC team stepped in and successfully treated the dog. That special pet’s healing and recovery was in the hands of Dr. Lodato. The single gift, the seemingly small gesture, came full circle.

Actually, a circle is what really comes to mind when I think about this.

That first gesture was the pebble dropped in the pond, producing one circular ripple. But one ripple after another results, and the ripples become wider and wider. We know of this as the ripple effect, and I’m quite fortunate to see how this works here at our college—how these single actions combine and have such a far-reaching effect.

In this issue, you will read about students whose grassroots efforts

are improving the lives of retired military dogs and educating underserved youths about veterinary medicine and animal care. These students started with small actions— enrolling a local retired military dog in a 10-session rehabilitation program, inviting a student to shadow faculty at the college— but what resulted has far-reaching, long-lasting effects. We expect to see their programs grow and develop, changing more lives.

We receive letters from clients lauding our faculty, students, and staff for

the care they provide and the expertise they demonstrate. What really strikes me is that, often, it is just a calm statement, a small expression of empathy, or

a message from the

DEAN Dr. Kent Hoblet

a kind gesture that makes the biggest impact.

We have had clients donate in memory of their pets, but also in honor

of those who cared for their pets. A student who provided comfort on the last day of a dog’s life was surprised at graduation by the family who wished to recognize her for her kindness. A faculty member who worked through a difficult case has a scholarship named in her honor. While we can measure the monetary value of these gifts, it is too soon to see the true impact. I expect that others will be inspired to act with kindness and empathy, or to dedicate

I think we’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s the little things that matter

most.” But what does that really mean, and how are we truly impacted by “the little things”?

I received a letter recently from a friend of the college. She was reflecting

on our institution’s growth and progress and how, over the years, faculty and graduates had directly changed her life and the lives of those around her. This friend of MSU-CVM has donated to scholarships at our college.

At the time she made these gifts and funded scholarships, such as the Paul Bass scholarship, she didn’t realize exactly what the outcome would be. She wasn’t thinking of herself; she simply wanted to help others.

When a student was struggling to pay tuition, our friend was there.

She donated what she could to get that student through her fourth year of veterinary college. What’s the result of her generosity? That student graduated, and our friend was in the audience. The student has gone on to

themselves to researching better and more effective treatment options. It’s really nice to think about those continuing ripples.

Our public trusts us with their pets, and our state animal agriculture

industries rely on us to keep their businesses successful. There is a lot of “big work” to be done, but it seems that it often starts with just the smallest step— one pebble dropped into a pond.

We continue to take those small steps and like to see how our ripples extend beyond the walls of our college.

Our friend of the college concluded her letter with these words: “When

I have the opportunity to meet the scholarship recipients, I have no scholarly knowledge to offer them. I’ve not had the opportunities that they will have in their careers. But I do share with them a quote, and I hope that they remember it as they embark on their new careers: ‘To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.’”

have a successful career improving animal health.

But that’s not the end of this story: the scholarship was continued

annually. One recipient was Dr. Dena Lodato (DVM 2013), now a boardcertified veterinary surgeon, who practiced at our Animal Emergency

Dr. Kent H. Hoblet

and Referral Center in Flowood before moving into private practice. The

Dean & Professor | CVM Office of the Dean | (662) 325-1131

scholarship donor’s friend brought her very sick dog to the AERC. The dog

PEGASUS PRESS

MISS ISS IPP I STATE UN I VERS IT Y • C OLLEGE OF V ETER INARY ME D I C I NE

Pegasus Press is published three times each year by the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Kent Hoblet

Keryn Page

Dean

Editor

Dr. Ron McLaughlin Associate Dean Administration

Dr. Mark Lawrence Associate Dean Research & Graduate Studies

Dr. Jack Smith Interim Associate Dean Academic Affairs

Karen Templeton Director Outreach & Communications

Kim Trimm Tom Thompson

Dr. Joey Burt Director Animal Health Center

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Photographer

Direct suggestions, requests, comments, and story ideas to: Karen TEmpleton (662) 325-1100 karen.templeton@msstate.edu Pegasus Press is produced by the MSU Office of Agricultural Communications.

www.cvm.msstate.edu

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10 Mi r a c l e D o g

12 N e w P r o c e du r e

19 H u m a n - A n i m a l B o n d

www.facebook.com/msucvm

Katie Timmerman Communications Coordinator

c o n t e n t s

Graphic Designer

Dr. Rich Meiring Assistant Dean Admissions & Student Affairs

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We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

21 K a t r i n a Fu n d

Dr. Stephen Pruett Department Head Basic Sciences

Dr. andrew Mackin

COVER PHOTOS: FRONT

Dr. Bill Epperson

A new CVM-developed technique may reduce surgical complications in small animals with obstructive hydrocephalus.

Department Head Pathobiology & Population Medicine

BACK

Interim Department Head Clinical Sciences

Dr. Lanny Pace Executive Director Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory System

CVM hosted a group of agricultural professionals from Pakistan in July as part of a Dairy Herd Management Program. They got hands-on training at the college and visited farms throughout the state.

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Dad gave in to our pleading and cut a broken-handled, goose-

necked hoe down to fit us pint-sized beggars. He made similar adjustments to a discarded 3-pound single bit axe that was essentially of the same sharpness on head and blade ends.

Rotary pasture cutters were not yet on the scene. We used a 6-foot

sickle bar mower on a small Ford tractor to clip weeds and small bushes out of pastures and hayfields. Any stem larger than a man’s index finger would break the knife sections of this mower. Larger bushes were

I Don’t Know How We Survived

As I observe children and young people in today’s high-tech

environment, I contemplate how vastly evolved (or possibly devolved) their living, play, and entertainment experiences are compared with what my generation considered “normal” activities.

It seems that all children wish to emulate the adults they live with.

We saw our elders preparing soil and tending and harvesting gardens and fields, and we longed to be able to assist in these obviously respected endeavors. We were offended by plastic tools in sandbox garden sets and play tool kits. We wanted something you could use to move some dirt, slaughter some weeds, adjust wooden chair leg lengths, or batter countless nails into mangled submission.

4 | EARNING RES P E C T B Y E X C EE D ING E X P E C T A T IONS

skipped, chopped down with an axe, dragged to a pile, and burned.

My brother and I embarked on a persimmon sprout-cutting

mission in the pasture near the house. It was pretty slow going gnawing through these bushes with the dull axe described above. The task went better when he held the bush flat for me to chop down on. After I had felled a few, he petitioned for me to return the favor. I was holding the bush over when he made his first swing, bringing the dull axe down on my left index finger (bone bared). Mother brought her shoebox of first aid supplies to the pasture and bandaged the mangled digit. She always bandaged us up outside. I suppose she did not want to clean up another mess inside. I ended up with a nice scar, but the dullness of the axe prevented the accident from impeding future ciphering abilities.

We spent much of each warm season on bare feet, which

encountered myriad physically injurious hazards. Shoes were worn grudgingly in especially hazardous situations such as on tractors, in the

woods, working cattle and hogs, etc. Your feet had to get reaccustomed to shoes once the school year began each fall.

Ticks and chiggers were encountered on a near daily basis in the

summer. DEET-containing repellants were not available. We mixed flowers of sulfur with lard and slathered it around our ankles in an attempt to repel

McLaughlin Named CVM Associate Dean

ticks and chiggers. Detergents, disinfectants, and petroleum compounds were added to bath water in an attempt to eradicate any resident chiggers before enough of their potent toxins seeped into our flesh to deal their misery. Tick-borne diseases were either not as prevalent as now or just had not been recognized yet.

Environmentally persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides

such as DDT were used to treat houses and were misted into the air of communities for mosquito control. Similar compounds were applied as dusts or sprays to livestock and to garden and field crops, thus exposing those applying them to skin contact or inhalation contamination. We tied handkerchiefs over our noses, strapped on a hand-cranked duster, and walked through 4 acres of tomatoes dispensing fungicides and/or insecticides at dusk. We mixed wheat bran, Paris green (arsenic and coppercontaining insecticide), water, and a touch of molasses to control cutworms on recently transplanted tomato plants. We would (bare-handed) pinch off and apply a small bit of this deadly green-tinged concoction that looked like oatmeal cookie dough at the base of each tender plant.

Public health personnel would not approve of some common practices

we considered routine. We drank raw Jersey cow milk each day. Our home was on an extension from a small community deep-well system that generally provided water of good quality. We drank water from many shallow hand-dug wells when visiting family and friends who did not have access to improved sources of water. County health department nurses visited our community and our schools periodically to administer routine vaccinations, which I am confident saved us from falling ill from some of those water-source contaminants.

The several farm ponds on our place served as communal swimming

holes for cows, hogs, geese, turtles, fish, snakes, and us. The hogs seemed to hate snakes and would reduce their numbers significantly in a pond.

Of course, some dangers were self-generated. The family doctor had

prescribed penicillin capsules for me to treat a throat infection. This was my first experience swallowing gelatin capsules, and I gagged on the first one and broke it. Mother indicated that she had spent an outrageous 50 cents apiece for those capsules and a sore throat would be of minor consequence it I did not shape up and take them all as directed. Done.

Until we meet again to share reflections and recollections from the

tractor seat, please remember, if you are not hurting, you probably are not doing enough.

Thank you.

A. Wayne Groce, DVM Professor Emeritus | groce@cvm.msstate.edu

Dr. Ron McLaughlin has been named the new associate dean for administration of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

McLaughlin, a board-certified veterinary surgeon, started at MSUCVM in 2000 as an associate professor and chief of surgery. He became head of the department of clinical sciences in 2006.

“Dr. McLaughlin provides exemplary teaching and administration at our college,” said Dean Kent Hoblet. “Under his leadership, there have been many accomplishments and advances within the clinical sciences department.”

McLaughlin helped develop two centers that serve veterinary needs within the region. The Veterinary Specialty Center is a partnership with MSU’s Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies. Experts at VSC are using imaging technology to understand more about and treat canine and feline brain tumors and other neurological problems. 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. The Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Flowood was developed through a partnership with Jackson-area veterinarians and provides 24-hour emergency care to pets in the area, along with specialty services.

“Dr. McLaughlin provided many of the early ideas on these projects and also the guidance needed to make them successful,” Hoblet said. “His vision for the college has not only improved animal care in our state, but has also provided unparalleled opportunities for our students.”

McLaughlin also provided leadership in establishing the college’s Veterinary Medical Technology program. One of only three 4-year veterinary technology programs in the country, the undergraduate program provides hands-on clinical experiences alongside veterinary students.

As associate dean, McLaughlin will help lead MSU-CVM in carrying out its strategic plan, continuing to recruit and retain quality faculty and students, and keeping ahead of the curve in new advances in animal and public health.

“Dr. McLaughlin understands our mission, and, as a matter of fact, really helped us develop and shape it,” Hoblet said.

“His career reflects accomplishments in veterinary surgery, outreach, teaching, and administration, and we are proud to have him take on this new role.”

McLaughlin earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He completed his surgery residency at the Ontario Veterinary College, taught at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and worked in private practice before coming to MSU.

By Karen Templeton Pegasus Press

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CVM Celebrates AAVMC

MSU-CVM is proud to be a part of the 50th anniversary observation of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

Dean Kent Hoblet, who served as the association’s president in 2013, said the celebration helps local audiences understand how AAVMC has benefited member institutions and has helped improve animal health in the region as well as the nation.

“This national anniversary provides an opportunity for us to leverage the celebration to educate at the local level,” Hoblet said. “We are proud to see some of our clinicians highlighted

in the PSA videos and have enjoyed sharing those in our region, letting our stakeholders know how important our participating in AAVMC has been.”

The purpose of the 50th anniversary celebration is much more than the celebration of an important milestone.

“What we hope to do with this celebration is illuminate the critical role that academic veterinary medicine is playing in the modern world and build greater awareness and support for what we do,” said Dr. Ralph Richardson, former

dean of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and chair of a 12-member committee that has been working for more than a year to develop the project.

The AAVMC is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people, and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Its members include 35 veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada, nine departments of veterinary science, eight departments of comparative medicine, 13 international colleges of veterinary medicine, and six affiliate colleges of veterinary medicine.

Meet

The faculty

Dr. Alicia Olivier

Pathologist Returns “Home” to CVM

Reflecting on the 10 years since her graduation from MSU-CVM, Dr. Alicia Olivier recalls the many opportunities she had as a student that encouraged her in her path to achieve success as a pathologist. In particular, Olivier remembers the Summer Research Experience Program as being a defining moment in her life that sparked her interest in research and pathology.

“I ‘caught’ the research bug that summer,” Olivier recalled. “The summer research opportunity and Dr. Mark Lawrence’s mentorship really shaped my future. When I looked for pathology residency positions, I only looked at opportunities in which research would be a component. Research has been a part of my life ever since, and I enjoy the variety and excitement that it brings.”

Lawrence, associate dean for research, remembers Olivier as being one of the first students he mentored in the Summer Research Experience Program.

“She was also one of the best,” he said. “I still remember her project.

She sequenced and compared regulatory regions for virulence genes in the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.”

In addition to her summer research experience at MSU-CVM, Olivier credits a personal mentor of hers, Dr. Dan Scruggs, a pathologist, as someone who encouraged her on her path to become a pathologist.

“His job intrigued me and, the more I learned, the more I could see myself as a pathologist,” she said. “As a veterinary student, I went on several externships where I gained more exposure to pathology and quickly realized that I really enjoyed it

and that the job opportunities in pathology were quite diverse.”

Upon graduation, Olivier joined the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames for 5 years to complete an anatomic residency and PhD program.

It was after that experience that she started what she describes as her first “real job” as an assistant professor with the University of Iowa College of Medicine in the pathology department.

“It was an exciting position, and I had the opportunity to participate as a comparative pathologist in a wide variety of research projects involving a range of animal model species,” Olivier said. “Every day was a new and different challenge, always learning more and seeing new things.”

After spending 4 years in this heavy research environment, she realized she missed the diagnostic pathology and veterinary school environment.

“I love disease pathogenesis, diagnosing disease, and teaching those

I love disease pathogenesis, diagnosing disease, and teaching those concepts.

concepts. I felt it was time for a career shift,” she said.

That is how, after 9 years, she ended up back in Starkville, joining the MSUCVM family once again—this time as a member of the faculty. Olivier said she is excited about how perfectly her position as assistant professor at MSU-CVM encompasses everything that she loves.

“I have the opportunity to do it all—diagnostic pathology, research, and teaching veterinary students. Often I do all three of these in the same day,” she said.

“It’s always exciting.”

Lawrence is glad to have Olivier back at the CVM.

“Some students stand out in your memory. Dr. Olivier is one of those because she learned so quickly, had such a positive attitude, and worked so hard. MSU-CVM is fortunate that she has come back home as one of our bright young stars on faculty.”

By Katie Timmerman

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CVM’s

Smith Given National Award

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CVM professor and epidemiologist Dr. David Smith was presented with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Award of Excellence at the organization’s national meeting in New Orleans.

Smith, the Mikell and Mary Cheek Hall Davis Endowed Professor and Beef Program Leader, was awarded by the AABP for his contributions to bovine practitioners around the country, his research and publications, and his part in regulatory and legislative activities that have enhanced bovine medicine delivery.

The board-certified veterinary epidemiologist came to CVM in 2012 from the University of Nebraska. Smith focuses on the use of field epidemiology to discover how beef cattle production systems can be modified to improve the health, well being, and productivity of cattle, and benefit human and environmental health. Smith uses his research expertise and more than 30 years of experience in cattle production systems to assist the owners of the 17,000 beef cattle farms in Mississippi.

“Dr. Smith is an excellent choice for this award, and it is truly an honor to have him here at our college,” said Dean Kent Hoblet. “He is an expert in beef cattle health, and what’s more is that he is also a great communicator, engaging others in important research that ultimately improves U.S. herd health and viability.”

Smith spends much of his time working across the state with producers as well as students. Getting veterinary students involved helps ensure the cattle industry’s current and future success.

Smith is actively preparing veterinary

students to serve rural clients and help keep small businesses alive and thriving.

“Our students are getting unparalleled experiences with Dr. Smith,” Hoblet said. “Working so close with this industry gives students more than just insight on raising healthy cattle; he is helping them really understand being a part of a community and doing their part to share resources in rural areas.”

Smith is recognized as a leader in beef cattle health in the U.S. and serves in an advising capacity to regional and national organizations, including the USDA Secretary’s Committee on Animal Health.

“Dr. Smith’s dedication to learning, community, and research is exactly what Dr. Mikell Davis had in mind when he and his wife, Mary Cheek Davis, endowed the professorship,” Hoblet said. “Because of their commitment, we have Dr. Smith here at our college—a benefit to our students and also to our state’s livestock producers.”

Davis was a faculty member at MSUCVM for nearly 30 years, and Smith is the first to hold the professorship position.

Smith completed his undergraduate, DVM, and PhD degrees at The Ohio State University. He worked in private practice for 9 years before starting a career in academia. He also participates in research and extension activities regarding the responsible use of antibiotics and methods to manage cattle populations to control the transmission of pathogens important to cattle and human health.

By Karen Templeton

MSU Vet Students

Help Military dogs

When retired military hero Maci arrives for his physical rehabilitation sessions at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, he has an audience and a lot of treats. Dog treats, that is.

Maci, a large, handsome German shepherd, served as a U.S. Air Force military working dog for almost 6 years.

With his handler, Staff Sergeant Karl Stefanowicz, Maci served three tours of Afghanistan and one tour of Oman and is credited with multiple explosive finds.

He now resides at home with Stefanowicz and his wife, and like many retired military dogs, Maci has joint and muscle issues.

“I was really interested in prolonging Maci’s life and, most importantly, making it as comfortable as it could be,” Stefanowicz said.

A conversation with CVM graduate Captain Teri Vaughn when she visited the college last fall led to a collaboration with the CVM Class of 2018. Class secretary and treasurer Courtney Griffin was familiar with charitable programs that focus on supporting currently deployed military working dogs and their handlers, but none of them helped canine veterans. After a consultation with Vaughn, Vets for Vets was born.

“Our class wanted to do something for our community and to improve animal

health in some way,” Griffin said.

“Vets for Vets is about taking care of our four-legged heroes.”

The students raise funds to pay for participants’ treatments. Most of the dogs have severe degenerative joint issues and benefit from regular physical therapy.

Treatment and rehabilitation is a team approach at the college. Dr. Christine Bryan, assistant clinical professor and MSU-CVM alumna, conducts a thorough intake exam and then works with Ruby Lynn Carter, veterinary technician, to get the dogs started with physical rehabilitation. The students are involved through observing and helping deliver some of the treatments, such as laser therapy.

“Our goal is to get the dogs feeling better and improve their quality of life,” Griffin said. “The bonus is that we can learn about rehab through observing and assisting Ruby Lynn.”

The dogs work on an aquatic treadmill and in an endless pool, among other treatment options. Each dog is provided 10 therapy sessions, and Stefanowicz said the results are obvious.

“Maci is like a puppy again since starting the treatment,” he said. “I can see that he is better at managing his hip issues, and he’s just become more social and outgoing. It’s great to get him out and watch him interact with people.”

Stefanowicz said Maci has become a Mississippi State University “ambassador.”

“He’s got a team at MSU taking care of him,” he said. “He’s even had meet-andgreets with the mascot, Bully. He’s kind of like our base’s connection to the college.”

Technical Sergeant Dustin Weeks also has a dog in the program. German shepherd Iva has done two tours in Afghanistan, one in Qatar, and one in the United Arab Emirates. Iva’s walks over difficult terrain and the normal aging process left her with arthritis in her hips.

Vaughn introduced Weeks to the Vets for Vets program, and Iva has been a regular patient ever since.

“This is absolutely a great program,” Weeks said. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my work with canines. I’m glad we have access to it and I hope that it can grow so others in the area, and even the nation, can benefit.”

Griffin and her classmates spend time fundraising and also increasing awareness about the program so that they can take on more clients.

“The best part of all of this is giving back to these dogs,” she said. “They have done something so brave and kind for us as part of our military, that the least we can do is make their lives more comfortable.”

To inquire about enrolling a retired military dog in the program or to make a donation, contact Karen Templeton at (662) 325-1100 or karen.templeton@ msstate.edu.

By Karen Templeton PHOTOS: (Left) Second-year student Courtney Griffin conducts laser therapy on retired military dog Maci.

(Right) Maci visits veterinary students at the CVM football tailgate.

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Mir acle DOg :

The Healing Impact of Teamwork

Marie South had traveled a long road before she found her forever home.

Born in Russia, the little French bulldog arrived in Salt Lake City at the home of a breeder, who sent her picture to Joni South in Madison, Mississippi. South instantly fell in love with Marie, and so Marie was put on a flight to come to her new home.

From the beginning, Marie’s sweet personality charmed all around her: she visited with nursing home patients, modeled for Mississippi College, and generally warmed the hearts and laps of all she met.

For 8 years, Marie lived a happy and pampered life with South (along with Frenchie family members Rue and Boomer) until one July evening in 2014. Around 9:30 that night, Marie climbed into South’s lap and had a seizure.

South promptly got Marie in to see Dr. Danny Prestel in Canton, where she had another seizure.

Prestel referred Marie to the Animal Emergency and Referral Clinic, an MSU-CVM affiliate service located in Flowood. The AERC provides veterinary emergency and specialty care services to the pet owners in the Jackson area. Marie was seen by Drs. Darrell Phillips and Christine Eaves.

“At Marie’s age, we knew that epilepsy was likely not the cause, so we were probably looking at something neurological,” said Eaves, an emergency veterinarian.

A CT was performed, and Marie was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Phillips, AERC director and an MSU-CVM alum, referred Marie to Veterinary Specialty Center, a CVM-affiliated clinic in Starkville, for a neurological consult. South, while

worried about Marie, knew that, between the AERC and VSC, her puppy was in good hands.

The team at AERC stabilized Marie and sent South to Starkville. Once there, Marie was evaluated by neurologist Dr. Andy Shores, CVM clinical professor and head of the college’s neurology/neurosurgery service.

“Dr. Shores, Dr. Garcia, and the entire team were so caring,” South said. “Dr. Shores showed so much compassion when he told me about the options we had to treat Marie’s tumor.”

Shores said Marie’s tumor was growing rapidly. The options were chemo only, chemo and radiation, or chemo, radiation, and surgery. South opted for chemo and radiation, and Shores and his team composed a treatment plan.

Shores showed South the studies and charts and made certain she understood both the severity and rarity of Marie’s case, and then he explained the course of treatment he recommended for Marie: 14 radiation treatments at VSC in Starkville and 6 months of oral chemotherapy at home.

With that, Marie started on another long road. Unlike her first trip to South’s home, this time she would have family, friends, clinicians, residents, and veterinary students with her every step of the way. During their many visits to VSC for radiation therapy, South was thrilled with the extra touches of love from the veterinary students helping out.

“We work as a team at VSC,” Shores said, “and the students play a vital role in that as they learn from the extraordinary cases we see here.”

10 | EARNING RES P E C T B Y E X C EE D ING E X P E C T A T IONS

For 6 months after finishing radiation, South administered chemotherapy pills to Marie at home, 5 days per week. Family friends Mark and Melissa McKee helped South with Marie’s dosing schedule—coming by to administer Marie’s 4 p.m. pill. Shores and his team regularly checked in with South on Marie’s progress.

“Everyone was just so warm and comforting,” South said.

In February, Marie went back to VSC for an MRI. South’s nervous waiting ended when Shores came out to share some astonishing news.

“He told me that he just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “He said, ‘There are four of us neurologists back there, and we’re all elated.

The tumor is just not there.’”

Jubilant hugs followed from the whole team at VSC—Marie’s scary journey was officially over.

Throughout her ordeal, Marie lost no memory, although she did pick up the habit of barking. South said she returned to using a little bell at the back door to indicate she wanted to go out, and she once again enjoyed playing “dress up” with the grandchildren.

And, of course, Marie became a big supporter of the MSU Bulldogs.

“She’s a fan forever,” South said, “because they saved her life!”

South said although her pet’s treatment was stressful, she would not hesitate to do it again.

“If there was a glimmer of hope, I was going to do it,” she said. “When I signed up for Marie, I signed up for all of her.”

By Brandi Van Ormer PHOTO: Joni South’s French bulldog Marie is a “forever fan” of the MSU Bulldogs since her successful treatment at the CVM Veterinary Specialty Center.

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

June 2015

July 2015

August 2015

Smith

Ratcliff

Bassett

Kyle Smith, an MSUCVM employee for the last 12 years, says that keeping up with the constantly changing technology is the most challenging part of his job, but he enjoys it. Kyle is an IT specialist with Computer Services. “The best part of my job is learning and dealing with technology daily,” he says. Kyle played a key role in changing MSU-CVM’s email system to be compliant with university standards and has helped researchers keep their technology current so they can advance their work. Kyle has two sons, Brody and Jaxson, and one dog, Lucy.

Cindy Ratcliff, administrative assistant in the Dean’s Office, is often the first person to greet visitors when they arrive at MSU-CVM. Here since 2012, Cindy manages Dr. Hoblet’s schedule, arranges visits for guests, and helps plan conferences and meetings. “I love that every day in the Dean’s Office is different. I enjoy the interaction with students when they stop by. And, of course, I enjoy working with all the wonderful CVM family members,” Cindy says. Cindy and her husband, Ted, have a son, a daughter-in-law, and a brand new granddaughter, Lucy. But they never forget their furbaby, Boston terrier Lady Bug.

With only a 4-year break to work at the University of Tennessee, Mike Bassett has been a part of the MSU-CVM family for 30 years. As Laboratory Animal Resources and Care manager, Mike oversees staff members who have a long list of responsibilities, including daily husbandry of animals and ensuring all research work is IACUC approved and compliant.

He says he most enjoys helping faculty and students with their research projects and motivating his team. Mike and his wife have two children, Presley and Hatcher, and a yellow Labrador retriever named River.

MSU Undergraduate

Authors Major Study

Understanding influenza viruses and the spread of infection is key in helping implement prevention and control strategies, and recently an MSU undergraduate student contributed valuable research to that public health effort.

Lucas Ferguson, a Batesville native and junior majoring in microbiology, is the lead author on a study published in Virology, a well-known international medical journal. “Influenza D virus infection in Mississippi beef cattle” extends current knowledge on a new influenza virus and how it impacts bovine production systems.

Ferguson, who works with mentor Dr. Henry Wan, associate professor in the CVM Basic Sciences department, worked with a research team to study a novel influenza virus that is distantly related to human influenza C virus, which nearly all humans have been exposed to at some point. In 2011, a related virus

called IDV was found in swine in Oklahoma. Eventually, IDV was found in cattle in the United States, France, and China. Most recently, it has affected cattle populations in Texas, California, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

“We wanted to learn more about IDV’s epidemiology and if it was present at any point in Mississippi cattle,” Ferguson said.

“We also wanted to understand the impact of beef production management on virus infection and maintenance.”

The research team included Dr. Bill Epperson, Dr. David Smith, Dr. Carla Huston, Li-Ping Long, all with MSU-CVM, along with Dr. Richard Webby and Dr. Laura Eckard at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They found that IDV has existed in Mississippi beef cattle since 2004. Data also suggest that weaned, comingled calves transmit the virus more rapidly than other cattle populations.

“This work will help us know where to look for influenza cases,” said Wan, who has studied influenza viruses since his graduate work in China.

“Cattle producers also will have information to help them better control transmission.”

Ferguson began learning basic biosafety and laboratory research skills as a senior at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, when he began working in Wan’s laboratory. Interested in improving his skills, Ferguson decided to attend MSU and continue working with the CVM influenza research program.

Wan established the influenza research program in 2009 after he worked at the influenza division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His MSU program focuses on the ecology, evolution, and host-pathogen relationship for emerging and re-emerging infectious, zoonotic diseases.

Ferguson looks to continue his study of the ecology of

influenza viruses, or how the viruses interact with their environment and spread among their hosts, in his senior year.

“Influenza is so versatile, so research in this area could potentially be beneficial to making better vaccines and protecting human and animal populations,” he said.

Wan recruits two to three undergraduate students each year who are interested in various fields, including microbiology, biochemistry, and engineering.

In the past 4 years, more than 10 undergraduates from MSU, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Memphis, University of Southern Mississippi, Spring Arbor University, University of Michigan, and Hiram College have worked in Wan’s influenza program.

By Karen Templeton

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Hydrocephalus Procedure Shows Promise for Puppies and Kittens

By Susan collins-smith

A new technique developed by an MSU veterinarian may improve the long-term management of obstructive hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, in small animals by reducing the rate of surgical complications.

“A similar technique is now used in human infants because, with traditional shunt placement, they can experience a complication rate of about 35 percent within the first 2 years,” said Dr. Andy Shores, chief of neurosurgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine. “In small animals, statistics show a complication rate of 25 to 50 percent for traditional shunts, and maybe even higher in very young dogs and cats that have much smaller heads. So we looked for a way to improve the procedure of removing excess fluid off the brain in puppies and kittens.”

Obstructive hydrocephalus happens when spinal fluid accumulates in and around the brain in hollow structures called ventricles instead of being reabsorbed by the body.

It is most often present at birth and can be caused by several different factors, including heredity, prenatal infection, and traumatic birth.

Small breeds that are short in stature with wide heads, such as Boston terriers, pugs, Maltese, Chihuahuas, and toy poodles, are more frequently diagnosed with the disorder. Clinical signs include a large, dome-shaped head caused from the buildup of fluid, gait abnormalities, blindness, sleepiness, and inability to housetrain, among others.

In both humans and animals, neurosurgeons surgically place shunts, or small, tubular structures, through the skull and into the brain to redirect the fluid to another area of the body—usually the abdomen—to be absorbed. Shunts are enclosed in the body but can become displaced, infected, or clogged, or they can collapse, Shores said. Bleeding around the shunt is another potential problem.

“Any of these complications must be corrected with another surgery,” Shores said.

This additional surgery is costly for pet owners. Young patients that are still growing could need surgery with the traditional shunts as often as every 1 to 3 years, said Dr. Michaela Beasley, a neurosurgeon and assistant clinical professor at the college.

“The new, modified technique allows the same removal of fluid without the high rate of complications caused by placing a traditional shunt in the body,” Beasley said. “With this procedure, we create an alternative drainage and absorption site for the fluid by making an extra opening in the ventricle for the drainage.”

High-resolution imaging, including computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps surgeons determine the best site to perform the procedure.

Shores said the modified procedure has been successful in five patients, including a 10-week-old kitten and a 14-week-old puppy.

“Follow-up CT and MRI scans confirmed the new outlets were unobstructed and the ventricles had reduced in size,” he said.

“Their clinical signs also had resolved or improved and remained improved over a period of 6 months.”

The MSU veterinary neurosurgeons who developed the procedure have presented the technique at two national conferences and hope that the veterinary medical community will adopt it as a viable method of managing hydrocephalus and reducing surgical complications, Beasley said.

PHOTO: Dr. Michaela Beasley shows VSC team members how fluid accumulates around the brain in a hydrocephalus case.

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CVM Office of

Development News Join our Family The saying here is that, when you walk through the doors with your pet, you become family.

When I started here almost a year and a half ago, I liked the

Every Client

Helps Grow

the CVM family Tree

sound of it but wasn’t exactly sure how that worked. In just a short amount of time, I was introduced to the high-quality, compassionate care pets receive here and have had the honor of talking to pet owners about their experiences.

I have heard from clients about special students who

treated their pets like their own, a special procedure that saved their pet’s life, and compassion from an entire specialty team when tough decisions had to be made. The resounding consensus is that our clients appreciate the care, expertise, and warm environment here at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Many of those clients leave here with a happy, healthy

pet, and others may have had to say goodbye to an elderly or chronically ill pet. In both cases, the clients value the treatment and care given at our clinics. Some seek out ways to recognize their pets and the clinicians who treated them through providing gifts to MSU-CVM.

It’s often meaningful for clients to know that their

gifts to the college impact the care provided to other pets.

Whether it is an addition to the client waiting room that makes our guests’ visits more comfortable, a scholarship for a specific type of specialty, or funds to purchase new treatment technology—that gift, no matter the size, makes an impact.

And it also helps create a legacy for that pet and its family.

We want to honor you, your pets, and your area of

interest. Our family members sustain our level of care and keep us inspired. Please do not hesitate to contact us about how we can work with you to recognize your experience here while also supporting our mission to advance animal care through excellence in learning and service.

Thank you for trusting us and for being a part of

our family.

Jimmy Kight CVM Director of Development

14 | EARNING RES P E C T B Y E X C EE D ING E X P E C T A T IONS

When families bring their pets to the MSU-CVM Animal Health Center or its affiliates for treatment, they become a part of the CVM family. Providing compassionate and innovative veterinary care is the priority, and getting to know clients personally is the bonus.

Bruce and Julie Martin are long-time Mississippi State Bulldog fans, supporters, and grateful clients. Bruce, a 1977 MSU College of Business graduate, is president of Meyer and Rosenbaum Inc. in Meridian.

The Martins became CVM family members in 2007 when their 3-year-old bulldog, Sylvester Croom, had

a seizure. Sylvester, also lovingly nicknamed “The Big Cheese,” was referred to the CVM by his veterinarian in Meridian.

“Our veterinarian did a wonderful job taking care of Sylvester, but we knew that we wanted to go to MSU to make sure that he would be fine,” Bruce said. “Mississippi State is great at everything it does, and if anyone understand bulldogs, MSU does. We knew that Sylvester would get the best care possible.”

Sylvester was treated by MSU-CVM’s team of experts and students, and released with a clean bill of health.

“The CVM did a fantastic job taking care of Sylvester.

He eventually suffered from joint problems and breathing difficulty, common with bulldogs, but he lived a happy life,” Bruce said. “He lived to be almost 10 years old. Julie and I are convinced that, without the vet school, Sylvester wouldn’t have lived beyond age 3. We had so many more years with Sylvester than we expected, and it’s due to the compassionate people and treatment he received from our CVM family.”

The Martins added Ester Bell, a registered English bulldog and littermate to Jak (MSU’s current Bully XXI) to the family in November 2014. Ester’s name was picked in part because the letters “ester” are included in the name “Sylvester.” Sylvester’s legacy lives on through Ester.

“Ester Bell is my best friend, partner in crime, and sleeping beauty. She’s the queen!”

Julie said.

The Martins’ family friend, Tommy Nusz, a 1982 Bagley College of Engineering graduate, has made significant gifts to MSU, including the establishment of the Terri Nusz Endowed Equine Professorship.

He also gave Ester her favorite chew toy—a small black bear resembling the University of Mississippi’s mascot.

“When it’s time for Ester Bell to come inside, we ring our cowbell, and she knows that

it’s time to come in,” Julie said.

“One day, I rang the bell, and she didn’t come in like usual.

I looked for her, and I caught her having the greatest time shaking her bear. As soon as I found her, she stopped and stared at me. It was a funny moment!”

The Martins bring Ester Bell for boarding at the CVM frequently when they are in Starkville.

“When you love your animals, it’s nice to have a place like MSU-CVM where you know your pets will be loved the same way that you love them,” Bruce said. “We refer anyone and their brother to the CVM!”

The Martin family is a significant branch on the CVM family tree, as are all other clients. To learn more about the services and care offered

by MSU-CVM, visit www.cvm. msstate.edu.

When you love your animals, it’s nice to have a place like MSU-CVM where you know your pets will be loved the same way that you love them.

Bruce Martin

By Melissa Montgomery

Support MSU-CVM There are a number of ways to support the CVM’s efforts. You may want to consider making an annual gift or creating an endowment.

Annual gifts are crucial to the CVM because they provide ongoing support for the College, individual departments, research programs, academic programs, and student support services. Your annual contributions provide critical assistance and ensure that we maintain quality programs and a high level of excellence. Your gift can be designated to support any of the CVM’s needs and can be used immediately to make a difference.

Endowments to the CVM help to provide a resource for generations to come. Your contribution is held in perpetuity, the principal is invested, and only the income from the investment is spent, allowing your legacy to continue for years. Endowments may be named for the donor or in honor of another person of the donor’s choosing.

For more information on annual and endowed funds and how to become involved in efforts at the CVM, please contact the Office of Development staff.

Make a Donation!

Jimmy Kight | CVM Director of Development

(662) 325-5893 | jkight@foundation.msstate.edu

Melissa Montgomery | Advancement Coordinator (662) 325-5170 | mmontgomery@cvm.msstate.edu

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Thank you,

$ 7.56 million

F r i e n d s,

dollars raised

for supporting our college!

52

scholarships

$ 9 million

$ 387,000

Totaling $156,696

Endowments (Total Principal)

Average Major Gift Amount

in FY 2015

26

55

planned gifts Totaling $ 37.5 Million

Endowments (7 new in 2014–15)

38

8 new in FY 2015

Endowed SchoLarships

2

Endowed chairs

2

endowed professorships

13 grateful client, facility update,

& program support endowments

Student Wins

CVM student Steven Hutter of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was selected as the 2015 Bayer Excellence in Communication Award winner for Mississippi State University.

“Bayer’s viewpoint that effective communication is a key to success in the veterinary profession is a sentiment shared by the MSU-CVM faculty,” said Dean Kent Hoblet. “We are proud that Steven’s submission proved how instrumental good communication is to veterinary medicine. We believe Steven and our other students will continue to develop this skill, ultimately benefiting animal health.”

Hoblet said communication in veterinary medicine is crucial, as it helps clinicians establish good client relationships, helps pet owners understand how to administer medications and comply with treatment plans, and demonstrates the true value of veterinary care visits.

Hutter, who will graduate with his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 2016 and continue at the college to earn his PhD, demonstrated competence in all of these areas to win the 2015 award.

The competition challenged students to submit a filmed interview between the veterinary student and a client in a clinical setting. Twenty-seven veterinary schools participated in the 2015 competition, which awarded a total of $70,000 in scholarships.

A panel of faculty judges at each veterinary school evaluated entries and selected one winner using a scorecard developed by nationally renowned veterinary faculty who specialize in communication. The winners each received a $2,500 scholarship.

Hutter and his classmates learn appropriate client communication skills during the Community Veterinary Services rotation, which provides 3rd- and 4th-year DVM students private practice experience.

BAYER Communication Award

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This rotation equips students with the skills required to excel within a high-quality small animal private practice.

Sponsored by Bayer HealthCare LLC Animal Health for the third consecutive year, the award program was established to recognize effective communication in the veterinary profession and to reward veterinary students who are mastering this critical core skill.

The Bayer Excellence in Communication Award is one facet of a larger initiative aimed at advancing the communication skills of the next generation of veterinarians. In 2002, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health partnered with the Institute for Healthcare Communication to establish the Bayer Communication Project. The partnership offers communication skills training modules to colleges of veterinary medicine for incorporation into their curriculum.

Selected faculty from all U.S. veterinary colleges have been trained in the Bayer Communication Project “Train the Trainer” program.

By Karen Templeton

New Faculty Rose

Woolums

Brookshire

Research

Day Dr. Heidi Huffman Rose joined the Pathobiology and Population Medicine faculty as an assistant clinical professor June 1. She is a veterinary anatomic pathologist at the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in Pearl.

She previously was toxicology section head and veterinary diagnostic specialist at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn. She also was an affiliate instructor in the Department of Pathobiology at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Rose earned a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in animal and dairy science in 2001, a DVM in 2004, and a master’s in veterinary medical science in 2008, all from MSU. She completed an anatomic pathology residency at MSU-CVM in 2008.

Dr. Amelia Raye Woolums joined the Pathobiology and Population Medicine faculty as a food animal medicine professor July 1.

She came to MSU from the University of Georgia, where she was a professor in the Department of Large Animal Medicine.

Woolums earned a DVM from Purdue University in 1988 and a PhD in comparative pathology from the University of California, Davis in 1998.

She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Williams

Dr. W. Cooper Brookshire joined the Clinical Sciences faculty July 16 as a clinical instructor with the Shelter Medicine Program.

Brookshire previously was an associate veterinarian with Forest Hill Animal Hospital in Germantown, Tennessee.

He earned a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in animal and dairy science in 2007 and a DVM in 2010, both from MSU. He completed an Animal Health Research and Health Promotion Elite Module in 2010 at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

Research Day speaker Dr. Julie Funk, associate dean for academic programs and student affairs at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, presented “One Health: From Pigs to People.”

1. Summer Research Fellow Oral Presentation 1st Mary Elizabeth (Emme) Andrews 2nd Courtney Griffin 3rd Pearce Sloan

2. Graduate Student Oral Presentation 1st Stephen Reichley 2nd Preeti Muire 3rd Liesel Schneider

seitz

3. Graduate Student Poster Presentation 1st 2nd

3rd

Anberitha Matthews Sherry Blackmon Claire Fellman Kaitlyn Waters

1

Johnson

Dr. Lane Johnson became an assistant professor in the Clinical Sciences department August 1. She is a veterinary anesthesiologist in the CVM Animal Health Center.

Johnson completed a residency in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 and a small animal rotating internship at Texas A&M University in 2012.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering in 2006 and a DVM in 2011, both from MSU.

Offers Rewards and Inspiration

Dr. Matthew L. Williams joined the Pathobiology and Population Medicine faculty as an assistant clinical professor August 16. He is a veterinary clinical pathologist.

Before coming to MSU, Williams was a veterinary clinical pathologist with Williams Veterinary Diagnostics in Vero Beach, Florida, and with Antech Diagnostics in Winter Park, Florida.

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1996 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a DVM in 2001 from Tuskegee University. He completed a veterinary clinical pathology residency at Colorado State University in 2007.

He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

Dr. Marc Seitz became an assistant clinical professor in the Clinical Sciences department September 1. He is an emergency and critical care veterinarian in the CVM Animal Health Center.

He previously was a staff emergency clinician with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he was a member of the hospital advisory board, a member of the pet loss and bereavement team, and codirector of the internship program.

Seitz earned a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in biochemistry (minor in animal science) in 2003 and a DVM in 2007, both from MSU. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners–Canine and Feline Practice.

2

3

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i n m Alu d n e k Wee Dr. Andy Shores provides alumni and their families a tour of the Veterinary Specialty Center.

Members of the Class of 2005 enjoy a brunch reunion at the home of Dr. Alicia Olivier.

Class of 2005 alumni Drs. Rachel Sparke (left) and Alicia Olivier show off their 10-year reunion shirts.

Alumni gather for a mix-and-mingle at Harvey’s in Starkville.

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Alumni learn more about the services provided at the Veterinary Specialty Center.

The Human-Animal Bond: From Mississippi to the Nation’s CapITal

What started as a program to train prisoners to care for animals has turned into a major educational program using the human-animal bond to improve the lives of those living in underserved communities in the Washington, D.C., area. And this summer, an MSU-CVM student became a part of that effort.

Throughout his veterinary career, Dr. Earl Strimple, a DVM graduate of The Ohio State University, witnessed the bond between animals and humans and saw the benefits it provided.

“An article in the Washington Post described how inmates at the Lorton Reformatory ‘only ate, slept, and played cards,’” Strimple said. “I was caring for feral cats in that same area and so was approached by the warden about training inmates to care for animals.”

Strimple began working in the facility, and inmates were trained through the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician course to be eligible for jobs at the many animal research facilities in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Strimple noticed the inmates becoming incredibly compassionate and empathetic, showing love for the animals. The human-animal bond was clearly making a difference in their lives.

“One of the incarcerated men told me he thought something like this might help his children back home in D.C. to avoid some of the mistakes he had made,” Strimple said.

In response, Strimple developed People Animals Love (PAL) Club. Strimple and his team began offering a human-animal bond curriculum to children in a Northeast D.C. housing project before moving to the D.C. Scholars Stanton Elementary School in Anacostia 7 years ago. The program offers yearround afterschool and summer enrichment activities to lowerincome children living in Southeast D.C.

Strimple visited MSU-CVM in the late spring and wanted to involve the college in the PAL program. Fourth-year DVM student Brittany Moore-Henderson was selected to participate in the program in summer 2015.

As an undergraduate freshman, Moore-Henderson of Pickens, in the Mississippi Delta, participated in Michigan State University’s 7-week Enrichment Summer Program.

This program for undergraduate students focuses on developing well-qualified prospective veterinary students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Moore-Henderson excelled in the program and in her undergraduate studies, earning her a spot in the CVM Class of 2016. While at the college, she developed VetAspire, a program

that introduces rural Mississippi high-schoolers from underserved communities to veterinary medicine. Her background and motivation made her a perfect fit for an experience in Washington, D.C., with the PAL Club.

Moore-Henderson was tasked with teaching kindergarten through 5th-grade science, including animal science. She was also paired with a high school senior through the Urban Alliance and helped prepare the student for college.

“I saw a lot of myself in the kids in the program. It reminded me of where I come from and why it is so important to give back and try to make a difference in any way that you can,” she said. “All of the kids kept me on my feet, and I really enjoyed them.”

She found that the PAL program provides a doorway to helping children understand and benefit from the humananimal bond, but also serves as a conduit to the world of veterinary medicine.

“The majority of the kids had no idea what a veterinarian was,” she said. “Through this program, they are getting some excellent exposure. I hope that they remember the things they learn and, as they mature, eventually even consider veterinary medicine as a career path.”

Strimple said his team was impressed with MooreHenderson and her commitment.

“Brittany is so well liked and respected because of her sincerity, work ethic, and positive attitude,” he said. “MSU-CVM has done a wonderful job in enabling Brittany to find her role in the educational process and expand upon it.”

Moore-Henderson is a student leader, most recently as president of the national organization Veterinarians as One in Culture and Ethnicity. She strives to be a good clinician and to make an impact in the field of veterinary medicine.

“I like being involved in addressing and increasing diversity in veterinary medicine,” she said. “I hope I can serve as a role model and mentor to any student who needs that because I truly know how important it is to have individuals like that in our lives.”

By Karen Templeton

PHOTO: Brittany Moore-Henderson taught animal science to D.C.-area children as part of the People Animals Love program.

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& Awarded to CVM Faculty

External Grants Linda A. Detwiler (PI). USDA APHIS. National public veterinary careers internship/externship program 2015–16. $100,000

Mark L. Lawrence (PI) and Jeffrey B. Eells (co-PI). National Institutes of Health

Jacquelyn E. Bowser (PI) and Cyprianna E. Swiderski (co-PI). Morris Animal Foundation (MSU-RTC). Intravenous magnesium sulfate as a rescue therapeutic for bronchoconstriction. $10,000

Aquaculture Center (SRAC). Studies to improve the control of virulent Aeromonas hydrophila and evaluate the impact of environmental factors on its abundance in catfish aquaculture ponds. $54,290

Kimberly A. Woodruff (PI); Uri B. Donnett and David R. Smith (coPIs). Morris Animal Foundation (MAF).

A comparison of the reduction in coccidia oocyst burden using toltazuril or ponazuril in shelter-housed cats. $5,000

Janice E. Chambers (PI); Russell L. Carr and Howard W. Chambers (coPIs). National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Brain-penetrating acetylcholinesterase reactivators for several organophosphates (year 2 funds). $714,669

Mark L. Lawrence (PI); Attila Karsi and Frank Austin (co-PIs). USDA-ARS. A

Keun Seok Seo (PI). MSU Research and

Attila Karsi (PI) and Mark L. Lawrence (co-PI). USDA-ARS. Identification of genes involved in Listeria monocytogenes attachment to catfish fillets. $40,000

Alison M. Plumley (PI) and Jennifer M. Gambino (co-PI). American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR). Comparison of single- and multi-voxel 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and varying gadolinium chelated contrast doses in the normal canine brain at 3 tesla. $7,500

Robert W. Wills (PI). University of Minnesota. Systems approach to identifying targeted interventions for minimizing antibiotic resistance in the poultry production system. $213,011

20

19

Class of

Twenty nineteen

Agricultural Service (FAS). 2015 U.S.-China scientific cooperation exchange program. $11,400

Matthew Griffin (PI). Southern Regional

(NIH). Summer research experience for veterinary students 2015 (year 4 funds). $65,902

novel hydrolase biomarker for virulent Listeria monocytogenes. $50,000

David R. Smith (PI); Margaret L. Khaitsa, Robert W. Wills, and Xiufeng (Henry) Wan (co-PIs). USDA Foreign

Technology Corporation (Animal Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency, South Korea). Evaluation of safety and efficacy of Staphylococcus aureus avirulent enterotoxins and cytotoxins recombinant vaccine in cattle (year 1 funds). $87,075

Xiufeng (Henry) Wan (PI). USDA APHIS. Potential for avian H3N2 influenza to cause a mixed infection in feral swine. $125,400 David R. Smith (PI). Kansas State University (prime sponsor USDA-NIFA).

Development of Collaborative, Online, Novel, Science-based, User-friendly Learning Tools (CONSULT) for beef cattle producers and advisors. $20,508

Anberitha T. Matthews (PI). National Institutes of Health (NIH). Role of endocannabinoids in atherosclerosis (year 2 funds). $18,895

Mark L. Lawrence (PI); Sherman W. Jack, Wes A. Baumgartner, Larry A. Hanson, Lora Petrie-Hanson, and Peter J. Allen (co-PIs). Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries–Republic of Indonesia.

Aquatic animal health training. $5,000

Mark L. Lawrence (PI); Lora PetrieHanson and Wes A. Baumgartner (co-PIs). Berezan Management Ltd. Shrimp health management plan. $2,994

Internal Grants Robin Fontenot (PI). MSU. Veterinary summer research. $1,500 Lora Petrie-Hanson (PI). MSU CVM ORGS. Do natural killer cells from vaccinated fry demonstrate enhanced killing of bacterial targets? (year 2 funds). $5,000

Lesya M. Pinchuk (PI) and Attila Karsi (co-PI). MSU CVM ORGS. Innate immune responses of catfish antigen presenting cells to live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccines (year 2 funds). $5,000

Attila Karsi (PI). MSU CVM ORGS. Development of live attenuated vaccines for prevention of enteric septicemia of catfish (year 2 funds). $5,000 Lesya M. Pinchuk (PI); Attila Karsi and Wes Baumgartner (co-PIs). MSU CVM ORGS. Identification of antigen presenting cells with dendritic morphology in channel catfish lymphoid tissues. $10,000

Katrina disaster fund

Continues Helping Animals

In the hours immediately following Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, a team of MSU veterinarians specially trained to work with animals in disaster situations arrived at the state’s designated animal disaster relief shelter in Jackson.

While the Mississippi Animal Response Team’s immediate focus was to assist the Mississippi Board of Animal Health with assessing and managing the growing number of displaced animals, they also had other duties.

“The first thing we did was set up a temporary veterinary clinic for the dogs, cats, birds, pigs, goats, and other domestic animals that were arriving,” said Dr. Carla Huston, an MSUCVM associate professor and a member of the Mississippi Animal Response Team. “We also provided veterinary oversight at state shelters in both Jackson and Hattiesburg, assisted with animal and agricultural needs assessments in areas devastated by the storm, delivered supplies, and helped organize and credential volunteer veterinarians and technicians. Another part of our duties was to document monetary donations made to the state for the care of these animals.”

And there were a lot—so many that the college, the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, and the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association established the Mississippi Animal Disaster Relief Fund.

In 2005, the fund provided money to help with boarding costs and medical care for animals injured in the storm. It also bought supplies, such as feed, temporary fencing, buckets, and water troughs, for families with animals whose property was damaged.

The fund became a permanent account in 2006 and continues to meet the needs of Mississippians and their animals affected by floods, droughts, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, said Huston, who serves as co-chair of the MADRF committee with Mississippi’s state veterinarian Dr. Jim Watson.

“We had a lot of donations from livestock and pet groups and continued to get donations even after Katrina needs had been met,” Watson said. “So we decided to make the fund permanent to help people with animals that are affected by all types of disasters in the state.”

The fund committee, which includes private and public veterinary professionals, has distributed more than $50,000 since 2006. This provided care for 618 individual animals and several livestock herds, emergency pet sheltering equipment for humane societies, and a training session for the Mississippi Animal Response Team and workers at humane societies that house animals during disasters.

While most of the funds have been used to help individuals offset the expenses of treating an injured pet impacted by a disaster

or boarding a pet when they are displaced from their homes, money from the fund can go to any disasterrelated need.

“The fund has been a good thing and very needed,” Huston said. “Our basic goal is to help local communities protect animal health and welfare in the event of a disaster. This means funds also can be awarded to support local veterinary business continuity, prepare for animal care and sheltering, stockpile supplies, provide for emergency hay and feed needs, and train emergency responders.”

Dr. Corey Jones received funds to help with expenses incurred by boarding dogs and cats at his Yazoo City veterinary clinic after floodwaters displaced the family pets in 2012. At the height of the disaster, Jones and his staff cared for an additional 90 animals, which required a separate boarding area and more supplies and labor than was needed for day-to-day clinic business.

“I had just bought this practice when the flooding occurred,” Jones said. “The number of animals we boarded required me to hire extra help to feed and walk the animals and buy extra pet food and medical supplies. Many of the animals stayed for 2 to 3 months before they could return home. It was a hefty expense bill for a new clinic.

“The money I received through the Mississippi Animal Disaster Relief Fund helped me tremendously. It didn’t take care of everything, but it helped. I very much appreciate it,” Jones said.

The MADRF is a nonprofit entity that is funded completely by private donations. Individual Mississippi residents, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, farm entities, and state agencies that support emergency functions related to animals, agriculture, and natural resources are eligible to apply for funds. These funds can be used for veterinary care and boarding of animals, feed, repair of infrastructure, pet-related supplies, and emergency responder training.

“We are always grateful for donations and accept them anytime,” Huston said. “Donations usually come in after a large disaster has occurred because disaster relief is not something people think about in their day-to-day lives. But funds are needed year-round.”

For more information on MADRF and details about how to make donations and apply for funds, visit http://bit.ly/1Hb0mJW.

By Susan Collins-Smith

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Alumni P r o f i l e

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m 35 years old and originally from Memphis, Tennessee. I came to MSU in 2001 to pursue my undergraduate degree. I earned a bachelor of science in Animal and Dairy Sciences in 2004, and I started veterinary school in the fall of 2004.

What or who inspired you to become a veterinarian?

I don’t think there was really any one person that inspired me to become a veterinarian. I had horses most of my life, and it seemed like a natural transition to consider veterinary school.

I thought I wanted to be an equine surgeon initially, but I realized going through clinics that small animal surgery was a better fit.

Tell us about some of your favorite experiences at MSUCVM as a student.

There are too many to tell. I met some good people and made some great friends. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at MSU.

You graduated in 2008.

Where has life taken you since graduation?

I matched at Auburn for a rotating internship after graduation. I was lucky to match there again for a surgery residency. I have been married for 9 years to Emily. We have two boys, ages 7 and 3.

22 | EARNING RES P E C T B Y E X C EE D ING E X P E C T A T IONS

Getting to know our alumni better, one question at a time.

Name

Graduation Year

Dr. Brad Matz

20 08

What are you up to these days in the field of veterinary medicine?

After my surgical residency, an amazing opportunity came up to stay at Auburn and start a surgical oncology fellowship with Dr. Ralph Henderson.

After successfully completing ACVS boards, I became an ACVS Fellow of Surgical Oncology. I am now a surgical oncologist/soft tissue surgeon on the faculty at Auburn University.

Do you have any advice for new MSU-CVM alumni?

MSU is a quality educational experience.

Having been at other universities, I can safely say that MSU students are extremely well positioned for whichever career path they choose. It’s been said before, but the DVM is really an amazing degree that can open a lot of doors.

Keep an open mind. There are lots of opportunities out there.

CVM Notes & News Alumni News • Dr. Brigid Elchos’ (DVM 99) graphite and colored pencil portrait of “Tiger Lily” was featured as the cover art for the June 15, 2015, issue of JAVMA. Her inspiration was a photo that Tom Thompson, MSU-CVM coordinator of photographic services, took of his cat, Tiger Lily. Elchos is currently the deputy state veterinarian for the Mississippi Board of Animal Health and an adjunct professor at MSU-CVM. • Dr. Stacey Randall (DVM 98) of Bienville Animal Medical Center in Ocean Springs was a top 20 finalist for AVMA’s America’s Favorite Veterinarian competition. The 20 finalists were selected from 500 nominees. The judging committee was comprised of animal health industry and association leaders as well as bloggers. Nominees were evaluated on their community involvement, ethical behavior, passion for the profession, and connections to pets and their owners.

• Dr. Claire Fellman (DVM 11), a CVM small animal internal medicine resident, was awarded a Resident Research Award at the 2015 ACVIM forum for “Effects of aspirin and cyclosporine on canine t-Cell cytokines and regulatory t-Cells.”

Faculty & Staff News • Dr. Larry Hanson of the Basic Sciences department was recently appointed to serve on the AVMA Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Committee.

• Dr. Todd Archer (DVM 06), Clinical Sciences assistant professor, is serving as president of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association.

• Dr. Ron McLaughlin, CVM professor and associate dean for administration, was selected as a 2015–16 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program Fellow.

Calendar of events

Marriages • Dr. Adam P. Patterson (DVM 01), chief of dermatology at Texas A&M University, married Dr. Carly Duff in Naperville, Illinois, on August 1, 2015.

They reside in College Station, Texas.

Fall 2015

Births • Dr. Kathy Baker (DVM 03) had her second child, Loch Andrew Baker, on June 3, 2015, in Smyrna, Georgia.

Her husband, DJ Baker, and 2-year-old sister Lily are excited about him, too!

January 18 Sunday

Obituary • Dr. Sam Adams (DVM 99) passed away July 30, 2015. Adams owned Creekside Animal Hospital in Cumming, Georgia, and was held dear by his clients and their pets. Adams left a lasting impression on everyone he came in contact with and was a faithful steward to clients, animals, and always to those whom he loved. Before opening Creekside Animal Hospital, Adams worked at Orr Animal Hospital.

• Dr. Claire Fellman, Clinical Sciences resident, is a new diplomate of the American College of Internal Medicine.

SCAVMA members will host MSU-CVM tailgates beginning approximately 2 hours before kickoff at MSU home football games. We invite you to come by and visit with students, alumni, and colleagues.

Reminders will be emailed to alumni and friends and posted on our Facebook page.

Alumni Reception at North American Veterinary Conference Orlando | 7 p.m.

Orlando World Center Marriott Contact (662) 325-1131

February TBD

Alumnus of the Year Recognition Program MSU-CVM Contact (662) 325-0465 or katie.timmerman@msstate.edu

February 16–20 Tuesday–Saturday

Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association Winter Meeting Starkville The Mill Conference Center Contact (662) 323-5057

March 7 Monday

Note to CVM Alumni This is your section of the magazine, and we need your assistance in gathering information to be disseminated through this column. If you would like to share news of marriages, births, deaths, awards, new positions, or anything else you consider newsworthy, please let us know.

Send your news to Katie Timmerman: Box 6100, Mississippi State, MS 39762 | katie.timmerman@msstate.edu

Alumni Reception at Western Veterinary Medical Conference Las Vegas | 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Contact (662) 325-1131

April 1 & 2 Friday & Saturday

CVM Annual Open House MSU-CVM Contact (662) 325-0465 or katie.timmerman@msstate.edu

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Post Office Box 6100 Mississippi State, MS 39762

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