Oklahoma City Zoo animals enjoy icy treats
I say the hogs are the winners in the cuteness category.
OSU Veterinary Center workers honored for inventions
Here’s some exciting info about two animal folks honored for their work diseases:
The Oklahoma State University Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recognized 23 inductees during its inaugural induction ceremony earlier this month. Among those honored were Drs. Sahlu Ayalew and Katherine Kocan of OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
Sahlu Ayalew, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, is part of a Veterinary Pathobiology team that studies Mannheimia haemolytica, a bacterium that is one of the causative agents of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The team’s goal is to develop protective vaccines against this bacterium. BRD costs the beef industry more than a billion dollars per year. The team’s research involves, identifying immunogenic proteins of M. haemolytica by immunoproteomic methods, mapping regions (epitopes) of candidate proteins and genetically engineering single vaccines (chimeric or multivalent vaccines) that contain immunodominant epitopes from several proteins. Over the past few years, the team has secured two U.S. patents and the work is ongoing.
Katherine Kocan, Ph.D., OSU Regents Professor, Walter Sitlington Endowed Chair in Food Animal Research and Fellow, Society for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, is known internationally for her work with ticks and tick-borne diseases. She leads a team that partnered with researchers at the University of Minnesota to develop a cell culture system (the first in vitro system of growing the pathogen outside of a tick or cow) for Anaplasma marginale (the organism that causes bovine anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease of cattle). The patent involves the method of growing the rickettsia, Anaplasma marginale, in cultured tick cells and for the use of antigens generated from this system in vaccine formulations.
According to the NAI’s information, the academy ‘supports the systematic application of organized knowledge and information that can generate technology and produce creative solutions to existing problems. Inventors are the discoverers and creators of these solutions and, as such, are key contributors to the advancement of technology.’
“OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is proud to have such forward thinking researchers,” says Dr. Jean Sander, dean of the veterinary center. “New technologies or inventions play a key role in the economic development of the world and the veterinary center’s researchers make an important contribution to that system.”
Humane Society points fingers at pork producers
The Humane Society of the United States alleges two Oklahoma pork producers of treating their animals inhumanely. Here’s a video about it. It’s pretty sad.
Another pig wearing rain boots
In the interest of full disclosure, I want to admit that I’m addicted to Pinterest. Addicted. Today I saw the best photo ever on Pinterest, and it reminded me of a post my pal Bryan Dean wrote a while ago. Pigs in boots. Does it get any more adorable? I doubt it.
Horse + pup = adorable!
Horses available at Pauls Valley adoption center
When you’re driving along Interstate 35 near Pauls Valley, take a peek at the horse heard on the western side of the highway. Those are all animals pulled off the Western plains and offered for adoption. The wild horse adoption center in Pauls Valley is hosting an adoption event tomorrow. Here’s a quick video or you can read the full story here.
Pets in the paper – mother goose!
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Horses killed and injured in wreck had proper papers. (Oklahoma City)
- Mother goose hatches excitement. (photos, Norman)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
11 horses dead after I-35-Turner Turnpike crash
Read the story here. The dead horses are in the median for now.
Pets in the paper – Mr. Ed’s joint doctor
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Animal chiropractor helps from head to tail. (Oklahoma City)
- For many students, it’s a zoo out there. (Oklahoma City)
- Metro students work alongside zoo experts. (Oklahoma City, Edmond)
- Lead sickens rare baby bird. (California)
- Wild fishing industries exploring strategies. (Gulf of Mexico)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Workers rescue animals from Nashville flood
ASPCA workers help rescue a chicken saved from flooding in Nashville, Tenn.
As Nashville residents bail out of a massive flood, volunteers and animal workers are trying to help save the animals that were also affected. Here’s information the ASPCA sent out about their work:
The ASPCA ® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ® ), under the authority and request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society in Dyersburg, Tenn., has dispatched its field investigations and response team to assist in the recovery and sheltering of animals displaced by recent flooding.
ASPCA responders arrived Tuesday afternoon and are helping care for more than 70 companion animals, including dogs, cats and various birds that were rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes in the Dyersburg city limits, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis. The ASPCA has established a temporary shelter behind the humane society to handle the overflow of animals, and set up a decontamination station where animals affected by the flooding are washed and cleaned. In addition, the ASPCA provided extra cages, bowls, food industrial fans, and other necessary supplies to help care for animals.
“Our city has been declared a disaster area and many neighborhoods have been evacuated,” said Dr. Carol Feather, president and co-founder of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, which services all of Dyer County, Dyersburg and Newbern. “We’re grateful for the ASPCA’s assistance, and to our own staff and volunteers, all of whom have been working non-stop to help animals that are abandoned or lost. We want to save all the animals we can–that’s our job.”
The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society’s animal control officers have been navigating some areas in a small motor boat to access abandoned pets. Most of the 70-plus pets received so far are owned and were removed from homes at the request of owners who were forced to evacuate. They will be housed at the humane society until they are claimed, according to Dr. Feather. Residents wishing to contact the humane society may call (731) 285-4889 or visit in person at 1120 E. Court Street, Dyersburg, 38024. Volunteers high school age and over who are interested in caring for animals at the shelter may also contact the humane society.
Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s Director of Disaster Response, said the temporary shelter has “helped ease the strain on the already full humane society.” She added, “The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and its staff and volunteers have been extremely dedicated toward the pets in their community during this life-threatening event. The ASPCA will continue to provide supplies, support and manage the temporary shelter and decontamination area, an important component in this operation, as long as we’re needed.”
According to Dr. Feather, all incoming animals are given a physical exam, and if veterinary records cannot be located, they are being vaccinated as a precaution. “A few pets have already been claimed, but the rest we will be holding onto until their families get situated,” she said. “In most instances, even if they have identification, we’re not yet able to reach their owners because they’ve had to evacuate.” Dr. Feather added that the Humane Society is not charging owners for boarding or vaccinations.
In addition to the ASPCA, local businesses assisting Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society include Hollywood Feed, which provided cages, and Pet Stop, which relieved the organization of some of its adoptable pets so room could be made for incoming animals.
“We are making sure that the animals’ immediate needs are being met, and that they receive appropriate care,” said the ASPCA’s Cardona. “The ASPCA is glad to be in a position to provide relief.”
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
