Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -

• Oklahoma City hunter gets 180-pound deer at Arcadia Lake. (Arcadia)
• Pooches get ready to put their best paws forward. (Oklahoma City, page 17a)

Not much for the first day back. Maybe tomorrow!

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

When the Payne County Sheriff’s office called the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences on Thursday, Sept. 17, and asked if they could help with approximately 80 dogs and cats rescued from a rural home, faculty, staff and students stepped up to help.

“The Sheriff’s Department alerted us that the animals were coming,” stated Dr. Michael Lorenz, professor and dean of the veterinary center. “We called in veterinary technicians, students and eight veterinarians who were not on call. The animals arrived in the late evening.”

“I was on the phone with one of the ICU technicians and when I heard what was going on, I came in to help,” said Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia).

Because the animals are the subject of legal action and serve as evidence, the intake process included identifying and photographing each animal. Detailed records were maintained for medical and legal purposes.

“We had eight teams each comprised of students/veterinary technicians and one faculty veterinarian,” added Hudson.

“The animals were abused, neglected and poorly nourished,” said Dr. Mark Neer, director of the veterinary center’s Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “While they can’t be adopted until legally released, the plan was to put them in foster care.”

All animals were treated for internal and external parasites including sarcoptic mange, which is a type of mange caused by mites burrowing in the skin especially of the head and face. All adult dogs received Rabies vaccinations and puppies were vaccinated for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza.

“It was absolutely amazing to see everyone swing into action,” stated Dr. Jill Brunker, Small Animal Internal Medicine. “People were assigned to a station and we rotated the animals through receiving, triage and treatment. Interns, residents, technicians and fourth year veterinary students worked with one common goal—help these mistreated animals.”

“We were able to do something on a large scale to help the animals and the community,” said Dr. Todd Yeagley, Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery Intern. “It was sad to see so many dogs that had suffered such horrible abuse.”
According to Hudson within two hours 80 animals had been examined.

“We were careful to do everything right so that the Sheriff’s Department would have what they needed. Even after all the dogs had been processed, the students recognized that the dogs needed to be bathed to help make them more comfortable and then we still needed to clean up to get ready for the next day, so they stayed,” continued Hudson.

“The students and staff worked until the wee hours of the morning,” added Lorenz. “Oklahomans can be extremely proud of the veterinary team. Despite the horrific scene, the group performed at a high professional level. I am very proud of their dedication and competence.”

“Dr. Neer and everyone at the veterinary hospital could not have been any kinder to the animals or been more hospitable to the people who came to foster them,” stated Garry McKinnis, Payne County Undersheriff. “I have 18 of them at my house. My wife and I took four female Dachshunds and their puppies. We wanted to be sure they received the right care until they are able to be adopted.”

Some of the dogs had to be soaked to loosen the debris matted in their hair and eventually were clipped. According to Brunker, a single dose of medicine usually cures the sarcoptic mange. The parasites should be gone in a few weeks followed by treatments at regular intervals.

“I have seen dogs like that before but one at a time,” said Brandy Kastl, fourth year veterinary student from Sapulpa, Okla. “Never so many at once—it was overwhelming.”

“It was pretty sad, especially the high number of dogs involved,” continued Matt Stone of Springfield, Ill., also a fourth year veterinary student. “We were happy to help the animals.”

“That’s what we do,” added Kastl.

Authorities at the veterinary center report that all dogs and cats involved in the rescue have been placed in foster care as of Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, 2009.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Pit bull is “People’s Hero” for taking burglar’s shots. (Oklahoma City)
• What’s new at the zoo? (Oklahoma City, page 16a, Saturday)
• Pet policies revisited. (nationwide, page 1b, Saturday)
• Southwest Airlines to add new fees for pets, unaccompanied minors. (nationwide)
• Redemption and Michael Vick. (NewsOK Religion and Values blog)
• Summer break can cut adoption of pets. (Stillwater, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Muskogee)
• Dog owner stabs worker. (Oklahoma City)
• Head to the bat cave. (Freedom)
• National Geographic hosting photo contest. (nationwide)
• Use caution to prevent dog bites. (nationwide)
• Reptile study keeps Tinker on track. (Midwest City)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Berry Tramel: Give Vick another chance.
• Butterflies spread their wings at zoo. (Oklahoma City)
• Animal adoption event set. (Midwest City, page 2d)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Fish kill said to be natural. (Woodward)
• Cattle drive honors late announcer. (Claremore)
• Couple plan appeal of horse decision. (Coweta)
• Milk glut squeezes farmers, buyers. (Missouri)
• Livestock tracing plan is not a hit with some. (Washington)
• Free fishing at lakes June 6-7. (Oklahoma City)
• Fun for kids at Bass Pro. (Oklahoma City)
• Dog training classes set. (Oklahoma City, Tuesday, page 1d)
• Partial welcome given mutts in AKC contests. (Texas)
• Home notes: Mind your wild neighbors.
• Zoo’s rhino getting used to new digs. (Oklahoma City, photo shown here)
• Dog event scheduled. (Oklahoma City)
• Junior zookeepers preparing to learn. (Norman)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Former Vick dog finds new life here. Fighting still a problem in some areas, experts say. (statewide, photos below)
• Training pups to help people is no easy task. (Oklahoma City)
• Kids can ride in style. (Yukon, page 1d)
• Zookeeper camp offers hands-on fun. (Norman)
• Pet Tales: Mischievous dog a real Diamond. (El Reno)
• Know when pet needs prompt vet care. (nationwide)
• Big catch reels in funds for the MDA. (Lake Thunderbird, page 3d)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Puppy mill proposal stalled by Senate committee. (state capitol) (Read more about the puppy mill bill here.)
• Primate skeleton may tell old tale. (New York)
• Pet costs can be burden, surprise in hard times. (local column)
• Critters in the classroom. (photos below)

And read this story now on NewsOK.com:

• Michael Vick leaves Kansas prison for home confinement in Virginia. (Read more coverage of Michael Vick on the Pet Show blog here.)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Horse rescue rides into cloudy future. (Ada)
• Changes brooding for state breeders. (statewide)
• Bill updates: Feral hogs. (state capitol)
• “Bug lady” has love-hate relationship with museum insects. (Norman)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Bulldogs are the eighth most popular breed of dog nationwide, according to the American Kennel Club. In Oklahoma City, they’re the 10th most popular breed.

Want your own bulldog? Consider a rescue! There are seven bulldog rescue groups in the country: Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network, Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, Lone Star Bulldog Club, MidAtlantic Bulldog Rescue, San Diego Bulldog Rescue, Southern California Bulldog Rescue and HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue. The closest rescue to Oklahoma is the Arlington chapter of the Lone Star Bulldog Club. Contact Bethany Scott at (817) 368-1209.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Pet bill may face changes. (state capitol)
• Despite ransom, no dog. (Oklahoma City)
• Agencies strive to increase shelters’ live release rates. (Oklahoma City)
• Pet Tales: Guinea pig has own wardrobe. (Choctaw) In case you couldn’t tell, that’s Daniel the guinea pig there on the right.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll