Help for Howie
Check out more about this special dog, Howie, and find out how you can help by clicking here.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
OSU helps save 80 dogs
Check out this heart-warming story out of Stillwater from folks at OSU:
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
Best cars to park your dog in
As we all know, getting your pet from the house to any other location can be a hassle.
For cat owners, the trouble is getting the cat from the house to the cat carrier. After that, it’s the hassle of listening to your cat scream about what an awful owner you are all the way to the vet.
For large dog owners, the trouble is making sure your dog doesn’t try to hang his head out the driver’s side window while you’re on the interstate. Or at least that’s the problem in my car with my dogs, even when my window is closed.
Well apparently some cars are safer for pups than others. Bark Buckle Up and Edmunds released their list of Top 10 Safest Cars. Here they are, listed alphabetically:
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Flex
- GMC Acadia
- Hyundai Tucson
- Jeep Liberty
- Kia Borrego
- Mazda 5 Grand Touring Minivan
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Subaru Tribeca
- Volvo XC70
The safest vehicle of all: the one carrying a well trained dog that stays in her seat.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
That’s one giant prosthetic
Motala the elephant lost her left front foot and most of her leg after stepping on a land mine in 1999 near the border of Thailand and Burma.
Now she is walking again thanks to a specially made prosthesis that is noticeably larger than your average artificial leg.
Apparently she’s still getting used the the prosthesis but is doing fine after it was permanently fitted to her during a procedure that required enough anesthetic to knock out 70 people. The 48-year-old Indian elephant is walking around but hasn’t put all her weight on the prosthesis yet.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
OSU student wins AKC award
The American Kennel Club sent out this press release. Kudos to our Oklahoma gal who won!
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today it has awarded scholarships to 25 students from 19 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited schools of veterinary medicine. Alicia Davis McLaughlin of Stillwater, Oklahoma was among the recipients.
Sponsors are broken down as follows:
Royal Canin – Chairman’s Award, President’s Award, and the Dr. Asa Mays Award – $10,000 each
AKC Companion Animal Recovery – Twenty (20) $5,000 scholarships
American Veterinary Medical Foundation – AVMF Award – $6,000
AKC Canine Health Foundation – Robert L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship – $5,000“We are thrilled to be able to present these scholarships for the upcoming school year, and thank our partners for their generous support,” said Debra Bonnefond, Director of Veterinary Outreach. “We wish these students the best of luck as they continue on the path to becoming some of the best veterinarians in the nation.”
The AKC Scholarship Program for Veterinary Medicine has existed for 18 years, and the awards are given annually. Each AVMA accredited U.S. veterinary school is asked to nominate four scholarship candidates. From these students, the recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, activities with purebred dogs or related research, and need.
“Royal Canin is dedicated to the health and well-being of dogs, so we are proud to join the American Kennel Club’s Veterinary Outreach program in honoring the people who will be charged with the care of our pets in the near future,” said Dr. Denise Elliott, Director of Scientific Affairs for Royal Canin. “We throw our whole-hearted support behind students who are dedicating their lives to veterinary medicine and wish them the best of luck.”
“As the largest national veterinarian-directed animal charity, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation is designed to benefit veterinary medicine and promote animal health and welfare. We are pleased to offer the AVMF Award for the first time this year, to a student dedicated to advancing canine medicine,” said Mike Cathey, Executive Director of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. “We believe that an important part of our mission is to foster the next generation of veterinary professionals, and help them make valuable contributions to animal health and medicine.”
“Named after our longtime director and founder, we are proud to award the third annual Robert L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship to an exceptional veterinary student,” said Erika Werne, Director of Education, Communications & Club Relations. “This scholarship is unique in that it supports students pursuing dual degrees in veterinary medicine and research, something we are proud to encourage because of the direct effect it has on our own organization.”
“AKC Companion Animal Recovery works closely with veterinarians across the country to identify pets with microchips to ensure that lost pets will be reunited with their owners,” said Tom Sharp, Vice President and CEO of AKC CAR. “We are happy to give back to the community by awarding scholarships to the next generation of vets that will play an integral part in responsible pet ownership.”
The 2009 Veterinary Scholarship Recipients are:
Dr. Asa Mays Award ($10,000.00) – Sponsored by Royal Canin:
Cynthia Willson 2011 – North Carolina State UniversityChairman’s Award ($10,000.00) – Sponsored by Royal Canin:
Kimberly Hitt 2012 – Mississippi State UniversityPresident’s Award ($10,000.00) – Sponsored by Royal Canin:
Joseph Esch 2012 – The Ohio State UniversityAVMF AWARD ($6,000.00) – Sponsored by AKC and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation:
Amanda Taylor 2010 – Texas A & M University
Robert L. Kelly Memorial Scholarship ($5,000.00) – Sponsored by AKC Canine Health Foundation:
Jill Schappa 2011 – University of Minnesota
AKC/CAR Award ($5,000.00) – Sponsored by AKC Companion Animal Recovery
Sarah Vitosh 2012 – Iowa State University
Christopher Potanas 2010 – Kansas State University
Jenna Giangarra 2012 – Kansas State University
Chad Malinak 2012 – Louisiana State University
Heather Grodi 2012 – Michigan State University
Karen Potter 2010 – Michigan State University
Adam King 2011 – North Carolina State
Alicia Davis McLaughlin 2011 – Oklahoma State University
Kari Gorman 2010 – Oregon State University
Kevin Simmons 2010 – Tuskegee University
Theresa Keating 2011 – University of California, Davis
Jenny Glei 2010 – University of Florida
Carole Amos 2010 – University of Georgia
Amelia DiMiceli 2010 – University of Minnesota
Dana Mosher 2012 – University of Pennsylvania
Julia Shih 2010 – University of Pennsylvania
Doris Ranivand 2013 – VA/MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Amanda Oedekoven 2010 – Washington State University
Christina Ramierez 2010 – Washington State University
Michael Gerber 2010 – Western University
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – grouse stick it to wind farms
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Helping dog can get you barked at. (Oklahoma City)
- Prairie grouse protections may threaten wind energy. (Texas)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Bi-County farm food recalled
U.S. marshals raided Bi-County Farm Bureau Cooperative Association in Kentucky because of filthy storage conditions. Yes, officials used the word filth. Yikes. Here’s a list of the products that are part of the recall. The Food and Drug Administration recommends people throw away any of these products and then thoroughly wash their hands.
15% Hog Grower & Finisher Feed
Agriflex Betonite
AIM Magnesium Oxide 56%
Barley Flakes
Beef, Land O’Lakes Steak Maker Grower
Bi-County 17% Layer Mash
Bi-County Coop Farm Ration
Bi-County Coop Ground Shell Corn
Bi-County Feed Oats
Bi-County Shell Corn
Bi-County Super 12 Plus
Bio-Cube Alfalfa Cubes
Calf Manna, Manna Pro
Cattle Mineral Triple Trust
Champions Choice Mix-N-Fine Salt
Champions Choice Trace Mineral Salt
Coastal Brand Poultry Shell
Country Acres Horse Feed
Crimped Oats
Diamond Crystal Pellets, water softener
Diamond Yeast Culture
Equine Merit Horse Balancer
Farmer’s Friend Vitamin A, D & E
Feed Grade Sodium Bicarbonate
Gran-I-Grit, Mt. Airy insoluble
Herd Maker Supreme
High Calcium Hydrated Lime
HomeGrown Game Bird & Poultry
Horsemans’s Edge Pelleted
Kemin Calcium Proprionate
Land O’ Lakes Calf Primer
Layena
Legends Grow & Perform
Legends Racing Textured
Legends Show & Pleasure
Limestone Calcium Carbonate
Merry Mixer Dehydrated Alfala
Pork Supreme LG Premix 100/75
Purina Chow Turkey Starter
Purina Omalene 100
Purina Pig Startena
Purina Start & Grow Sunfresh
Rabbit Pellets 25 lbs.
Reliance Pleasure 11T
Reliance Pleasure HP
S.S. Dairy 18% Supreme Dairy
Scratch Feed
Solvent Extracted Soybean Meal
Tizwhiz Train N Maintain
Triple Crown Complete
Triple Crown Growth
Triple Crown Senior Formula
Triple Trust 20-15 Red Calf Manna Milk Replacer
Triple Trust Dried Molasses
Triple Trust Feed Dicalium Phosphate
Triple Trust Horse Feed
Triple Trust Rabbit Pellets
Triple Trust Textured Goat Feed
Ultralyx Dried Distillers Grains
Staff Write Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – taking your furry friend on the road
Listen to Pet Show! Our guest this week was the illustrious Harrison Forbes! He’s the host of the nationally-syndicated Pet Talk show and author of the book Dog Talk. He’s an expert who’s been heard all over the world. (And as a side note, he’s been interviewed by Larry King. So in a way, the Pet Show crew is almost as awesome as Larry King. Admittedly, we don’t have suspenders.)
Anyway, Harrison’s impressive resume aside, he spoke to us about traveling with your pets this summer. Anybody who’s ever tried to load up a dog or cat and go for a road trip knows this is no easy task. Harrison gives us some great advice for keeping your pets calm and happy during the drive.
Our Tale Tips for the show are more than necessary considering the horrific heat in Oklahoma these days. Dawn shares info about how to protect your animals from the heat:
- Keep up with your regular vet visits.
- Pets need water and shade when outside.
- Look for symptoms of heat problems – panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, weakness, collapse, seizure, vomiting or high temperature.
- Don’t leave your pet in the car. Seriously.
- Keep animals that can’t swim away from the pool.
- Don’t leave windows open in upper stories. Pets can be attracted to the air flow and fall out.
- Haircuts are good – shaving to the skin is bad.
- Keep your pets off hot asphalt, which can burn the pads of their paws.
- If you’re boosting your lawn with chemicals, use them carefully and away from animals.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – training pandas or puppies
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahiesoman today -
- Raids hit dogfighting rings. (statewide)
- Turtles slow plane traffic. (New York)
- Three hurt in running of the bulls. (Spain, page 9a)
- Horse races spur 12 arrests. (Guymon)
- Unusual surgery saves hound. (Edmond)
- Frog races have kids leaping for joy. (Oklahoma City)
- Training tips similar for pets, zoo animals. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
What about my Westie?
Here’s an interesting Q&A from Oklahoma State University’s Vetenarian on Call:
I just got a Westie puppy and discovered on the Internet that they are prone to Addison’s disease. Can you tell me more about this problem?
Addison’s disease, also referred to as hypoadrenocorticism, is an immune disease, which attacks the adrenal glands. It can be difficult to diagnose since the signs may be very subtle. It occurs primarily in dogs but has also been reported in cats.
With this disease the adrenal glands (the two glands located near the kidneys) can no longer produce the normal amount of certain hormones, which are needed to maintain basic life functions.
These hormones are called mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. The body requires a low level of these hormones to maintain gastrointestinal health and to help the body adapt to stressful situations.
Mineralocorticoids help maintain the balance of sodium and potassium in the blood, which are both very important for fluid balance and heart rate and rhythm. Usually this problem results from immune destruction of the adrenal glands, causing the cells that produce these hormones to die.
The disease occurs more in females than in males and affects young to middle-aged dogs more commonly. While it can occur in any breed of dog, breeds such as Standard poodles, West Highland white terriers (“Westies”), and Rottweilers seem to have a higher incidence of this disease.
The signs for Addison’s disease can be very nonspecific and include sporadic vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, and at times, drinking and urinating too much.
Another presentation, which is more serious, is referred to as an “Addisonian crisis” and can be life-threatening. These dogs present with weakness, collapse, hypothermia (low body temperature), and shock. These signs develop very fast (within 24 hours) and require emergency intervention.
Your veterinarian may suspect Addison’s disease if your dog has compatible clinical signs, is dehydrated, has a slow heart rate and has corresponding blood tests, which reveal a high potassium, low sodium, low glucose (blood sugar), and possibly poor kidney function.
In this crisis situation, treatment should not be delayed. To prove that a dog has Addison’s disease, a special blood test (called an ACTH stimulation test) is performed to test the body’s ability to produce glucocorticoids (one of the hormones lacking in Addison’s disease). Dogs with Addison’s disease will not have a response to the ACTH injection and, therefore, not produce this hormone.
Currently there is no test that can predict whether Addison’s disease will develop prior to the onset of the disease. So the disease is always diagnosed after signs have developed.
Once a diagnosis is made, if the dog is in a “crisis,” intravenous fluids and intensive treatment and monitoring in the hospital is required.
Maintenance therapy (long term) requires replacement of the hormones, which the dog can no longer produce. This treatment will be needed for life, since the adrenal glands cannot function properly.
The most common treatment consists of a monthly injection of a replacement hormone. There is an daily oral medication available; but it is more expensive than the injection.Your veterinarian will also need to recheck blood tests periodically to monitor response to the treatment. The good news is that most dogs can be well controlled with these medications and live a long happy life as long as they continue to receive the hormone replacement.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
