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
Pets in the paper – an attack rescue
Check out these stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Neighbor saves boy from dogs. (Noble)
- Getting a glimpse of nature. (Norman)
- Zebra mussel gains ground in Oklahoma. (Lake Texoma)
- Couple start family with injured pooch. (Tulsa)
- Work begins on vets’ clinic. (Colorado)
- Debate focuses on value of autism service dogs. (Illinois)
- A dog’s holiday. (Monday, page 1c, nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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
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
Pets in the paper – an old dog’s second chance
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Second chance was all she needed. (Oklahoma City)
- Zoo special includes food. (Oklahoma City)
- Golf tourney helps animal sanctuary. (Edmond)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – horse teeth and prison time
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Rodeo star pleads in veterinary case. (Geary)
- Beef company issues recall. (Colorado)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
