A Vet School Freshman at 57October 1, 2015In 1958, when Craig Mullenax was born, the United States and the Soviet Union conducted a flurry of nuclear weapons tests, Tim Tam won the Kentucky Derby, and Colorado A&M had just been renamed Colorado State University. Fast forward 57 years and Mullenax is settling in as the oldest veterinary student in Colorado State history. Alongside 147 other freshmen, he’s immersed in learning the basics of veterinary medicine so that when he turns 61 he can embark on his fourth career. Why now? “There are huge needs in the world, and we need to work to address them,” Mullenax said. “That’s the most important goal.” The son of veterinarians, Mullenax was born in Denver and grew up in Colombia and Ecuador. His world travels, specifically during volunteer work in India, taught him about serving people and animals. He also bought in to Mahatma Gandhi’s inspirational quote “Learn as if you were to live forever.” Colorado State reported that Mullenax’s experience with subsistence farmers in India included artificially inseminating, vaccinating and deworming goats and water buffalo. He even got the chance to splint the legs of a bull severely injured in a vehicle collision. He also witnessed the custom …
SPONSORED CONTENTA Modern Approach to Parasite PreventionWith evolving parasite threats, traditional preventatives may not be enough. Discover how innovation is changing the landscape of protection. + Learn More
Elvinger to Head Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic CenterOctober 1, 2015Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine recently reported that François Elvinger, Dr.med.vet., Ph.D., Dipl. ACVPM, Dipl. ECVPH, has been named executive director of the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). He will also serve as assistant dean for diagnostic operations. His appointment will begin October 1. “I look forward to working with all diagnosticians, staff and faculty of the AHDC and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell to expand the lab’s formidable reputation for excellent service and discovery for the benefit of all stakeholders in the Empire State and beyond,” Dr. Elvinger said. The diagnostic center receives requests for testing from more than 5,000 registered veterinary practices and organizations, from all 50 of the United States and several foreign countries, according to Cornell University. With a staff of more than 200 professionals, AHDC performs more than 1 million individual tests per year, on samples from domestic and wild animals, and tests for a wide range of diseases affecting animals and humans, the university further …
Veterinarian Dies in Bangladesh AttackSeptember 29, 2015An Italian veterinarian working for the international development agency ICCO Cooperation was shot to death Monday in Bangladesh, possibly by members of the jihadist group Islamic State. Cesare Tavella, 51, was jogging in the capital, Dhaka, when three men drove up on a motorcycle and one shot him three times in what a police official called a “preplanned murder.” The men then escaped on the motorcycle. Islamic State’s involvement was not confirmed, but news reports indicated that the group claimed responsibility, calling Dr. Tavella a “crusader.” Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country that has had few problems with militant groups. ICCO Cooperation, a Dutch-based church cooperative, said Tavella was the program manager for a “large-scaled project focusing on food security and economic development for people living in rural areas in Bangladesh.” The organization stated that it was “deeply saddened by the shocking news of the death of our dear colleague Cesare Tavella.” “Cesare was a hard-working professional, committed to help the people of Bangladesh,” the group added. “He was respected and loved by all his team members in the country office and field offices around the …
UA Chooses Oro Valley for Vet SchoolSeptember 29, 2015The University of Arizona plans to spend $8 million to convert a 33,000-square-foot building in suburban Tucson into the primary home of the new Veterinary Medical and Surgical Program. Veterinary students would spend their first year on the Tucson campus and in later years travel 13 miles north to Oro Valley for classes and clinical training. Arizona hopes to open the nation’s 31st veterinary school in August 2016 but is awaiting a site visit in January from the accreditation-awarding Council on Education. Renovation of the Oro Valley building, scheduled to open in 2017, is on hold until the state approves the funds, program spokeswomen Bethany Rutledge said. The university-owned location is close to Innovation Park, the home to bioscience companies such as Sanofi and Ventana Medical Systems. The choice was important, administrators said during an announcement Monday, because the veterinary school intends to emphasize One Health, a concept tying together animal and human health. “The University of Arizona Oro Valley campus will serve to integrate programs related to veterinary and human medicine, public health, social sciences, ecological and environmental sciences, all focused on addressing today’s complex health challenges,” said …
Arizona Vet School Installs Haptic Cow, HorseSeptember 29, 2015Veterinary students at Midwestern University in Arizona now have virtual technology at their fingertips with the Haptic Cow and Horse. Both training systems employ haptics, or force feedback, to simulate an animal’s internal organs. The Haptic Cow and Horse are said to make touching and palpating virtual objects highly realistic. In addition, because the animal’s organs are visible on the computer monitor, the instructor can see exactly what the student is doing and direct their movements, something that isn’t possible with a real animal. “Our faculty members have diverse experiences, so we were consulted on what resources are needed to deploy the best teaching techniques in order to secure better outcomes,” said Clemence Chako, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, assistant professor of Food Animal Medicine and Surgery within the College of Veterinary Medicine at Midwestern University. “In large animal practice, there are fewer mentoring opportunities, so it is really important that students are so well trained and confident that they are what we call: ‘Day One Ready.’ The Haptic Cow …
6-Year-Old Aspiring Veterinarian Raises Money To Help Disabled KittenSeptember 28, 2015Do you remember when you first realized you wanted to become a veterinarian? For 6-year-old Kaitlin Miyashiro of Hawaii, the calling came when she was just 4. At the time a puppy she bought died three days later – they hadn’t realized the dog had come from a puppy mill, Hawaii News Now reports. The incident inspired her to help animals in need. Right now she’s raising money to help one such animal, a stray kitten with a spine deformity. The condition has left the feline – named Hope – unable to use a litter box or hind legs. To help Hope, Kaitlin sold 160 bags of snacks to offices, bowling alleys and door to door. In three weeks’ time she raised $800. Her goal is $1,000. She’s working with 808 Animal Rescue to raise the money and the two of them have a crowdfunding page for that purpose. For updates, visit the 808 Animal Rescue Instagram page. Kaitlin wants to be a veterinarian and own an animal shelter when she’s an adult. If she stays on this path, …
WSAVA Continues to Do a World of GoodSeptember 28, 2015Originally published in the October 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News One paid employee and a network of dedicated volunteers keep the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) focused on its mission of advancing the health and welfare of companion animals worldwide. Guiding the group is President Colin F. Burrows, BVetMed, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, a professor emeritus at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. He’s also a co-founder of North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), whose annual conference in Orlando, Fla., has enjoyed record-setting attendance in recent years. Dr. Burrows has been recognized worldwide for his work, earning honors such as the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Woodrow Award in 1992, the Royal Canin Award from the American Animal Hospital Association in 2005 and the XIIth International Veterinary Congress Prize from the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2008. Veterinary Practice News sat down with the native of Colchester, England, to talk about his career and WSAVA. Q. One day you’re serving on the WSAVA board and then suddenly you’re president. How did it happen? A. In April 2012, Peter Ihrke, a dermatologist from UC Davis, took over. In early …
Aratana Suffers Setback on Canine Lymphoma ProductsSeptember 25, 2015Aratana Therapeutics Inc. has sharply reduced its hopes for two canine lymphoma therapies but predicted a bright future for four other emerging products. The news, presented today during a conference call with market analysts, sent the veterinary biopharmaceutical company’s stock tumbling by 39 percent at the end of trading. Aratana intends to stay in the lymphoma arena through the development of second-generation monoclonal antibodies, said President and CEO Steven St. Peter, M.D. “Given the mixed clinical and scientific results, Aratana does not believe AT-004 or AT-005 in their current first-generation format will capture the desired canine lymphoma opportunity,” he said. AT-004 and AT-005 are designed to treat B-cell and T-cell lymphoma, respectively. But disappointing outcomes in combination with chemotherapy, as well as only $387,000 in second-quarter sales of conditionally licensed AT-005 and nothing from fully licensed AT-004, persuaded Aratana to shrink expectations. St. Peter said the decision to pursue other lymphoma therapies was based on market opportunities, an increasing number of veterinary oncologists—as many as 400 today—and rising demand for pet health insurance. “We know from looking at the market that insurance tends to drive treatment options, and insurance is growing,” St. Peter said. “So we think it’s a growth …
Iowa State Reappoints Dean of Vet CollegeSeptember 25, 2015Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine has appointed Lisa Nolan, DVM, Ph.D., as dean to a new five-year term. During her first term, Dr. Nolan was successful in increasing the college’s budget, enhancing diversity and successfully completing several hospital and laboratory construction projects, according to the university. “Iowa State’s internationally acclaimed programs in agriculture, biosciences and veterinary medicine are making transformative contributions to our state, nation and the world,” said President Steven Leath. “Lisa Nolan has done an outstanding job leading the college over the last five years and I look forward to continued growth.” Nolan became dean in 2011 after serving as the college’s associate dean of research and graduate studies. “It has been incredibly gratifying to witness the growth of the college, from educating students, identifying pathogens for Iowa livestock producers, and taking care of animals around the world,” Nolan said. “I look forward to our students, faculty and staff having an even greater impact in the future.”
Dishonesty Costs Vets Their Ability to PracticeSeptember 24, 2015The lying, not the bungled operations, was what got two veterinarians in trouble with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The regulatory body overseeing the United Kingdom’s veterinary profession this week suspended a practice owner for four months and his assistant for two months after an investigation into the death of a 2-year-old Labradoodle named Benson. The case began in August 2013 when Benson was taken to Swinfen Veterinary Centre in central England for neutering. The surgery was assigned to veterinarian Georgi Cheshmedzhiev. Benson was placed in a cage after the operation but was returned to surgery when a nursing assistant reported seeing blood on his bedding and a swollen scrotum. Practice owner Mpho Donald Lesolle took over from Dr. Cheshmedzhiev, performed a scrotal ablation and applied what he told investigators were additional ligatures. Benson went home the same day and died two days later. A necropsy revealed that Benson likely died of internal bleeding and that no evidence of ligatures could be found. The dog’s owners filed a complaint with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and the cover-up took off when Dr. Lesolle told investigators that he performed both operations. He also encouraged the nurse to …
