Archive - October 2009

An American domestic shorthair kitten that was struck by a car is the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Critical Care Case of the Year. Cletus, the pet of Tom and Elaine Lawrence of Auburn, came with other animals from across the Southeast Oct. 25 to be honored during the Celebration of Life. Nurses and doctors selected these extraordinary cases from more than 1,500 animals treated in the past year by the Critical Care Program. They gathered to share stories of survival and to present the Manny Morpeth Award for Case of the Year, named for the first recipient in 2002.

Cletus came to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital in August after the Lawrences saw him run under a car on a Tennessee highway and get his rear limbs caught under the tire. “When Cletus arrived he had numerous injuries including a severely torn muscle, a broken leg, multiple soft tissue wounds, and a torn bladder,” said Dr. Mitch Potter, a resident in emergency and critical care.  “He was in shock and rapidly decompensating from the extensive trauma.” Cletus had to undergo a series of surgeries over several weeks to repair his bladder and other wounds. 

"It was really difficult to pick the case of the year," said Dr. Douglass Macintire, P.B. Griffin Distinguished Professor of Acute and Critical Care Medicine.  "We had so many great patients who fought so hard to survive and owners who sacrificed so much to help their pets.  This little guy, Cletus, though, really stole our hearts.  He never stopped purring or trying to play no matter what we did to him or how badly he hurt.  He was very lucky to be adopted by such a wonderful loving family.  Cletus and his owners represent what this award is all about -- perseverance, hope, and love." 

New CVM employees who attended the staff/faculty orientation on Oct. 7 are: Beth Morrell, administrative support associate, Animal Health Performance Program; Michele Kilday, library assistant, Cary Veterinary Medical Library; Christina Gilbert, research assistant, Equine Source Plasma Project; Danielle Taylor, large/small animal technician, Department of Clinical Sciences; and Aimee Sacks, research assistant, Equine Source Plasma Project.

The next orientation session is set for Nov. 4. Contact Karla Meadows for information.

The Alabama Veterinary Medical Foundation (ALVMF) and the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association (ALVMA) announce more than 1,000 spay/neuter surgeries have been performed on pets owned by Medicaid recipients because of funds raised from the foundation’s spay/neuter license plate program.

The new program began in April of this year. “We are so thankful to the citizens of Alabama for stepping up to the plate in support of this worthwhile effort,” said Dr. Lewis McCurdy, ALVMF president. “What we truly need to see happen now is more and more residents participating, so this program can continue to be beneficial in eliminating the overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats and subsequently, the unnecessary euthanasia procedures performed on these animals.”

Nearly 100 veterinary clinics and hospitals are participating and a map is available on the ALVMA Web site (www.alvma.com) which lists their location by county.

Like other specialized tags, the cost of the license plate is $50 ($41.25 of each sale goes to the foundation). Tags are available at all county license plate issuing offices throughout the state.

For further information on the spay/neuter license plate program, visit the ALVMA Web site, or call the association at (334) 395-0086.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is responding generously to the SGA Food Drive which ends Nov. 19. Food drive barrels are located in:

• Greene Hall lobby
• the center hallways of Greene Hall
• the Small Animal Teaching Hospital near the mailboxes
• the Large Animal Teaching Hospital near the time clock

Non-perishable food or monetary donations can also be submitted to the SGA office or the East Alabama Food Bank. Or, purchase “pounds of food” online at www.beatbamafooddrive.com. Monetary donations are tax deductible.

Last year Auburn collected over 212,199 lbs. for the East Alabama Food Bank. The University of Alabama won the drive with over 270,915 lbs. collected for the West Alabama Food Bank.

Keep up the good work, CVM - help Alabamians by stocking food pantry shelves and beat Bama in the food fight!

AU-CVMBRaTs (Undergraduates Committed to Veterinary Medical Bioscience Research and Training), a new program instituted by Dr. Frank Bartol, associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies, kicked off September 17. AU-CVMBRaTs helps undergraduates, with interests in veterinary / biomedical science and research, become engaged in supervised research activities involving animals and related model systems.

As part of the program, Dr. Debra Taylor led a two-part horse handling/safety lab which included the interpretation of behavioral cues. The first session aided those with little or no horse experience. The second session, which focused on the differences in handling techniques between a typical setting and a clinical one, assisted individuals with extensive horse experience. During research endeavors, students will interact with “stranger horses” - ones they have not seen before – and these interactions may cause a horse discomfort or stress. Dr. Taylor addressed what is expected regarding horse safety and handling at Auburn.

The Staff Advisory Committee has members in all areas of the college to represent CVM employees. Please let them know how they can help you.

• Judy Woodrow, Chair
• Michelle Aono
• Sharon Bailey
• Andrea Muir Brown
• Diana Childers
• Karie Dalton
• Christopher Ferrell
• Stephen Gulley
• Terri Hathcock
• Tina Holloway
• Don King
• Tara Lanier
• Kevin Self
• David Thornton
• Leigh Wagner
• Vic Walker, Past Chair
• Amy Wiley
• Regina Williams

The college’s annual United Way campaign continues. The impact areas of the local campaign are health, strengthening families and community, education, and crisis. Please remember to complete and submit your pledge card. For questions regarding the United Way of Lee County, ask your department volunteer.

Nov. 6, 1-3 p.m.

Wilson Conference Room

Sign up for food outside Tumor’s Corner. Valerie requests diapers, but she is also registered at Target and Babies “R” Us. Come help celebrate by welcoming Ella Drew!

“Pack It Up” Helps Kick the Habit

The Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center (AUPCC) offers “Pack It Up,” a tobacco cessation program to stop smoking or using other tobacco products. Pharmacists will evaluate your readiness to change and then develop a plan to be tobacco free. For all interested full time employees and/or their spouses, Auburn University will pay the costs associated with the tobacco cessation program and up to $120 annually in nonprescription smoking cessation products recommended by the AUPCC and obtained through the AUPCC pharmacy. To make an appointment, call 844-4099 or e-mail aupcc4u@auburn.edu.

CVM Group Exercise Schedule for Fall

From Walking Wednesdays to Interval Training, the CVM Exercise Program offers something for all fitness levels. Classes are 30-60 minutes in length and meet in 144 McAdory Hall. The program is open to CVM faculty, staff, and spouses for a nominal fee. Colleen Daly (cmd0009@auburn.edu) is the instructor and she can answer your questions about getting started now.

See schedule here.

Joy Goodwin Lecturer

• Dr. Thomas Spencer
• Conceptus-Maternal Interactions: Problems, Insights, and Possible Solutions
• November 6
• 11 a.m.
• 121 Greene Hall

Annual Krista Golf Classic

• Saturday, Nov. 14
• 8:30 a.m.
• Grand National Short Course
• Open to Anyone – Faculty, Staff, Students, Parents – And to All Levels
• Entry Fee: $28, plus tax, paid at the clubhouse, includes green fees, cart, lunch, and a goody bag sponsored by Purina.
• E-mail lac0004@auburn.edu to play.