CVM This Week is a weekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Please submit news and calendar items to Sue Kirchoff, editor, at kirch004@umn.edu before noon Friday. To view CVM This Week as a Web page and access back issues, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/publications/cvmthisweek.
CVM well-represented at MVMA, MAVT meetings
Faculty and staff made a variety of presentations at the annual Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) and Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT) meetings last week. In addition to the faculty members who made presentations at the MVMA meeting (Drs. Greg Anderson, Jeff Bender, Mike Conzemius, Laura Crews, Dan Feeney, Kelly Hall, Sara B. Jacobsen, Susan McClanahan, Jane Quandt, Juan Romano, Peggy Root-Kustritz, Travis Saveraid, Stephan Singleton, and Laura Ziegler), these faculty and staff members made presentations at the MAVT meeting Feb. 8-9:
Dr. Julie Churchill: A Tech's Role in Weight Loss
Dr. Scott Dee: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Update
Dr. Sandra Godden: Rearing Healthy Dairy Calves
Dr. Donnell Hansen: Reviewing Stomatitis in our Feline Companions
Leslie Hiber, CVT: Murmurs: The Sounds of a Broken Heart
Kristin Hohnadel, CVT: Arrhythmias - From Brady to Tachy
Kim Horne, CVT: Understanding the Allergic Dog
Jeannine Moga, M.A., M.S.W.: Turning Compassion Fatigue into Compassion Satisfaction; Facilitating Good Death; Building a Bridge of Hope -- Animal Abuse/Hoarding
Dr. Janet Olson: Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART)
Krista Peterson, CVT: Infection Control
Dr. Travis Saveraid: MRI and the Equine Industry
Many other faculty, staff, and students pitched in to set up, staff, and tear down the College's informative booth in the exhibit hall, including Sue Allard, Katharine Anderson, Larry Bjorklund, Dr. Mostafa Bouljihad, Marie Gramer, Brian Graves, Katie Kitchen, Dr. David Lee, Angela Lockhart, Andre Nault, Yvonne-Marie Oliver, Stephanie Pommier, Dr. Srirama Rao, Danielle Renstrom, Kelly Scott, Sharon Staton, Kathy Stuebner, Susanna Styve, Lindsey Williams, and Jan Williams.
Champagne toast celebrates Lulich, Modiano appointments
Alumni and donors packed the Hennepin-Carver Room at the Hilton Minneapolis on Feb. 7 for a reception hosted by the College's Advancement team. The highlight was a champagne toast to celebrate the appointments of Dr. Jody Lulich as the Osborne/Hill's Chair in Nephrology/Urology and Dr. Jaime Modiano as the Al and June Perlman Endowed Oncology Chair. The winners of the MVMA poster competition were announced, and the annual Alumni & Friends Society board meeting was conducted.
Kari Ekenstedt and Meetu Seth win poster competition
Graduate students Kari Ekenstedt and Meetu Seth were the winners of the first-ever MVMA poster competition. Kari won first place and a $200 prize for her poster on the genetic basis of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs, and Metu won second place and a $100 prize for her poster about bovine tuberculosis. Congratulations, Kari and Meetu!
Three companies charged in pet food poisoning
Two Chinese companies and an American importer have been indicted on charges of intentionally defrauding and misleading American manufacturers about poisonous ingredients used in pet food last year. Citing e-mail traffic between the Chinese manufacturer and the American importer, the Feb. 6 U.S. federal indictment says that the importer of the tainted ingredient knew it was being mislabeled to avoid inspection. Tainted wheat gluten, used as an ingredient in moist pet food, killed at least 16 dogs and cats, sickened thousands of others and led to one of the biggest pet food recalls in U.S. history, involving companies like Procter & Gamble and Menu Foods. For more information, go towww.iht.com/articles/2008/02/07/business/pet.php
Officials prepare for possible downgrade in Minnesota's TB status
On February 4, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced that cattle from a Roseau cattle operation tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB). Minnesota Board of Animal Health executive director and state veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann said if another infected herd is found, Minnesota’s TB status may be downgraded. “Conversations are ongoing with the United States Department of Agriculture about Minnesota’s future TB status should we find one more herd,” said Hartmann. “It’s important that we prepare for all possibilities, and unfortunately, one scenario would see the downgrading of our status from Modified Accredited Advanced to Modified Accredited, the middle rung in an international fi ve-tier ranking system for cattle TB eradication.” For more information, visit the Minnesota Board of Animal Health Web site at www.bah.state.mn.us/diseases/tuberculosis/bovine_tb.html
Power outage to affect computer resources
The following services will be unavailable during a power outage at Children's Rehab Center on Sunday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.:
Online Visa registration systems
Meeting Maker
Monday, February 11
New Employee Orientation
8:30 a.m.-noon
458 Veterinary Medical Center
Tuesday, February 12
Seminar in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences
Differentiation of Prion Strains Associated with TSE Using In-Vitro Seeded Variants of Y145Stop Segments
Presented by Ahmed Abd-allah
Advisor: Dr. Sreevatsan
Noon-1 p.m.
215 Veterinary Science
Wednesday, February 13
Hill's Pet Food Distribution
7:00-7:50 a.m. and 5:00-5:50 p.m.
Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital
Brown Bag Financial Series
A Perspective on Today's Economy and Portfolio Diversification
Presented by Securian
Noon-1 p.m.
210 Donhowe
Comparative Biosciences Seminar
Dietary Essential Fatty Acids--Requirements for Healthy Skin and General Health
Presented by Dr. Philip W. Wertz, Department of Oral Radiology, Pathology, and Medicine, University of Iowa
Hosted by Dr. Sheila Torres
3 p.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
Refreshments available. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Contact: Jaclyn Barnes at barne063@umn.edu or 612-624-2700
Thursday, February 14
Hill's Pet Food Distribution
7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m.
Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital
Small Animal Grand Rounds
Presented by Rebecca McComas
8 a.m.
125 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
Friday, February 15
Hill's Pet Food Distribution
7:00-7:50 a.m. and noon-12:50 p.m.
Gortner Avenue dock, Large Animal Hospital
What's ahead
Western Veterinary Conference: Feb. 17-21, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas. For more information, go to www.wvc.org/
University of Minnesota Alumni Reception, Western Veterinary Conference: Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m., Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas
Lynne Cox, author of Grayson, will discuss her ocean encounter with a baby gray whale: Feb. 19, 7 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstore. For more information, go to www.bookstore.umn.edu/genref/authors.html
Opportunities in International and Cultural Immersion: Jan. 23, noon-12:50 p.m., 215 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.Master’s Thesis Defense Seminar: Porcine Circovirus Type 2: Serologic Response in Pigs and Susceptibility to Different Disinfectants, presented by Hyeun Bum Kim: Feb. 26, 2 p.m., 385J Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine. Advisor: Dr. Han Soo Joo. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Brown Bag Financial Series--Build a Portfolio for Any Weather: Feb. 27, noon-1 p.m., 210 Donhowe. Presented by Fidelity.
Horse Owner Education Days: March 1, Morris Science Building, University of Minnesota-Morris. For details, to to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html
Alpaca Matters Midwest Annual Conference: March 1-2, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine. For details and to register, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/alpaca.html
Clinical Rounds for Veterinary Students: March 4, noon, 135 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Symposium: March 4-8, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. For more information, go to www.nwrawildlife.org/page.asp?ID=211
Mather Lecture Series: Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs and Cats, presented by Dr. Brian Husbands: March 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m., 215 Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center. $30 per seminar. For details and to register, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/mather.html
Hill's College Feeding Program Orders Due: March 7
Horse Owner Education Days: March 8, Northwest Technical College, Bemidji. For details, to to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html
VMC Career Information Day: March 8, 1-3 p.m., Veterinary Medical Center
Horse Owner Education Days (advanced session): March 15, Leatherdale Equine Center. For details, to to www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/horseowner.html
Go to the Academic Health Center's calendar of events.
Go to the University of Minnesota campus events calendar.
Faculty and staff news (top)
Welcome to the College
Welcome to the following new faculty and staff members who joined the College in January:
Advancement
Brian T. Graves, communications manager
Lindsey Nicole Williams, stewardship coordinator
Student Services
Deborah Ann Wingert, director of educational development
Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Amanda Rodrigues Oliveira, research assistant
Adam L. Stell, assistant scientist
Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Katherine Anne Krieser, research assistant
Lynne Kushner, associate clinical specialist
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Sarah C. Gresch, junior scientist
Rebecca Amma Yamoah, junior scientist
Veterinary Medical Center
Linda K. Winkler, principal veterinary technician
Veterinary Population Medicine
Gamal E. Elmubark, postdoctoral associate
Jen Norton wins scholarship, will present paper at NWRA Symposium
"A Pharmacologic Comparison of Two New Antifungal Agents and Their Application in the Treatment of Avian Aspergillosis," a paper by Jen Norton, class of 2008, has been selected as the winner of the 2008 Ed Hiestand Memorial Scholarship in the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) veterinary student paper competition. Jen will present her paper at the NWRA Symposium in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, March 4-8, where she will be awarded a check for $500. The paper will also be published in the NWRA Symposium proceedings. Jen's advisor on the paper was Dr. Pat Redig, CVM professor and cofounder of The Raptor Center.
Patrick Pithua successfully completes prelim exams
Patrick Pithua successfully completed his preliminary examinations on Jan. 10. Patrick is advised by Dr. Sandra Godden and Dr. Scott Wells. Congratulations, Patrick!
Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics sponsors student essay contest
The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics is sponsoring a student essay contest. The topic: the Veterinary Practitioner's Role in Animal Cloning. The prize for the winning essay is $1,000 plus travel expenses to the 2008 American Veterinary Medical Association convention in New Orleans. For more information, visit www.vetmed.wsu.edu/org_SVME/Student essay contest.htm
IACUC training course to be offered in June
IACUC 101/201 PLUS is a two-day interactive training course for both new and seasoned IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) members and affiliates, including IACUC administrators, trainers, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program, and others interested in IACUC roles and responsibilities. Attendees can register for IACUC 101 or IACUC 201 PLUS individually, or for both programs. The course will be held June 17-18 at the Continuing Education and Conference Center. For more information, go to www.cce.umn.edu/conferences/iacuc/index.html
Clinical Investigation Center news
New veterinary clinical trial
Purebred Lab puppies under 4 months old are needed for a growth dynamics study. Small implants will be placed in one hind leg, with a free spay/neuter performed at same time. For details, contact Dr. Chas McBrien at 952-451-7600 or mcbr0114@umn.edu.
Clinical studies currently enrolling in the VMC
For a list of clinical studies currently rolling in the Veterinary Medical Center, visit the Clinical Investigation Center Web site at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/current.
Retired greyhounds need foster homes
The Veterinary Medical Center's blood donor program recently acquired 10 retired racing greyhounds that needed foster homes. Two are still available:
These dogs are in ward 5 if you would like to meet them. If you have questions about fostering, contact Dora Schroeder at schro067@umn.edu or Beth Olmstead johns547@umn.edu.
AVMA News Bytes and other news
www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp
CVM This Week
Back issues of CVM This Week, from June 2004 to today's issue, are atnbsp; http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/publications/cvmthisweek/home.html.
Hill's College Feeding Program
Order online through the Hill's online ordering system at https://www.summationdata.com/hpn. For more information about the Hill's College Feeding Program, contact Jaime Nett at nett0049@umn.edu or Alisha Leonard at leona156@umn.edu.
Housing
For information about student and off-campus housing, including a housing and roommate search service, go to http://www.housing.umn.edu/.
Job openings
For information about positions available at the College, visit www.cvm.umn.edu/About/HumanResources/Employment /. For detailed information about current job openings, how to apply, and application materials, go to the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/index.html.
The VMC Pulse
Issues are available online by logging in at http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vmc/staffresources/Pulse.html.
University of Minnesota Legislative Network News
http://ga4.org/u_of_m_leg_net/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=8620389&r=
Veterinary Medical Library
For information about the Veterinary Medical Library, including new acquisitions, visit http://www.vetmed.lib.umn.edu/news.
Veterinary Practice News
Did you know that you can get a free subscription? Subscribe (or renew) online at www.vetpracticenews.com.
CVM This Week is a weekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Please submit news and calendar items to Sue Kirchoff, editor, at kirch004@umn.edu before noon Friday.
The University of Minnesota is an equal-opportunity educator and employer.