Monthly Newsletter

The CEVBD endowment fund was created with a $100,000 donation from Clint Severson, Celebration, Florida, and $75,000 from Kenneth Aron, San Francisco.

"We believe this will mark the great beginning to expand this endowment fund to its intended target of $2 million or more," said Dr. Roman Ganta, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology and director of the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases.

"We sincerely appreciate Drs. Severson and Aron for their generous gifts and valuing the importance of the center's mission goals," Dr. Ganta said. "The endowment will allow us to further advance knowledge on vector-borne diseases affecting companion and agricultural animals and humans."

Dr. Ganta said the center's foundation and endowment funds continue helping promote its visibility to the highest level and aid in developing new projects to tackle important emerging vector-borne diseases affecting animal and human health.

The endowment funds will help the center prepare the future generation of scientists with high-level expertise to investigate vector-borne diseases, offer continuing education workshops, and develop resources such as a repository to maintain culture stocks of vector-borne pathogens, Dr. Ganta said.

"Dr. Ganta is a visionary scientist with three decades of research on vector-borne diseases," Severson said. "He has the expertise required to progress from research to working vaccine. It gives me great pleasure to support the work of the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and its work to reduce the incidence of vector-borne disease and potentially eliminate them."

Dr. Aron said the center's work on vector-borne diseases is well-recognized.

"With climate change and with urban areas increasingly encroaching on animal habitats, vector-borne diseases will be a coming public health crisis, cause economic burden to cattle industry and emotional burden to pet owners," Dr. Aron said. "The Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases is at the forefront of investigating several important tick-borne diseases. I am delighted to offer my support for the active research pursued by Roman at the center."

The Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases is an interdisciplinary research center with a mission to combat vector-borne diseases. Established in 2015, its goals are to build an internationally recognized program in mitigating emerging threats of vector-borne diseases. During the last six years, the center has expanded research on various tick-borne diseases.

"Tick-borne diseases are a never-ending challenge for veterinary and human health," said Dr. Bonnie Rush, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dr. Ganta has demonstrated tireless commitment to solving specific issues with transferable solutions. Through the development of the endowment fund, the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases will continue to find more ways to control these important diseases in a foreseeable future."

Tick-borne diseases are among the most common vector-borne illnesses in the United States. Of these, rickettsial diseases caused by Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Rickettsiaspecies pathogens are a growing concern in the U.S. and in many parts of the world. The diseases impact the health of people, companion and agricultural animals.

"Given the steady increase in numbers of ticks in close proximity to people and their ability to feed on a wide range of hosts, pathogens transmitted by ticks continue to impact the health of various vertebrate hosts," Dr. Ganta said. "Vaccination to confer protection is one of the most effective means of controlling diseases. The center has expanded vaccine studies to address several tick-borne diseases of people, dogs and cattle, including anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever."

Since the center's establishment, Dr. Ganta has generated $9.56 million in competitive research grant support, with the lion's share — $8 million — coming from the National Institutes of Health.

The SPARK and SPRINTS programs will help encourage students in underserved communites to become veterinarians.

SPARK seeks to create direct and purposeful connections between aspiring veterinarians and veterinary practices in rural communities throughout Kansas. As a daylong immersive experience, SPARK provides participants with the opportunity to shadow veterinarians in rural communities and gain exposure to the demands and rewards of rural veterinary practice. The goal of the program is to generate long-term interest in a career in rural veterinary medicine. Additionally, SPARK participants will engage in educational sessions to learn how to garner the necessary financial resources to attend a professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, as well as how to create a competitive application for a selective Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

Ideal applicants for the SPARK program are those who intend to apply for admission to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program during the 2021-2022 application cycle and are within five years of attaining a veterinary medicine degree. Applicants outside of that criteria are welcome to apply as well. To apply, go to kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6L2r0qVJG39VJMV.

The SPRINTS initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides opportunities for high school and college students who identify as tribal, Native American or Indigenous to gain exposure to veterinary medicine as a potential career path. The initiative encompasses many programs, including sponsoring registration, travel and lodging costs for students to attend Vet Med ROCKS, an annual summer camp hosted by College of Veterinary Medicine students. SPRINTS participants will receive tailored consultations about the required prerequisite coursework and their current high school or transcripts, as well as the application process for acceptance into the College of Veterinary Medicine. They also will receive fee waivers for their supplemental application to the college.

Ideal applicants for the SPRINTS initiative are high school and undergraduate college students, at least 18 years of age, who identify as Indigenous, Native American or tribal, and with a desire to learn more about careers in veterinary medicine. To apply, go to kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ddolYXno3dPE9jD.

Questions about these programs can be directed to admit@vet.k-state.edu.

Dr. David Poole, who Stanford has listed among the top 2% of researchers in the world, has conducted research in these areas of anatamony & physiology: cardiorespiratory disease, respiration, microcirculation and structure and function of the diaphragm.

The study determined the researchers included by most research citings for scientists around the world. The exhaustive list includes 159,683 persons.

Many disciplines are represented by K-State faculty on the list, including veterinary science, toxicology, tropical medicine, physiology and anatomy in the College of Veterinary Medicine. From the rest of the university, other fields included entomology, food science agronomy and agriculture, marketing, microbiology, family studies, and materials.

“I am truly honored to make the list,” said Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, University Distinguished Professor of Microbiology. “I am not sure what criteria were used for these selections, but there are other researchers in the college who seem deserving and should have been included.”

“I’m surprised and honored to be named in such an elite list of world researchers," said Dr. James Roush, interim associate dean for academic programs and student affairs. Dr. Roush is also the Doughman Professor in Small Animal Surgery. "It serves as a challenge to continue to add to the world’s scientific knowledge and to veterinary medicine.”

Researchers from both the Manhattan and Polytechnic campuses were included.

A full list of the selected top researchers can be found in a Google Doc created by the Stanford researchers. Below is the list of CVM faculty members from that list that built their scientific careers at Kansas State University.

* Retired
⁺ Deceased
^{^} Left K-State in 2020

Dr. Callie Rost presents Melissa Riley with the Bowie Scholarship.

“Being selected for this award means a lot to me,” Riley said. “It was very unexpected, and I am honored that I was chosen. I am thankful to Dr. Bowie’s family and the amazing K-State CVM administration who considered me for this award! Dr. Bowie made incredible contributions to the veterinary profession, and I am extremely glad that I am now able to be a small part of his legacy.”

“Melissa is tremendously deserving of this recognition,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. “As an undergraduate student in animal sciences and industry, she distinguished herself as the 2016 Integrative Organismal Systems Physiology Fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Bruce Schultz in our Department of Anatomy and Physiology. As a veterinary student, she continues to participate in research and lead activities that strengthen student recruitment and support for others. We are proud to name her to this scholarship. Dr. Bowie was one of our college’s original Alumni Fellows in 1993. Melissa is following in the footsteps of a highly respected veterinarian and educator.”

“Melissa is a great representative for the veterinary college,” added Dr. Callie Rost, associate dean for admissions. “She is the president of Vet Med ROCKS [Recruitment and Outreach Club of Kansas State], a student club that hosts a variety of events and day camps for prospective veterinary students who are currently in middle school, high school and college undergraduate programs. Her leadership makes her a worthy recipient of this prestigious scholarship.”

Dr. Rost said that Riley is also an active member in VOICE (Veterinarians for One Inclusive Community for Empowerment), a club tasked with making a difference in the inclusive and equitable environment at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Riley spends some time with her cat, Zuri.

Dr. Bowie earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Kansas State University in 1947. He earned the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in mammalian physiology from Cornell University in 1955 and 1960, respectively. He performed a postdoctoral study at Michigan State University and was a scholar-in-residence at Howard University.

In March 1947, Dr. Bowie joined the faculty at Tuskegee University, which was then known as the Tuskegee Institute. He served as a teacher, research scientist, head of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in 1955, and associate dean for academic affairs until he was appointed to succeed Dean T. S Williams (who earned his DVM at K-State in 1935) as the school's dean in 1972. Dr. Bowie served as dean at Tuskegee’s School of Veterinary Medicine for 18 years until 1990. He passed away in October 2009.

The purpose of the scholarship is to demonstrate a commitment to bringing diverse people together and/or to serving disadvantaged populations. To support future scholarship recipients, gifts can be made to the Dr. Walter C. Bowie Scholarship online at https://giving.ksufoundation.org/campaigns/18031/donations/new.

It's important to take special precautions for your pets during times of extreme cold.

Even dogs with heavy coats may need to come inside during periods of frigid temperatures. Dr. Nelson recommends keeping dogs with heavy coats in a slightly cooler room or the garage to prevent them from getting too warm and uncomfortable. Short trips inside the house before a long period of cold can give pets a chance to become accustomed to the atmosphere indoors.

Some pets may get nervous and panic while inside. Keeping them in a carrier or crate may help to ease the transition, Dr. Nelson said. If their nervousness is severe, talk with your veterinarian about calming medication.

Make sure pets know their food and water locations, too, when you move them inside. If your pet is not housebroken, Dr. Nelson recommends keeping them on floors that are easily cleaned.

Once inside, pets can be exposed to an environment that contains different hazards than those found outdoors.

"Lilies, dieffenbachia and philodendron are just a few of the indoor plants that can be toxic to pets," Dr. Nelson said. "Take inventory of what plants you have and find out if they are poisonous before bringing pets inside."

Some common items found in the home can be harmful to our furry friends.

"Some human foods, such as chocolate, raisins and onions, can be dangerous to pets," Dr. Nelson said. "Pets also may chew on electrical cords. In addition, candles and potpourri can be hazardous, so keep pets supervised while in the house and take appropriate precautions."

When given the proper care, pets can be comfortable outside during cold weather, Dr. Nelson said.

"An outside pet shelter should not be too big in order to prevent the loss of insulation and heat," she said. "The door should face the south or west to reduce wind gusts. Use clean straw or hay for bedding as blankets tend to get trampled easily and then lose their insulating effect. If your pet will allow it, hang a blanket over the door or use a pet flap to keep out the wind."

For cats, consider a cozy box in a sheltered area, Dr. Nelson said. Straw bedding works great for them as well.

"Outside water bowls should be checked at least twice a day for ice, or better yet, a pet-friendly heated water bowl should be used," Dr. Nelson said. "Outside-dwelling pets also may benefit from an increase in calories through a higher caloric food or feeding more of their regular diet. This will help them maintain body heat."

The age of the pet can make it more susceptible to cold weather, as younger and older pets are more prone to hypothermia and need extra attention. Nelson added that some diseases also can make it harder for pets to adjust to temperature changes.

"Arthritic pets should be treated with extra care as well," Dr. Nelson said. "Keep them indoors in a warm and well-cushioned area. Talk to your veterinarian about pain medications and possible diet changes that may help with this problem."

If you have a short-hair dog, sweaters are a good idea, Dr. Nelson said, preferably ones made out of cotton, fleece or natural fibers. Make sure that the sweater fits well and does not catch the dog's feet or can be easily pulled off. Sweaters with decorations that could be torn off and ingested should be avoided.

Outdoor cats will seek warmth and this sometimes includes near or on a car engine. Dr. Nelson recommends honking the horn on your vehicle or banging on the hood before starting the engine in order to scare off any cats that may be warming themselves.

Pets that walk on sidewalks and driveways run the risk of picking up rock salt, ice or other chemicals on the pads of their feet.

"Rinse off the feet of pets if they have been on salted or chemically treated walkways; do not let them lick it off," Dr. Nelson said. "It is best to try to avoid treated driveways, but if your pet must frequently walking on these surfaces, consider booties."

Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Dr. Nelson said to be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle and consider using products that contain propylene glycol, rather than ethylene glycol, because it is more pet friendly — but still not entirely harmless.

Frostbite can be an issue on the ears, feet and noses of pets. To avoid frostbite do not let your pet out in extreme cold for a long period of time. Chances are that if it is too cold for you to be outside for very long, it's probably too cold for your pet to stay out much longer as well, Dr. Nelson said.

Donor dog Oliver poses with his successful donation.

More than 70 canine donors have been a part of the program since its creation. The donors are typically owned by VHC staff, students and area residents.

"Just like in people, blood transfusions can be crucial for many of the canine patients staying in the hospital," said Brooke Neiberger, veterinary nurse and head of the donor program. "Having the blood on hand really helps, as many patients are in life-threatening conditions when they arrive."

Common dog emergencies that may require blood are poisoning, trauma, injuries, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, clotting disorders and surgeries.

"The unit of blood is collected from the jugular vein in the neck since this is the most accessible site for venipuncture in the dog," Neiberger said. "The dogs lie quietly on a table for about five to 10 minutes during the collection process and are praised and petted to provide comfort and positive feedback. After collection, a temporary bandage is placed around the neck covering the venipuncture site and the unit of canine blood is separated into red blood cells and plasma. This processing supplies enough blood for two patients."

Currently, part of the VHC's blood supply must be ordered from an outside location because the supply of volunteer donations can't keep up with demand. When ordering from outside, there is more than 10-week waiting period from the time the blood is ordered until it arrives at the VHC.

"The volunteer blood donor program helps to meet the transfusion needs of the patients here at the VHC," Neiberger said. "The demand for blood products for our patients increases every year, which then increases the need for more volunteer blood donors to ensure that every patient in need can be treated."

The goal of the program is to grow the number of canine blood donors and to eventually have entirely universal donors — donors that have a negative blood type — to increase the blood supply at the VHC. Donors in the program can donate once every two months.

"Similar to humans, to be an eligible blood donor, dogs must be in good general health," Neiberger said. "All prospective canine donors must be friendly — calm — while being cooperative without their owner's present."

Other requirements to donate include:

• Dogs must be 1-5 years old and heavier than 55 pounds to donate safely.
• Donors must be current on their required vaccinations and be free of any medications other than flea, tick and heartworm preventatives.
• Females need to have no history of pregnancy while males must be neutered.
• Dogs that have previously received a blood transfusion will not qualify for the program.
• Donors would preferably be available for collection once every two months.

Owners of blood donors receive benefits from enrolling their dogs in the program as well, including a bag of food after each donation, flea and tick preventatives, heartworm preventatives, yearly vaccinations and yearly blood work.

If you think your dog might be a good fit for the program, you can visit the Canine Blood Donor site for more information, or contact the program at vhcblooddonor@vet.k-state.edu.

Frank W. Jordan Seminar

We are excited to host the 38th Annual Frank W. Jordan Seminar online on March 21, 2021! This year's seminar features Drs. Amy Rankin, Jessica Meekins, Jordan Roberts and John Angelos discussing Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Location
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Frank W. Jordan Seminar will be held virtually. The 2020 Frank W. Jordan Seminar provided us with more than 300 virtual attendees! The 2021 version promises to be just as successful. The 2021 seminar will be held via zoom. Please register for this seminar on the registration page.

Contact Hours
4 CE Hours are available

Questions
For additional information, contact the Office of Continuing Education & Events at 785-532-4528 or by emailing: vmce@vet.k-state.edu.

Alumni and faculty featured in IVMA Update

The most recent Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Update features a review of Guideposts for Veterinary Professionals: a Handbook, that includes contributions from several K-State alumni and faculty: Drs. Howard Erickson, professor emeritus and DVM class of 1959, Drs. Jerry and Nancy Jaax, DVM classes of 1972 and 1973, respectively, Dr. Sara Mark, DVM class of 1983, and Dr. Abbie Viscardi, research assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology at the CVM.

Submit nominations for Alumni Recognition Awards online

See our new online nomination form to nominate a fellow alumnus for one of our many annual recognition awards, presented at the national conferences: VMX, WVC, AVMA and the Annual Conference for Veterinarians. See full details at the link below.

Alumni Awards Nomination Form

Welcome to:

Nicole Potter, Veterinary Health Center, Client Service Assistant
Stephanie Martinez, Anatomy & Physiology, Assistant Professor
Mark Koller, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Research Compliance Specialist
Nicklaus Clarizio, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Lab Technician
Mariza Hernandez, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Office Specialist II
Hana Johnson, Dean's Offic, Academic Services Coordinator
Ariel Schlag, Clinical Sciences, Clnical Assistant Professor
Ursula Burger, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Lab Client Service Assistant
Qiran Chen, Anatomy & Physiology, Fellow (Post Doc)
Cassidy Goering, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Nurse II

Farewell to:

Alison Brunner, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Assistant
Neil Wallace, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Microbiologist I
Amanda Martinitz, Veterinary Health Center, Veterinary Assistant
Jill Newland, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Animal Medical Technologist
Lalitha Peddireddi, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Clinical Assistant Professor
Nicole Peabody, Organizational Support Services, Accountant I
Konner Cool, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Assistant
Camila Rios Salomao de Souza, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Assistant Professor
Brittany Bozzarello, Veterinary Health Center, Client Services Assistant
Jenifer Warnow, Veterinary Health Center, Client Services Assistant