Dr. Kate KuKanich collaborates on international pain relief medication guidelines for cats

Dr. Kate KuKanich joins seven feline pain-relief experts in publishing the "2024 ISFM and AAFP consensus guidelines on the long-term use of NSAIDs in cats" to help practitioners when prescribing NSAIDs for their feline patients.

Dr. Waithaka Mwangi goes ‘FFAR’ to prevent African Swine Fever Virus; receives $2.645 million grant

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, or FFAR, recently awarded a $1M "Seeding Solutions Grant" to Dr. Waithaka Mwangi's lab to develop vaccines to prevent ASFV. K-State, Elanco Animal Health, Kansas State University Innovation Partners and MEDIAN Diagnostics Inc., matched the funds for a $2,645,427 total investment.

Students receive scholarships from Zoetis and American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges

Congrats to Cayley Conrad, Traniesh Byrd, Chelsey Bieberle, Destiny Parkhurst, Sonia Moreno, Alyssa Leslie, Astrid Carcamo-Tzic and Megan Mueller on being chosen for this year's Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship. More than 200 scholarships worth $7,000 each have been awarded this year to students at each of the US veterinary colleges.

Astrid Carcamo-Tzic receives Merck diversity leadership scholarship

Third-year student Astrid Carcamo-Tzic is one of 21 students nationwide chosen for a Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship. These scholarships support efforts by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges to recognize student recipients as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary researcher brings championship pedigree to animal disease investigations

One of the newest researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine literally knows what it takes to be — or at least to have — the “top dog”. While Dr. Laura Miller’s professional occupation includes more than 20 years of experience with the USDA, and a wealth of experience in investigating a variety of viral animal diseases, her side activities have brought her a certain amount of renown in a much different field.

Veterinary students Rice and DeWitt receive Army Health Professions Scholarships

First-year veterinary students Samantha Rice and Henry DeWitt were selected for HPSP program. The health professions scholarship pays 100% of the tuition for a graduate-level health care degree at any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico.

Community Outreach team named recipient of 2024 Excellence in Engagement Award

The Community Outreach team is the recipient of the 2024 Kansas State University Excellence in Engagement Award for high-impact educational practices with veterinary students and community outreach efforts for vulnerable populations.

K-State veterinary team to provide vision exams for service and working animals

As part of a national event, the ophthalmology team from Kansas State University's Veterinary Health Center will provide free eye exams for eligible service and working animals during the month of May. The K-State team includes Drs. Jessica Meekins and Amy Rankin along with staff members Jennifer Klingele and Jordyn Orrison.

CVM welcomes back longtime professor Dr. Howard Erickson as Alumni Fellow

Dr. Howard Erickson, DVM class of 1959, grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska. During the All-College Seminar, he shared stories of some notable hometown citizens during his presentation, “Mentors, Colleagues, and my Home Town Legends." He also gave several nods to colleagues from his 40-plus years of teaching at the veterinary college.

Remembering the gift of the Frick Research Farm

In September, K-State gave approval to sell 104-acre property once known as Frick Research Farm, which was gifted to the university in 1966. Proceeds from sale of the property in March will go to support a student training laboratory for diagnostic testing.

More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

Open House 2024

An estimated 620 visitors stopped by the veterinary college during the annual All-University Open House. (pictures courtesy of Dr. James Roush)

Drs. Chris Blevins, Adam Bassett and Cara Croft along with veterinary assistant Alainka Sameiro and fourth-year students Katie Hoch, Shelby Quarnberg and Jessie Johannes assisted with EquiFest of Kansas in Salina on March 14-17. EquiFest is one of the largest equine trade shows in the Midwest.

The American Association of Veterinary Clinician Residents’ meeting was held at the Renaissance Inn, Atlanta, GA on March 22-23. Drs. Morgan Johnson and Danielle Cucuzella were nominated to attend as representatives for the VHC. Dr. Emily Reppert presented on the topic of “Finding Your Place in Academia”. Dr. Beth Davis presented on the topics of “Large Classroom Instruction with Student Engagement” and “Writing Exam Questions, CVM students in pre-clinical coursework”. There were 63 clinical residents in attendance at this every other year meeting that is aimed at recruitment of clinical residents into veterinary academia.

Fourth-year veterinary students Michaela Musselman, Elizabeth Brann, MaRyka Smith and Katie Stenger volunteered to assist the American Royal with their inaugural Spring Livestock Show March 27-28. The students assisted the Missouri Department of Agriculture State Veterinarians and the American Royal’s show veterinarian, Dr. Brian Hodes, DVM class of 2011, with checking health papers, checking livestock for apparent disease, and overall assistance to the veterinarians.

Dr. Nathaniel Kapaldo published “The Importance of Anesthetic Monitoring and Documentation in Veterinary Practice” in AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT.

Drs. John Whitaker, Nathaniel Kapaldo, Eduarda Bortoluzzi and David Rankin published, “Doppler ultrasound is more accurate than pulse oximeter plethysmography in the measurement of systolic arterial pressure from the median caudal artery in anesthetized dogs,” in the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Annual Staff Awards (iWeb login required)

High fives and a free meal attracted a large crowd to the sixth annual staff appreciation/awards luncheon hosted April 16 by the Staff Council. Twelve individuals were recognized in three different awards categories. See story for details.

Taylor McAtee, Ph.D. student with Dr. David Renter, attended the 2024 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference last week in San Antonio, Texas. She presented her poster titled "Growth performance, carcass characteristics, health, and mobility scores of finishing steers fed Experior (Lubabegron) or Optaflexx (Ractopamine Hydrochloride)," and she won an award in the highly competitive poster competition.

Dog N Jog 2024

The class of 2024 hosted the 29th Annual Dog N Jog April 13. More than 100 people participated and proceeds from the event will go to KSDS Assistance Dogs Inc. Thanks to everyone who participated this year!

Kudos to Dr. David Poole

We shared news in March about Dr. David Poole (center) being selected for this year's Dolph Simons Award in Biomedical Sciences. The award was presented April 11 at the Jayhawk Welcome Center in Lawrence. Above, Dr. Poole is congratulated by Chancellor Dr. Douglas Girod (left) and K-State President Richard Linton. Dr. Poole talks about his research in this YouTube video.

Professional animal-health development events at K-State Olathe

Animal Health Data Analytics and Insights (graduate certificate) | May 1, 12:30 p.m.
Skill in data analytics is a critical need for the growing animal health industry. The 15-credit hour Data Analytics and Insights in Animal Health Graduate Certificate is based on industry input and exclusively tailored to the animal health industry.

The Science of Communication: Setting Yourself Up for Success | May 22, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
A session on animal health and communication with Haley Larson, Ph.D., teaching assistant professor of animal health at Kansas State University's Olathe campus.

Visit the K-State Olathe events page for registration information.