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February 2016 - Vol. 11, No. 2

Top Stories

Vida Volunteers

CVM students volunteer on service trip to Nicaragua - by Chantal Girard, class of 2018

Vida volunteersOn Jan. 3, 2016, I was part of a group of K-State veterinary and pre-veterinary students who traveled to Managua, Nicaragua, to embark on a service trip with the non-profit organization, Vida Volunteer. The mission of our trip was to 1) provide health examinations and spay and neuter services to pets and livestock in underprivileged communities, 2) spread knowledge regarding animal health and welfare, and 3) gain invaluable clinical experience and an understanding of the role of veterinary medicine in developing regions.


Kansas State University research on swine disease featured as debut cover art on American Society for Microbiology journal

CVI coverPurple and lavender patterns are common at Kansas State University and are now part of the debut cover art for an international academic journal thanks to a team of swine disease researchers. Dr. Megan Niederwerder, assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology and Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was the lead author on an article about vaccination and infection of two porcine viruses in the December 2015 issue of Clinical and Vaccine Immunology.

Video: Researcher Profile

Dr. Fernando Pierucci-Alves

Dr. Fernando Pierucci-Alves seeks to understand how disruptions in transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-signaling leads to infertility associated with antisperm antibodies and leukocytospermia.


Video produced by Joseph Chapes and Kent Nelson, technology coordinators from
Computing and Technical Support (CATS). See more CVM videos at our YouTube site: youtube.com/KSUCVM

AAVMC names former Dean Ralph Richardson its recipient of 2016 Recognition Lecture Award

Former Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (KSU-CVM) Dean Dr. Ralph Richardson has been chosen to deliver the 2016 Recognition Lecture at the Association of American Veterinary Medical College’s (AAVMC’s) 2016 Annual Conference on Friday, March 4.

More Headlines

Diagnostic research, vaccine work are key to controlling Zika virus outbreak

With the Zika virus outbreak growing, a Kansas State University infectious disease expert says that research is crucial to combating this outbreak and preventing the spread of other mosquito-borne viruses.

Hot Topic: Proper nutrient supplementation and vaccination programs can help prevent losses in calving herds

Cattle grazing

In the midst of the spring calving season, beef producers could experience calf losses due to late-term abortions and stillbirths. Although it might seem that there is an increase in the number of calf abortions occurring, a certain number of them are a regular part of the calving season, according to Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek, director of production animal field investigations at the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Bonus Video: Veterinary Technician Internship Program

Learn about the Veterinary Health Center's veterinary technician internship program in this bonus video feature.

Regular features

Alumni Events and Continuing Education

VMAA logo Watch video of Dr. Max Moss on his induction into the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame, plus see our new monthly "In Memoriam" feature to help keep you updated on dearly departed classmates and friends of the college.

Pet Friendly License Plate program in Kansas

The College of Veterinary Medicine has a new way to support shelter medicine in Kansas. The Pet Friendly license plate is available to Kansas residents statewide by visiting your local Kansas county treasurer's office.

Pet Friendly license plate

Veterinary Medical Library: Print Graphics offers variety of new services

One of the many benefits of the recent renovation of the Veterinary Medical Library is that Print Graphics now has a large dedicated space. Susie Larson who is the library’s print graphics designer provides many services for our current faculty, staff, students and others. Not only will she print or copy, she will also help design postcards, brochures, booklets, bookmarks, personal business cards, and invitations for graduation, weddings, birth announcements, and other special occasions. Binding services are also provided whether it be binding one’s class notes or reformatting a favorite cookbook into a spiral binding that lies flat for easy reading.

News Ticker

More activities and accomplishments in the College of Veterinary Medicine:

Dr. Bob Larson presented at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in San Diego, California on the topics of BVD and Trich Consult.

Dr. Mike Apley spoke at these following events: 2016 Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the topics of: Antibiotic Resistance, AB Regulations in the U.S., and Veterinary Economics; Nebraska Cow/Calf Meeting at Clay Center, Nebraska. Topics: Veterinary Feed Directives and Antibiotics; Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association in Kearney, Nebraska. Topics: Regulations, Antibiotic Resistance, and the Veterinary Feed Directives; National Dairy Expo in Springfield, Missouri; SE Kansas Veterinary Medical Association meeting, in Chanute, Kansas; Sioux Center, Iowa;, Iowa Cattlemen Meeting in Carroll, Iowa. Topics for all meetings: the Veterinary Feed Directives for upcoming changes in regulations.

Dr. Ken Harkin spoke at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida on the topics of Canine Leptospirosis, Fever of Unknown Origin, Canine Neosporosis, Feline Histoplasmosis, and Nasal Aspergillosis.

Dr. April Haynes presented at the Kansas State University Olathe campus on, "A Day in the Life of a Surgeon." This lecture was open to area high school students, parents, teachers and the general public.

Cindy Bryant and Kendra Holthaus, both of the Veterinary Health Center Dispensary, recently took and passed their national exam to become licensed Pharmacy Technicians.

Dr. Chris Blevins wins Bud Newell Award from Kansas Horse Council

Dr. Chris Blevins and Dr. Justin Janssen

Congrats to Dr. Chris Blevins, associate professor with the Equine Field Service, who was awarded the Bud Newell Award by Kansas Horse Council President, Dr. Justin Janssen (a 1972 DVM alum), at the KHC's annual meeting on Jan. 30. The award is in honor of the founder of the Kansas Horse Council, Bud Newell, and recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding service to the council and to the Kansas equine industry. Dr. Blevins served for six years on the KHC Board of Directors and practices at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. He also hosts a weekly segment on Ag in the AM featuring equine topics. Over 100 attendees at this year's annual meeting reviewed the 2015 activities and accomplishments of the Kansas Horse Council. Following lunch, Equifest Manager Ann White discussed the Topeka debut of Equifest of Kansas and led the group on a tour of the new facilities.

Exotics Team teaches ‘Zoo Sprouts’

Working with a stuffed animalThe Zoological Medicine Team and three senior veterinary students hosted a workshop for "Zoo Sprouts" at the Veterinary Clinic at Manhattan's Sunset Zoo. Zoo Sprouts are 3-4 year old students enrolled in a nature-based pre-kindergarten day care program at the zoo. As part of their science experience, the children participated in examining and bandaging their stuffed animals under the supervision of the veterinary team. This experience benefited the children, and allows the CVM to get an early start in training the next generation of K-State veterinarians. All the children indicated that they wanted to be zoo veterinarians.

Dr. James Carpenter hosts a workshop at the Sunset Zoo

Dr. David Eshar attended a Zoo Animals Welfare Workshop while in Israel. The workshop was given by a speaker from the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), taking place at the Jerusalem Zoo in Israel and attended by zoo keepers and veterinarians from all the major Israeli zoos. He also helped a colleague veterinarian and nature reserve rangers capture and treat sick Persian Fallow deer fawns who needed veterinary care (see photo below). Fallow deer used to naturally inhabit the Mediterranean woodlands of the Middle East. However, deforestation, hunting and other human-related activities had brought this species to near extinction. Due to the efforts of the Israeli Nature authorities and several Israeli zoos, breeding herds of this Fallow deer are now releasing animals back to the wild as part of a national reintroduction program.

Dr. David Eshar with a fallow deer

R.I.P Dr. Gordon Andrews

Dr. Gordon AndrewsDr. Gordon Allan Andrews, age 62, passed away Jan. 17, 2016, at Stormont Vail Medical Center, Topeka, Kansas. He was born on October 13, 1953 in Batavia, New York the son of Gordon and Barbara (Oaks) Andrews. After graduating from Batavia high school in 1971, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1975, and his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1984. Gordon then practiced in general and emergency veterinary medicine in New Jersey. In 1987 Gordon entered Kansas State University earning his doctorate in anatomical pathology in 1991, completing his residency in veterinary pathology in 1992. He was boarded and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 1993. He was a Professor of diagnostic pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University for 22 years.

You can see his full obituary here: http://www.ymlfuneralhome.com/obituary/5576

Arrow Coffee now serving in basement of Trotter Hall!

Arrow Coffee

New Arrivals/Recent Departures

Lifelines is published each month by the Marketing and Communications Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The editor is Joe Montgomery, jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu.

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