Monthly Newsletter

Sydney the porcupine enjoys a treat at Manhattans's Sunset Zoo. Sydney was brought into the VHC with a skin condition that was successfully treated by the clinical staff.

In this case, the porcupine was diagnosed with Microsporum gypseum dermatophytosis, more commonly associated with household pets and referred to as ringworm. Hackworth’s article appeared in the most recent Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

“Sydney the porcupine was presented to us from Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo showing signs of unilateral pedal crusting and alopecic dermatopathy,” said Hackworth, who works in the zoological medicine and dermatology sections. “Testing revealed a fungal infection called M. gypseum. One of the zookeepers was suspected to have acquired a dermal fungal infection three days after contact with Sydney, which was quickly and successfully treated. From what we understand, this is the first report of M. gypseum diagnosed and treated in a captive North American porcupine, so zookeepers and veterinary staff should be aware of this potentially zoonotic infection.”

Scott Shoemaker, director of Sunset Zoo, said “Kansas State University and Sunset Zoo have had a long and excellent relationship. Their veterinarians provide first-class care for the animals in the zoos collection. This is just one more example of VHC veterinarians diagnosing and treating an infection that not only impacted our animal collection, but our staff as well.”

For the first nine days, the porcupine was administered topical treatments of miconazole, an antifungal medication. This was followed by oral doses of a second antifungal medicated called terbinafine.

“About four weeks after the initial examination, Sydney’s clinical signs were definitely improving, and fungal cultures of the front foot, muzzle, and noninfected area along the dorsum were negative for any indication of M. gypseum,” Hackworth said.

Examinations of the porcupine were conducted regularly after these treatments. More than 80 days after the initial evaluation, Hackworth said the clinical signs had completely resolved and repeat fungal cultures were negative.

“In this porcupine case, Christine was able to combine her clinical skills from her work in the dermatology service and the zoological medicine service,” said Dr. Eshar, assistant professor in companion exotic pets, wildlife and zoo animal medicine. “We are very fortunate to have her as part of the team. It is not easy to make the efforts to write a clinical report, but Christine’s drive to educate others goes beyond the limits of the veterinary college. All veterinarians working with all species are also in the frontline to alert the public on diseases that can potentially also harm people, and those working with zoo-kept animals are no exception to that.”

Dr. Katie Reif looks at an American dog tick under the microscope in her research lab.

Dr. Reif, who is a member of K-State’s Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, said, “We are interested in identifying novel strategies to combat ticks and tick-borne pathogens through studying the intrinsic and dynamic relationship between tick vectors and tick-borne pathogens. Projects in my lab range from understanding molecular mechanisms tick-borne pathogens employ to invade, adapt and replicate in tick cells, to more applied investigations of tick control methods. As infection of a single pathogen species or genotype is rare, we are also interested in how competition between co-infecting or resident microbiota effects pathogen establishment, maintenance and transmission from the tick vector.”

Integrated Animal Health, located in Lawrence, Kansas, has a mission is to identify difficult-to-deliver compounds that have already demonstrated safety and efficacy in humans and to develop therapeutics based on these validated compounds and targets for feed chain animals, companion animals, thoroughbred racehorses and other animal groups.

“We recently had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Reif when we conducted a tick symposium with the USDA and members of the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas USDA representatives,” said Dr. Blake Hawley, president and CEO of Integrated Animal Health. “During that meeting we learned of the impressive work of Dr. Reif and her mentor, Dr. Michael Dryden [parasitologist at Kansas State University]. We wish to see her work continue through the gift of this research funding.”

AVMA President Dr. Tom Meyer congratulates Dr. Hans Coetzee on being the recipient of the Animal Welfare Award.

"Dr. Coetzee is one of, if not the most highly respected professionals in the field of pain management in cattle and other animals," said Tom Meyer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "He has brought about enormous change in the livestock industry regarding awareness of pain and concern for managing painful procedures. His research and leadership have been instrumental in transforming the attitudes and practices of veterinarians, farmers and food animal practitioners. His commitment to the welfare of livestock animals is matched only by his commitment to the community of veterinarians and farmers he serves.

"I congratulate Dr. Coetzee on receiving this well-deserved award, and I thank him for his leadership, service and the tremendous impact he has had on the veterinary profession."

Dr. Coetzee is internationally recognized for his work in developing objective assessments of pain experienced by livestock animals during routine management procedures. He has secured approximately $9 million in research funding from federal, nonprofit and industry sources, and his expertise is sought by academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Dr. Coetzee has authored/co-authored 111 manuscripts, edited two books, and is author or co-author of eight book chapters. He has one U.S. patent for alleviating pain and improving performance during dehorning and castration (U.S 8,791,105 B2) and two additional patents pending. He has served on a variety of animal welfare committees and boards, and has been the recipient of many industry awards, including the 2014 American Association of Bovine Practitioners' Award of Excellence and the 2014 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence.

Dr. Coetzee earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Science in veterinary medicine from the University of Pretoria in South Africa and his doctorate in veterinary microbiology from Iowa State University. He also holds diplomate status from the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, the American College of Animal Welfare and the European College of Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law.

Dr. Elizabeth Davis presents award to Dr. David Biller.

“The Department of Clinical Sciences believes mentoring is critical to the growth of individual members and the department as a whole,” said Dr. Elizabeth Davis, interim department head. “Faculty mentors provide the foundation for development of the next generation of leading veterinary medical educators. The award allows our clinical residents and interns to honor faculty mentors who embody both the letter and spirit of mentoring. We congratulate Dr. Biller on this well-deserved award.”

Dr. Biller was nominated by Drs. Pax Harness and Katie Tucker-Mohl, who wrote, “Dr. Biller is deliberate with his demonstrated commitment to fostering intellectual, creative, scholarly and professional growth of mentees so they may function effectively with measurable success in the organization, resulting in career growth and personal development.”

Dr. Biller earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in 1980. In 2013, he was presented with the Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni Award by his alma mater. He was an intern at the New Haven (Connecticut) Hospital from 1980 to 1981. He was on the DVM Medical Staff at South Shore, Missouri from 1981 to 1984. Dr. Biller performed a residency in radiology at the Ohio State University from 1984 to 1987. He was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin from 1987 to 1991, an adjunct professor for the University of Prince Edward Island, and an assistant professor at Ohio State University from 1991 to 1994. Since then he has been at Kansas State University.

Dr. Roman Ganta is director of the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases.

“If someone has been bitten by a tick for the first time, they don't have to feel they will develop a red meat allergy,” Dr. Ganta said.

He explained how ticks feed on a nonhuman host, such as white tailed deer, that contain a particular type of carbohydrate, Alpha-gal, which is not present in humans. Over time, the build-up of alpha-gal in the human bloodstream will produce an immune [allergic] response when a person consumes meat, such as a steak, hotdog or hamburger. Dr. Ganta said the lone star tick seems to be more prevalent than it was 10 or 15 year ago.

“Its expansion is more linked to the white tailed deer spreading,” Dr. Ganta said. “It is because white tailed deer is the major host of this particular tick.”

So why are the deer spreading?

“Any time there's a rapid expansion, new construction, we're not restricting our own boundaries,” Dr. Ganta said. “We keep chopping all the wooded places, so they are adapting to the population in the city. It's very common in Manhattan, Kansas, where we live, to see white tail deer. Ticks will drop into the lawn, back yard or front yard, your own parks. Your children are not the only ones at risk.”

Dr. Ganta says other animals can be hosts for the lone star tick.

“You'd be surprised to know we see them a lot on wild turkeys,” Dr. Ganta said. “The wild turkey is also present in large numbers.”

How should people protect themselves?

“If someone spent some time outdoors, the first thing is to do a body search to make sure there are no ticks,” Dr. Ganta said. “Many people are used to using the bug repellent, so it’s a good idea to have some bug repellent to minimize the chance of having ticks. But, in any case, if you do the body search and if you don't find any ticks, then probably there’s a chance you don’t have any ticks. But there are times where you don’t see them. They can be small ticks. Sometimes, they hide in places where you will not notice them. They will go behind your ears or go in your hair, armpits or other places. And once you spot, you don’t have to feel panicked, if you see one, take a forcep and carefully pull it out straight. Put it in a Ziploc bag with a moist cotton ball and then present it to your health care or whoever is your doctor or nurse.”

Tips on avoiding tick bites are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Katie Reif, an assistant professor who collaborates with Dr. Ganta, shows a tray with tick larva in her lab, which is an affiliate with the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases.

Dr. T.G. Nagaraja examines a culture in a Petri dish.

In a study, CVM professor Dr. T.G. Nagaraja and ag professor Evan Titgemeyer and found that limonene, which is in lemon oil, and thymol, which is in thyme oil, help combat a harmful bacterium in cattle stomachs. The bacterium, Fusobacterium necrophorum, makes dietary protein less available to the animal.

The results have been published in the Journal of Dairy Science and the Journal of Animal Science.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance to minimize the use of some antibiotics in livestock. The FDA's guidance aims to avoid exposing people's food to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to Dr. Nagaraja, a university distinguished professor of microbiology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology.

As the researchers started studying alternative treatments to antibiotic use, one of their team members, Eman Elkaweel, who was then a graduate student in animal science, suggested a substance that was new to the professors.

"She wanted to test some products that might have the potential to be used in her home country of Egypt, so we contacted a company that sold products containing essential oil components," said Titgemeyer, who is a professor and graduate program director in the animal sciences and industry department.

With funding from DSM Nutritional Products Inc., which supplies nutritional solutions for animal health, Dr. Nagaraja and Titgemeyer tested five essential oil components: eugenol, guaiacol, limonene, thymol and vanillin. They wanted to determine the compounds' ability to inhibit growth of Fusobacterium necrophorum. Limonene and thymol performed best. Follow-up testing between the two showed that limonene was slightly more effective than thymol and nearly as effective as tylosin, a commonly used antibiotic and feed additive used to hinder bacterial growth and the incidence of liver abscesses in cattle.

"While livestock producers often turn to antibiotics, our study shows that some essential oils also can inhibit microbial growth," Titgemeyer said. "Certain essential oil compounds can target specific bacterial populations and optimize animal health."

VHC clinicians Drs. Susan Nelson, Neala Boyer and James Carpenter will be participating in a series of continuing education seminars at K-State Olathe from September to November.

The sessions are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 6 and are at K-State Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Dr. in Olathe. Each session covers a different topic and is instructed by veterinarians and faculty in Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Topics include exotic pets, pet welfare and career transitioning.

"We're excited to offer this lecture series to the Kansas City area veterinary medicine professionals, who provide such wonderful care for the health and well-being of our pets," said Paige Adams, D.V.M., research assistant professor of veterinary medicine at K-State Olathe.

Adams and Ralph Richardson, D.V.M., dean and CEO of K-State Olathe, helped coordinate the series content and speaker line-up.

Each one-hour education seminar begins with a casual meal followed by a presentation from faculty members in the university's College of Veterinary Medicine. Attendees will be able to network with colleagues and the university presenters.

One hour of continuing education credit is awarded at the end of each session. Participants can earn up to four hours of continuing education credit hours for attending the series. Participants can register for individual lectures at a cost of $50 per session or at $175 for the whole series — a $25 discount. Registering with the discounted price is only available through Sept. 1

The series includes the following topics and faculty members:

• Sept. 6 — "Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome," James Carpenter, M.S., D.V.M., Dipl. D.A.C.Z.M., professor

• Sept. 20 — "Interpreting pet food labels and calculating caloric needs of dogs and cats," Susan Nelson, D.V.M., clinical associate professor

• Oct. 10— "Veterinary career transitions: Thinking about a change?," Ralph Richardson, D.V.M., dean and CEO of K-State Olathe

• Nov. 8 — "Vaccine reactions: Understanding reaction severity, how to reduce risks and treatment options," Neala Boyer, D.V.M., clinical assistant professor

Registration and more information about each topic and speaker is available at olathe.k-state.edu/vetmedce.

Meet the scholars in the VRSP, including several visiting scholars from other veterinary colleges. From left: Julius Luvanga, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania; Kelley Black, Western University; third-year student Mollie Burton; third-year student Annie Sheu; Diana Luzuriago, Tufts University; third-year student Jennie Kim; Margherita Zecchin, Univeristy of Padova, Italy; second-year student Danielle Pickering; Asia Fernandes, Purdue University; second-year student Sarah Greenway; second-year student Emma Winkley; and third-year student Kainoa Johnson. Not pictured: second-year student Chester McDowell.

Julius Luvanga shares his research project with CVM veterinary scientists at the VRSP College Presentation.

Jennie Kim explains hypertonicity to Dr. Bruce Schultz.

From left to right: Stephen "Greenberg, head of rare books and early manuscripts with the National Library of Medicine in Washington, D.C., surprises VRSP scholars Chester McDowell, Julius Luvanga, Emma Winkley, a couple of scholars from Colorado State University, and Danielle Pickering with the first colored anatomy book in the library's collection.

The VRSP scholars tour CEVA Animal Health in Lenexa with Dr. Luka Popescu, DVM class of 2014 and current Ph.D. student (far left), and Hill's Pet Nutrition in Topeka.

Margherita Zecchin outlines changes in Protein Kinase C isoforms of Paclitaxel-treated tumors to scholars from Michigan State University at the NIH National Veterinary Research Symposium in Washington, D.C.

Asia Fernandes tells Dr. Peying Fong about her research on recombinant baculovirus expression of rift valley fever virus nucleoproteins.

Fourth-year student Chantal Girard works along side veterinarians and vaccination teams in Namibia for a four-week clinical rotation.

The project has been funded through the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) by the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as through a recurrent budget from the government of the Republic of Namibia under the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry. The overarching goal of the project is to eradicate dog-mediated human rabies through public education and canine vaccination, and in the process, strengthen veterinary services in the country, improve vaccination programs and disease surveillance, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration (One Health).

Between March 2016 and 2017, the program completed phase one, a pilot education, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study and vaccination campaign in a single region (state) of Namibia. The success of this pilot program was evaluated and then used to implement the program on a larger scale in several surrounding regions beginning in April 2017. The focus in April was public education related to canine rabies, human disease and safe animal handling. Beginning in May 2017, the canine vaccination campaign commenced, which is where I came in.

The objectives of my involvement were to 1) gain perspective on the planning and implementation of a rabies control strategy in an area affected by rabies, 2) better understand the cultural, social, financial and health implications of rabies in Namibia and what challenges these factors present to its eradication, and 3) make connections with the Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory, Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and OIE in hopes of spreading information to benefit the current project in Namibia, future NRCS projects, as well as the academic and research communities here at Kansas State University. Working alongside state veterinarians and trained veterinary health workers, my time in Namibia consisted of assisting in vaccination clinics out in the field, as well as visiting and observing state veterinary facilities, which included observation of both clinical practice and behind-the-scenes campaign organization and logistical planning.

My days vaccinating in the field began earlier than the sun, as I awoke each day in my government-issued tent among 24 other tents at our state veterinary facility campsite. Following a group breakfast, prayer and debrief from the previous day, our teams of three would load into white trucks with vaccine coolers and other supplies in hand and head out for the day. Our assigned locations varied greatly, from rural villages to urban centers, as did the pet owners, who arrived from all distances and backgrounds (and were of all ages) to have their pets vaccinated. Though the official language in Namibia is English, the native language of Oshiwambo was used far more often where we were working, which presented a unique opportunity for me to learn on the fly and, as a result, connect with the people I helped serve in a much deeper way. Nighttime at the camp was spent discussing the successes and challenges of the day and celebrating the progress made by sharing a meal of porridge over the campfire.

My days outside of fieldwork were spent in the state veterinary offices, catching a glimpse into what clinical practice looks like in Namibia (the majority of clinics are government-run rather than privately owned) and working on campaign business alongside the project leaders. In the clinic, which ran on a solely "walk-in" basis, clients and patients flooded the veterinary lobby throughout the day. With the more seasoned veterinarians running the rabies campaign, the newly graduated veterinarians juggled the majority of appointments during the day, and did so with efficiency and adaptability. I saw cases ranging from fly strike and infected abscesses in dogs to neurologic signs in calves and goats (which were considered rabies suspects) and everything in between. Aside from clinical observation, I also spent much of my time with Dr. Athingo, the veterinarian in charge of the NRCS, discussing the success of the pilot program, challenges that have been faced with the campaign, as well as the future of rabies eradication in Namibia.

The NRCS in Namibia is a prime example of One Health collaboration working toward a common goal of improving human and animal health on a national scale. The work being done behind the scenes by project leaders in project management, organization and training, as well as the vast efforts being made in the field by vaccination teams and regional veterinarians is truly impressive. The individuals involved in this project are on the very forefront of rabies eradication efforts. I firmly believe that with continued support from the Namibian government and the OIE, as well as continued persistence in addressing recognized challenges in the field, successful rabies eradiation is possible through the NRCS.

This project has allowed me to combine my interests in the clinical, sociological and public health aspects of international veterinary medicine through firsthand fieldwork on the front lines of rabies surveillance, control and intervention. Building my understanding of the impact of such a severe zoonotic disease at the community level has brought to light the reality of many topics I have studied in the classroom. Aside from the clinical veterinary education this project offered, my biggest learning opportunities stemmed from the interactions I had with the veterinarians, vaccination teams and the community members with whom I had the privilege of working alongside and serving. The opportunities to help educate pet owners about rabies, to participate in high-volume vaccination, and to discuss/analyze control strategy successes and areas for improvement with leaders in the field has helped me gain perspective on the important role veterinary medicine plays in zoonotic disease surveillance and control. The knowledge and perspective I gained in Namibia have helped me work toward the culturally aware and globally active veterinarian I hope to become.

Thanks to each of the individuals who helped make this experience a reality, particularly my mentor, Dr. Rauna Athingo, my adviser Dr. Keith Hamilton and Rachel Reichenberger of the CVM's International Programs office, and each of the veterinarians, animal health technicians and vaccination teams I had the honor of working alongside in Namibia. Thanks to all for the time and effort they dedicated to supporting this amazing opportunity and collaboration!

Additional thanks go to the following individuals/sponsors for their support in donating time and resources to the NRCS vaccination campaign:

• Dr. Susan Moore with the KSU Rabies Laboratory
• Dr. Tom Schwartz with the KSU Veterinary Health Center
• Jacob Kehler with MWI Animal Health

If you would like to learn more about the NRCS in Namibia and/or how you can become involved, please contact Chantal Girard at cmgirard@vet.k-state.edu. Chantal will also be giving a presentation on her experience in Namibia this fall at the CVM. Keep an eye out for the announcement of date/time if you are interested in attending!

Local children bring their animals to a vaccination site where Chantal and the team registered the pets and administered rabies vaccinations.

Dr. Steve Solomon

Steve Solomon, D.V.M., the new director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, and his team of division directors are kicking off the seminar series with "The Future Vision for FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine: Opportunities and Challenges in the Regulatory Process." It is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at K-State Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Drive in Olathe.

Dr. Solomon, who was appointed to the agency in January, will share about the organization moving forward under the new administration and also to get input and feedback from Kansas City area animal health professionals on opportunities for process and communication improvements.

At 10:30 a.m., a roundtable discussion with industry and federal leaders will focus on the opportunities and challenges in the regulatory process for pioneering drug discovery in animal health. Lunch will feature a presentation about the future vision for the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine. The final afternoon roundtable starts at 1:30 p.m. and will focus on the regulatory process of generic drugs.

The seminar is $75, which includes a lunch.

The Sept. 21 event is the first in a series of four seminars throughout the academic year that K-State Olathe is hosting for the animal health regulatory affairs community. The series is aimed at providing hot topic information in regulatory affairs and connecting industry with regulatory agencies.

Registration and more information about the seminar, including the roundtable panelists, is at olathe.k-state.edu/regaffairs.