Cutest Pet

Submitted by Giselle La Hoz, University of Florida

Photography

"Pollination in Progress"

Submitted by Rachael Lahar, University of Illinois

Student Case Study

Multifocal fungal osteomyelitis caused by Talaromyces spp in a dog

Lauren Bynum, Gwendolyn Levine, Lindsey Gilmour, Clark Broughton, Karen Russell, Beth

Boudreau, Stephanie Lovell, Sara Lawhon

Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract:

A nine year old, female spayed Great Dane presented to the Texas A&M Veterinary

Medical Teaching Hospital with a history of chronic neck and shoulder pain and progressive

hindlimb ataxia. MRI of the cervical spinal cord revealed multiple aggressive bone lesions of the

cervical vertebrae and right scapula, with lymphadenopathy of the right axillary, right superficial

cervical, sternal, and cranial mediastinal lymph nodes. Thoracic radiographs were consistent with

MRI findings. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspirates of lymph nodes and a right scapular mass

were prepared with modified Wright’s stain. Right superficial cervical lymph node cytologic

findings revealed a mildly reactive lymph node with moderate macrophagic inflammation and

poorly staining fungal hyphae. The fungal hyphae were septated, 5-6 um in diameter with varied

lengths and a thin 1-2 um non-staining wall, and some displayed branching. The right scapular

mass contained marked macrophagic and mild neutrophilic inflammation and fungal hyphae

morphologically similar to those found in the right superficial cervical lymph node. The

cytologic findings were consistent with disseminated fungal infection. An Aspergillus antigen

EIA for detection of Aspergillus galactomannan was negative. A panfungal PCR showed the

presence of Talaromyces species closely related to Talaromyces borbonicus. Fungi of the

Talaromyces genus have been reported to cause granulomatous arthritis and focal osteomyelitis

in two dogs, but this is the first case to demonstrate evidence of a severe multifocal presentation.

This patient was not known to be immunocompromised prior to clinical signs.

HSVMA Scholarship Opportunity

2022 SAVMA John Pitts Award Winner

2022 SAVMA John Pitts Award for Distinguished Student Service 

Recipient: Mona Bandyopadhay, Michigan State University Class of 2023

Mona Bandyopadhyay is a 3rd year veterinary student at Michigan State University. She is from Saline, MI and completed her B.S. in Animal Science from Michigan State. Mona served as President of the MSU SAVMA Chapter and took on various other leadership positions over the past few years. Recognizing the importance of leadership and teamwork in this field has always encouraged her to pursue impactful roles and build connections within the veterinary community. During her time as MSU SAVMA President, Mona was a strong advocate for improving student wellbeing and established a stronger relationship between the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association and MSU CVM. On a national level, she was a member of the SAVMA Ventilation Depopulation Task Force and proposed ways to address the significant effects of increased faculty loss at numerous veterinary schools across the country. The opportunities and friendships gained from her involvement in SAVMA are deeply cherished. She has a strong passion for Large Animal Internal Medicine and Academia with hopes of teaching future veterinary students. Mona enjoys traveling, playing music, cooking/baking, photography, and taking naps with her two cats, Twyla and Tizzy.

Award information

Criteria:
This award is established to honor a veterinary student who has provided exemplary service to the veterinary profession. The John Pitts Award for Distinguished Service is open to any veterinary student who is a member in good standing with SAVMA at the time the award is presented.

Honorees will receive roundtrip airfare, lodging, and registration for the Annual SAVMA Symposium where they will be presented with a statuette. In addition, the honoree’s name and school will be engraved on a plaque commemorating the John Pitts Award for Distinguished Service, which is displayed at AVMA Headquarters in Illinois alongside other distinguished members of the veterinary profession.

In recognition of Dr. John L. Pitts' service to SAVMA:
While still in veterinary school John served as President-elect of the University of California-Davis SAVMA. In 1969 he chaired a committee that was instrumental in creating SAVMA as an autonomous organization and enabling what were once isolated student chapters to function effectively as a single unit on the national scene. Honoring his contri- butions to veterinary students, in 2006 SAVMA established the Dr. John Pitts Distinguished Service Award which recognizes leadership exhibited by veterinary students.