Big Mamma

 Natalie Hildinger, Oklahoma State University

Creative Corner, Entry

Ethyl the Exotic Schnauzer

Allison Gedney, Oklahoma State

Foot In Mouth Disease, Honorable Mention

One evening during my first summer at a new small animal veterinary  clinic I answered the phone. After listening to the owners reason for calling I asked for the animals name and typed " Ethyl". This pulled up a Coatimundi listed in our computer system. Naturally it was about 7pm on a Friday night and we closed at 8pm. The owner requested a certain doctor to see her animal before closing however,that doctor was not in. I asked the owner if she wanted to see that specific doctor because of her animal being a "exotic", she replied yes. I put her on hold, walked calmly to the doctors desk and pulled up a picture of a Coatimundi on the computer and explained to her what the owners complaint was. The distressed doctor picked up the phone and talked to client starting off by saying" you know, I am really sorry but I've never even heard of let alone seen one of these before!"  The client paused then asked " you have never seen a dog before?!"  As it turns out I should have typed "Ethel" into the computer to find the correct animal, a miniature schnauzer. The doctor was humiliated, I was humiliated, and I learned the importance of getting a full history including the patients last name.

Sincerely,
Not allowed to work in reception anymore.

2013 AVMA Student Legislative Fly-In

The SAVMA Governmental Affairs Committee and Education and Professional Development Committee are offering a grant to veterinary students and veterinary student organizations to provide funding for awareness of the current financial concerns for veterinary students. Read to see how this grant helped send students to the fifth annual student fly-in, hosted by the AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division:

Sarah Fry, Tayler Foshee, and Stef Bolas
Oklahoma State University
Class of 2015 & 2014

On March 4^th & 5^th, 2013 we had the opportunity to attend the AVMA Student Legislative Fly-In in Washington D.C. This event occurs annually and allows students to learn about the legislative process. It shows the impact constituents can have on the legislative process and how to communicate with your congressmen to make a positive impact on your community and profession. As well as the alternative governmental career paths that veterinarians can pursue.

On the first day of the event, we learned about current legislation impacting veterinary medicine and what role the AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division plays in representing the veterinary profession on Capitol Hill. Two pieces of legislation were our focus for the Fly-in, the Horse Protection Act Amendment and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act Amendment. Most of the day was spent preparing for our meetings with our congressmen about these amendments. We also had the opportunity to learn about the AVMA Congressional Fellowship by speaking with a current and past fellow. They answered many of our questions about what it is like to work on Capitol Hill.

On the second day of the Student Legislative Fly-In, we each met with our respective congressional members. Walking through the legislative buildings and the Capitol building was an amazing experience. Before our meetings, we spoke with Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Representative Ted Yoho (R-FL). They are veterinarians who are currently serving in Congress. They offered their guidance for young people entering the veterinary profession and also shared their thoughts on the legislative process.

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Case Abstract

Paige Mackey
Oklahoma State University, '13

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF C-KIT PROTEIN IN CANINE CUTANEOUS PLASMACYTOMAS

*Paige E. Mackey (1), Catherine G. Lamm (2), and Gregory A. Campbell (3)

1 Department of Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK; 2 Veterinary Pathological Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK 3 Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.

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c-KIT is proto-oncogene that encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor, KIT, that is expressed by normal cells as well as various neoplasms in both humans and animals. Most notably, c-KIT expression is used for diagnosis and grading of canine mast cell tumors. In this study, immunohistochemistry was used to determine if c-KIT expression occurs in canine plasmacytomas...

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"Tubology" Wetlab

By: Alli Biddick

Oklahoma State University, Class of 2012

This Spring, the Oklahoma State University SVECCS Chapter was awarded a grant by SAVMA Education and Professional Development Committee to hold a wetlab for the students entitled "Tubology". We believe that SVECCS provides students with an invaluable opportunity to get practice with hands-on techniques. We strive to teach students how to do practical things in a clinic setting (that they won't get to do in class), with an emphasis on emergency techniques! The wetlab was held on Saturday, November 13, 2010. Thirteen students attended, with the majority being first and second year veterinary students. We had four instructors present: three clinicians in our teaching hospital (Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital) and the head RVT at the teaching hospital.

We had cadavers set up at four different stations. At one station, the students learned how to properly place and suture chest tubes. This is vitally important for animals who present with pneumothorax and are in need of emergency chest evacuation! The next station was set up to allow students to practice inserting urinary catheters into male and female dogs (a technique every veterinarian will learn to love). The third station was all about esophagostomy tubes! This is a very important procedure in critically ill animals who cannot eat on their own. The final station, led by our head RVT, taught the students how to place central lines in the jugular vein of dogs. The students had so much fun learning about the various "tubes" and when they are indicated. The lab was a great hit for all who attended! The students feel they now possess extra knowledge that will help them when they are working this summer, when they are fourth year students, and of course throughout their career! OKSTATE SVECCS would like to thank SAVMA EPDC for helping make this lab possible!!