What We ve Been Up To

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Clyde Wilson
5 years ago
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2 Pre Vet Experience Name: Misha Where was it? Lunenburg Veterinary Hospital Was it a Job, Internship, or Volunteer position? Job How long were you/have you been there? All summer and 4 weeks of winter break What did you do there? Started out cleaning everything all the time, but eventually I performed the same duties as a vet tech- holding the animals for the doctors, taking care of the computer work, occasionally taking blood. What species did you work with? Dogs, cats (obviously), chickens, Canadian geese, bearded dragons, skinks, turtles, tortoises, parakeets, conures, chinchillas, sugar gliders, ferrets, gerbils, potbelly pigs, teacup pigs, and wildlife What did you enjoy most about the experience? The variety of animals and how knowledgeable the veterinarians were, never afraid to take on a new species. Any additional comments? It was a phenomenal experience, and any clinic that doesn t only do small animals is definitely more interesting and worth shadowing at.

3 What We ve Been Up To

4 What can I do with my DVM? Another avenue possible for graduated veterinarians is large animal medicine. Now, this has its pro's and con's, just like any other job. For people who do not like to sit inside in a stifling office, and like the open road this is perfect- most large animal veterinarians are ambulatory, meaning they come to you. Large animal veterinarians mostly deal with livestock animals: cows, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, pigs, etc. It is very important to realize three things though. 1. This job will almost certainly pay less, as most people do not have the emotional attachments or funds to keep a large animal alive. 2. This job is incredibly physically demanding, as you are working with stubborn animals, weighing many more times your own weight, all who want to do their own thing. And 3. You need to be prepared for anything, and the problem there is that all you have is what you've brought in your van. This being said, many large animal vets have companion dogs and couldn't be happier.

5 Important Dates- February February 3, 2014 (Monday) First Meeting/Iditarod Talk Location: Rudman G89. Time: 8:00pm. Description: Come here about all the exciting activities your new officer team has planned for the club this semester and give us input on our overnight trip! Also Dr. Fleetwood will being doing a talk on the Iditarod Race, which she used to be the veterinarian for! February 11, 2014 (Tuesday) Second Meeting/Meet & Greet Location: Rudman G89. Time: 8:00pm. Description: At the second regular meeting of the month, along with a preview of the semester, we will be joined by the newest member of the NHVDL, Dr. Shannon Martinson! Hopefully you can come to give her a warm welcome to Wildcat Country! February 24, 2014 (Monday) Ross Representative Visit Location: Rudman G89. Time: 8:00pm. Description: Ross and UNH have a great relationship and she is one of the Representatives that always loves coming to speak to UNH. So bring any questions you might have about the application process or curriculum and learn about a great option for vet school! Remember that even if you don t think Ross is for you, hearing about more schools and the different things they have to offer is always helpful! February Field Trip Body World Boston Location: Faneuil Hall. Date/Time: TBA. Description: For those of you who remember the Body Works Exhibit that traveled through the Boston Museum of Science years ago, this is very similar. This exhibit consists of bodies that were donated to science and are now on display at Faneuil Hall, depicting the distress and disease that can occur to the body, as well as the strength and resilience of the body. This will be an exciting and interesting trip and we hope you can join us on it!

6 Keep Your Feathers On! It s Only Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is a Circoviridae virus that attacks the bird s immune system, which causes the feathers and beak to weaken and form abnormalities. This virus has been found frequently in African Grey parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, Lovebirds, Lories and Lorikeets, Eclectus parrots, and Buderigars (Avian). The incubation period is approximately within days before clinical signs appear. By this time, the infection has already become severe. Young birds, less than two years of age, are more vulnerable to fatality. Since the disease attacks the immune system, most young birds die of fatal infections due to the absence of feathers. Their exposed skin becomes easily accessible for bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections (Avian). Because of their weekend immune system, young birds infected with PBFD are susceptible to other viral infections. Symptoms of PBFD include the loss of powder down, which are small feathers that grow continuously and act as an insulator and conditioner (The Cornell). Other possible symptoms are loss of feathers, glossy beak, lesions on the beak, peeling of the beak and nails (brittle), rapid weight loss, loss of appetite and depression. Breaking and bleeding of the feathers, follicle damage, and other malformations or abnormalities are common signs of PBFD (Avian). Transmission of the disease occurs through direct contact of inhalation or ingestion of feather dust, infected stools, and any surfaces or utensils that are contaminated (Avian). Prevention of PBFD includes isolation of the individual birds, and the Immunocomb test should be performed for each bird at least twice. This will help detect if the birds are infected with the Chlamydophila psittaci bacteria through the testing of immunity levels and antibodies within the blood (Biogal). Other diagnosis of the disease is through a skin or feather biopsy that is sent to the lab by the veterinarian. The sample is tested to see if the shaft of the feather(s) contains PBFD viral bacteria (Avian). After the bird has been tested, the bird should then be placed in quarantine, isolated from other birds, and retested 2-3 months after the initial test to ensure that the results are positive or negative. Treatment of PBFD includes a series of injections of an antibiotic, Doxycycline; however, there is no cure to the disease.

7 Interview Section Mark E. Stamoulis DVM ACVIM(Cardiology)is a New England Veterinary Specialist and a native Rhode Islander. He travels to various clinic to examine pets suffering from heart problems as well as other problems that cannot be seen through typical radiographs. He performs ultrasounds to further explore internal problems that threaten the health of an animal. Peyton Waddicor: What does a typical work day include for you? Mark Stamoulis: My typical day includes doing 20 or so internal medicine/cardiology consults at various clinics around southeastern New England. P.W: When and how did you decide to specialize in animal cardiology? M.S: I decided to specialize in veterinary cardiology during my internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. I was fascinated by the advent of echocardiography and interventional cardiology. P.W: Where did you receive your undergraduate and graduate degrees? M.S: I received my bachelors of science degree from Brown University in Providence Rhode Island, received my doctor veterinary medicine from Tufts University, I did a internship and residency in cardiology at the animal medical center in New York City and remained there for postdoctoral year. PW: What was your favorite course in college? M.S: I had two favorite courses at Brown - one was in oceanography course and the other was an independent study in Classics. P.W: What was your career plan when you began college? M.S: My career path when I began college was to be a veterinarian or a pediatrician. Please describe your most interesting case as a veterinarian. M.S: One of my most interesting veterinary cases was when I consulted on a penguin with heart disease at the Mystic Aquarium. P.W: What advice do you have for current pre-veterinary majors or college students in general? M.S I would advise all college students to have a realistic outlook the cost of their intended graduate education, the demands of their intended job, and the projected job climate.

8 Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine Admissions: Tuition: 55,287 (24,233 in-state) (May apply for in-state after first year) Indirect Fees for all students (Living, books, board): 15,934 Seats: 133 can vary (The University s goal is 40% in-state and 60% out-of-state) Application: 3 Major Steps: Academic Background (Tiered for Overall GPA, Science GPA, OR GRE score), Experience Background and References/Interview Areas of Importance: Interview, Animal Experience (Diverse range including hands-on) GRE is required. GRE score will place in top tier if >75%, 2nd tier if >60% GPA: Require 3.0, Tier 1 = >3.5, Tier 2 = >3.2, Tier 3 <3.2 Science GPA: Tier 1 = >3.7, Tier 2 = >3.5, Tier 3 <3.2 Courses: No additional courses are required that BMS:MVS is required to take to graduate. Area/Climate: Pullman, Washington. Population: 29,799 Campus is in secluded area like UNH. Pullman Campus has over 21,000 students and is located 4.5 hours from Seattle. Over 55 clubs and student organizations. Diversity is wide spread. Scheduled Tours and Annual Open House available for visiting. For more info:

A few things that a small animal vet will do include:

A few things that a small animal vet will do include: What s Inside? Meet the officers (new and old!) Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Gas Bubbles Disease Small Animal Veterinary Medicine Upcoming Events Interview with Sarah Walstad Photos