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Our newsletter highlights the bright minds, innovative research and state-of-the-art medicine at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
PHOENIX RISES: Over the past 34 years, Cynthia Van Der Wiele`s constant companion has been her citron-crested cockatoo, Phoenix.
Van Der Wiele adopted Phoenix while attending @ncstate. It was fitting, then, that Phoenix was referred to #NCStateVetMed when a previously removed mass on her head started to regrow in spring 2023.
NC State veterinarians diagnosed Phoenix with squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, and sought an effective treatment when the cancer resisted surgery and radiation. In-house exotic animal oncology experts proposed an innovative topical treatment that has kept the carcinoma from growing.
Financial support from @petcolove and the Blue Buffalo Pet Cancer Treatment Fund helped make it all possible.
“Treatment for cancer in exotics is definitely challenging to begin with, so to take away the financial hardship for these owners to let them try these new, state-of-the-art treatments, it’s amazing,” says Dr. Tara Harrison, associate professor of exotic animal medicine and lead investigator of the Exotic Species Cancer Research Alliance.
Read Phoenix`s story at the link in our profile.
FACES OF #NCSTATEVETMED: ANNA. We`d like to introduce you to some of the amazing people who keep @ncstatevetmed running! Meet Anna - anesthesia extraordinaire. ✨
1️⃣ What’s your name and what’s your position at #NCStateVetMed?
Anna McClour. I am the Lead Anesthesia Veterinary technician in the anesthesia department. Currently, I am helping restructure the training program within the anesthesia department and throughout the hospital.
2️⃣ What’s your favorite part of your job?
I anesthetize all types of species from the smallest rabbit to the largest draft horse for many different procedures, while being able to teach veterinary students & technicians all about anesthesia.
3️⃣ If you could become any animal, what would you be and why?
If I could be an animal, I’d be a giraffe, even though I’m relatively short. Giraffes thrive in open savannas and adapt to different environments, symbolizing freedom and self-sufficiency. They also live in loose herds, striking a balance between independence and community—able to stand alone when needed, but enjoy connection when desired.
4️⃣ Do you have a pet? If so, what kind and what are they like?
Oh boy, do I have pets! I have four dogs and a kitty named Ivory. I’ve always had a soft spot for misunderstood breeds. My curly tail crew includes Kira, a Belgian Malamute/Chow Chow mix; Bear, an Akita mix; Donut, a Pomeranian (named by my 4-year-old at the time); and the newest addition, Teddy Spaghetti, another Pomeranian I inherited. I used to think I was strictly a big dog person, but since getting Donut, I’ve fallen in love with small dogs—especially Pomeranians! They may be tiny, but they’ve got a big dog personality. Lately, all my coworkers know to call me if there’s a Pomeranian in the hospital, because I can’t resist going to snuggle them!
`BIEN DANS SA PEAU`: When Dr. Mickaël Pinto interviewed for a dermatology internship at #NCStateVetMed in fall 2021, the French veterinarian was delighted to learn how warmly the College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed international trainees.
Now in the second year of a dermatology residency, Pinto has become "bien dans sa peau" — comfortable in his skin — thanks to learning experiences and mentorship opportunities across the college and Veterinary Hospital.
"I feel like this is the place to be," he says.
Get the skinny on Pinto, our final featured house officer of 2024, at the link in our profile.
IN BLACK AND WHITE. A recent CT scan at #NCStateVetMed showed that Dwight, an African penguin, had been walking unsteadily because he had a bone infection in his spine. Our partners at the @greensborosciencecenter brought Dwight to Raleigh so that our exotic animal experts and state-of-the-art equipment could help determine why he was walking with an odd gait. Dwight was treated with acupuncture and is being treated with antibiotics and antifungals, and we`re happy to report that he is on the mend! Our exotics and avian experts are available to treat all sorts of animals and pets. From parrot wellness exams to penguin CTs, we`ve got you covered.
HANDS-ON LEARNING: Our #NCStateVetMed students closed out the fall semester by participating in fast-paced, intensive courses for specialized learning in topics ranging from animal welfare and neuroscience research to equine anesthesia and minimally invasive surgery techniques. The weeklong courses allow students to explore their interests and engage in extra hands-on experiential learning.
Take a quick look at some of what our students learned during their selectives over the last two weeks.
Students in the mobile selective hospital spent time in Washington, North Carolina. Under the direction of John Ladner, the college’s mobile hospital operations coordinator, students worked with community members to spay and neuter nearly 60 free-roaming cats. In addition to honing their veterinary medical skills, students learned how to work with volunteers and communities to address challenges.
In the “Global Hot Topics in Shelter Animal Welfare” selective led by Dr. Monique Pairis-Garcia, students visited animal shelters in Wake and Orange counties to learn from veterinarians at the community frontline of animal well-being. Veterinarians from Mexico, Ecuador and Brazil also virtually conferenced in to lend Latin American perspectives on shelter animal welfare.
Led by Dr. Kelly Meiklejohn, an associate professor of forensic biology, the “Crime Scene to Courtroom” selective introduced students to collecting forensic evidence from crime scenes, performing animal exams and creating medical reports to help students better understand cases of animal abuse and neglect.
P.S. We`re so proud of you all! Congrats on the end of the semester and enjoy your holiday break. See you in the new year! 🎉
AT THE FOREFRONT. Dr. Gustavo Machado, associate professor of emerging and transboundary diseases at #NCStateVetMed, has led the research and design of a cloud-based computer program that is critical to a #USDA plan to begin tracking the movement of swine across the United States next year. More than 15,000 swine farms across 23 states already have registered to use RABapp, which will help stop the spread of deadly diseases. Read more at the link in our profile. #biosecurity #swineindustry #problemsolvers #innovators
LESSONS IN GOAT GASTRONOMY: Ruminants, like fainting goats Stella and Dolly, love to eat things they shouldn’t. When these gutsy girls got into hard-to-stomach snacks on not one, but two occasions this year, #NCStateVetMed farm animal experts were only a call away.
“When I called and heard NC State’s vets say, ‘How soon can you be here?’ I had a sliver of peace,” says owner Jan Hight. “That just was so comforting."
But what was causing these therapy goats` indigestion? Read how our ruminant experts pieced together the puzzle at the link in our bio.
RURAL SCHOLARS APP: NOW OPEN! #NCStateVetMed`s Randall B. Terry Jr. Rural Veterinary Scholars Program is coming back this summer - and applications are due by January 6, 2025.
With the number of practicing food animal veterinarians in decline, we`re working on connecting interested students with livestock veterinarians in rural areas and giving them the mentorship and support to pursue careers in this specialization.
Learn more about the 10-week program and submit your application using the link in our bio.
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