This Fourth of July represents a big milestone for our country, and many of us will be celebrating it with our furry friends! Check out these tips to keep your pets safe, happy and healthy:
🌊 Never let your pets swim unattended, and choose a swimming location carefully. Stagnant bodies of water like small ponds can contain harmful bacteria and toxic algae.
🌡️ Dogs can overheat quickly! Keep them hydrated and provide a cool place to rest. Be mindful of hot pavement during walks.
🎆 Unless you’re certain your pets are OK with loud noises, it’s best to leave them at home for the fireworks show. A hiding place or wearable device such as an anxiety wrap or vest can help with nerves.
📱If you ever have concerns about your pets` well-being, don’t hesitate to contact your local veterinarian.
➡️ Check the link in our bio for more Fourth of July animal safety tips!
go.ncsu.edu/f6ga1by

When Michael and Lindsey Meredith paid an emergency visit to the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine with their German short-haired pointer, they left with bad news but with grateful hearts for the care Gus received in Raleigh.

The couple, who live in Cincinnati, Ohio, had been visiting relatives in Virginia Beach when Gus became lethargic and had difficulty shutting his mouth. After the Merediths transported Gus to Raleigh, Dr. Megan Gragg, a resident in neurology, took charge of the case and a few days later had the difficult task of telling the couple that Gus, whom they called their child, had lymphoma.

The Merediths recently honored Dr. Gragg for her caring ways with a Coat of Excellence, an NC State program that helps clients recognize clinicians, interns, residents or staff members who touched them and their pet’s life in a meaningful way.

“When Dr. Gragg came in, she was sitting on the floor crying with us, and that was pretty special, the relationship that we developed in like four or five days,” said Michael Meredith, who with wife Lindsey joined the celebration at the NC State Veterinary Hospital via Zoom. “We love you, Megan.”

Lindsey broke in, “We felt very seen and heard by you and so grateful that we were able to get the answers that so many people are never given with their pets and that`s why we wanted to honor you, Megan.”

An MRI and spinal tap had confirmed the diagnosis, which has a poor outcome in dogs, Gragg said, with survival time usually being a couple months.

“They were able to take that diagnosis and get back home and then they pursued chemotherapy in Ohio,” said Gragg, noting the Merediths had three more weeks of love with Gus. “To be recognized in this way feels really special. I think a lot of residency is kind of just putting your head down and grinding, and so being able to be recognized like this, I’m really grateful.”

#veterinarycare #veterinaryhospital #coatofexcellence #NCStateVetMed

Antimicrobial resistance has become a critical issue in veterinary medicine, and Kate Bessette`s research project is focused on ensuring that animal managers understand when and when not to prescribe antibiotics. During her last stretch, she traveled more than 800 miles to talk with focus groups of workers from five dairies — one that milks 8,000 cows a day! — across Texas and New Mexico about their knowledge of antibiotic use. 🐮 She`s picking up patterns now and is excited to compare her new information with what she gets next in Georgia and Florida.

"Seeing those trends develop from the two trips made our research goals feel tangible and reinforced the value of hearing directly from those who manage the care of our dairy cattle every day," she says.

Get the rest of her #FromtheField insights:

http://ncst.at/WkM150Zib8s

Calf raising and animal showing are just two of the things that Isabella Black has experienced this summer as an intern with Heritage Vet Partners, an agency that works with rural veterinary clinics in 28 states. The High Point, North Carolina, native spent some time helping at her hometown clinic before heading off on her large animal adventure.

In Indiana and Ohio so far, Black, part of our DVM class of 2028, has gotten plenty of practice in all things cow, calf, embryo and pregnancy check. In two days, her team of three pulled (delivered) and cleaned 20 calves in an aseptic manner, minimizing their exposure to as many germs as possible.

She`s had some fun with dogs, kittens and a pig, too.

Read her #FromtheField dispatch at the link in our profile. #vetstudent #summerinternship

Outer Banks native Sydney MacDonald has grown up around the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, NC.

Now, as a veterinary student at @NCState, she is determined to show that tournament-caught fish can be used for scientific data, giving lasting value to every fish that lands on the dock.

For the second year in a row, she took samples from tournament trophies, believing that her work can open a window into ocean health by setting a baseline for fish health that can be tracked over time — each year, in fact, at the tournament.

Find her dispatch From the Field at the link in our profile. @bigrocktournament @ncmarinefisheries

#FromtheField #veterinarystudent #aquaticresearch #fishdoctor #NCStateVetMed

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new space of quiet comfort for our NC State Veterinary Hospital clients and staff! 💗

The seeds of the new Ross C. Levin Quiet Room in Honor of Jake the Therapy Dog were planted 13 years ago when Levin walked into the hospital`s designated bereavement room and braced himself to hear a difficult diagnosis about his golden retriever Max.

Happily, Max`s cancer turned out to be benign, and the dog lived another three years. Since then, Levin has been joined by Jake, another golden he rescued and then trained as a therapy dog. 😻 The two have made more than 350 visits to hospitals, elder care facilities and other places in need of smiles.

Watching Jake`s presence completely transform a room sparked an idea in Levin, and he generously supported the complete renovation of the Quiet Room in honor of Jake, including portraits of the pup that he had commissioned.

Levin’s hope is that the space he found a bit cold 13 years ago is now as inviting as a warm blanket and more accurately reflects the kindness and compassionate care he has found at NC State.

“We’ve seen firsthand how even small acts of compassion can have an extraordinary impact on anyone facing a difficult moment, and that`s what this room represents,” Levin said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week. ✂️“May it soften difficult conversations, support healing and continue the tradition that makes the CVM and the Terry Companion Animal Medical Center so special.”

#givingback #generousdonors #ncstatevetmed #ncstateveterinaryhospital #RossLevin

Before Madison Henderson started her @boehringer_ingelheim fellowship supporting #ebola-fighting efforts at the @usdagov, she traveled to Peru, learning lessons in cultural competency that will stay with her throughout her veterinary career. 🗺️

"Cultural competence directly affects the human-animal bond by improving client communication, fostering trust and helping veterinarians navigate the unique cultural views individuals hold regarding animal care and end-of-life decisions," she says.

Don`t miss the rest of her Peru takeaways in her #FromtheField dispatch linked in our profile.

#vetstudent #culturalcompetency #ebolafight

🎉 Dogs 99 and 100 have been enrolled in our ground-breaking longitudinal study on canine aging — a milestone worth marking!🎉

The study, launched by Dr. Natasha Olby and colleagues in 2018, is following what happens to dogs as they age and has led to tools to measure decline, all of which has implications for aging and Alzheimer’s research in humans. 🔥

The study has also produced a biobank and database that could be used for scores of new research into canine diseases, with data already contributing to two other exciting NC State research projects!

Find a Q&A with Olby and get up to date on the research at the link in our profile!

#canineaging #doglover #doglife #geriatrics #alzheimersresearch #veterinaryresearch

Affirmation received. ❤️

#FromtheField correspondent Kate Bessette shares that her experience at her first dairy farm visit of the summer has already cemented her love of pursuing veterinary medicine, educating neighbors and serving diverse communities. 🐮

As a Veterinary Scholars Program participant, Kate is working with Dr. Derek Foster, professor of ruminant medicine, on a research project, using her Spanish skills to talk with workers in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico and California about their knowledge of prudent drug use in animals.

Find out what she`s learned at the link in our profile.

#FromtheField #studentresearch #VSP #dairyfarm #dairyworkers