SPRING 2006 Contents Pg. 2 AnimaLIFE editor’s column Pg. 4 VMTH Director’s column The two words “animal” and “life” share the “L” because— Animals provide life lessons for future generations. just like our pets—they are a seamless part of our lives. Pg. 5 VMTH Vet profile Dr. Shelie Laflin is a large animal veterinarian whose biggest job is at home. The purpose of an editor’s column is to lay the foundation for the articles in a publication. Typically, I have followed that format but will break from tradition and write about what’s Pg. 6 Seize the Day Pg. 10 Blast from in the hospital but does not exist on paper. the Past Sgt. Bill Gollner People come to the hospital because it is often the last hope for a cherished pet or thought it would Fossil discovery companion animal. Many clients leave jubilant, others leave with only memories. Here, be a crime to put fuels VMTH one quickly learns about the human-animal bond and the pain of pet loss. This is down Riko, his radiologist and KU something I’ve experienced firsthand. But what has surprised me was learning all the crime-fighting paleontologist to things animals are not. They aren’t always well, they aren’t always able to be cured and partner. learn more about they aren’t with us long enough. our past and future. I have witnessed overworked clinicians remain with grieving pet owners, gently petting the animal as family members share stories. I have watched as veterinarians who are off clinics comfort families, answer medical questions and offer the most important kind of support: the genuine kind that Pg. 12 Bucking the Odds Pg. 15 Caring Program is gladly there if needed. This buckskin Lou and Norma We are blessed to have these show horse shows Jane Ball loved compassionate professionals his mettle after their cats so much mentoring tomorrow’s suffering a they started a veterinarians. To watch senior devastating head program to ensure veterinary students treat injury. them of a long, patients with dignity and happy and comfortable life. Patrice Scott, “AnimaLIFE“ editor, with a Dogo respect, to see students sit in Argentino puppy. cages with patients while reading textbooks, to listen as students call worried owners Pg. 16 National Treasure Pg. 19 Referring Vet and provide an update that means the world to them is VMTH client Audrey Yadrich went home without Eagles are known Dr. J.D. Fink keeps truly something to behold. her beloved dog, Tracy. However, she left for their sharp busy with six kids comforted by the compassionate care Tracy vision. But what and a solo I guess what I’m trying to received from senior student Annie Noeller. happens when they practice. quantify is the heart of the are handicapped? hospital. Believe me, it’s there, it’s real, and it doesn’t miss a beat thanks to the extraordinary faculty, students and staff. Enjoy your animals. Enjoy your gifts and take to heart the underlying message in this magazine, Seize the Day. Please call me if you’d like to share your story. W About the Cover All the best, Riko and his handler, Sgt. Bill Gollner, enjoy every day together. Cover photo by Dave Adams. Patrice Scott Editor Photography Publisher Marketing and Development Officer Patrice Scott Instructional Technology Center AnimaLIFE is published by the All rights reserved. Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital 1700 Denison Ave., College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medical Teaching Contents of this 1700 Denison Ave., 103 Trotter Hall 103 Trotter Hall Kansas State University Hospital at Kansas State Manhattan, KS 66506-5601 Dave Adams University, Manhattan, KS 66506. magazine may not be reproduced Manhattan, KS 66506-5601 785.532.4046 Patrice Scott For advertising information in any manner without the written Phone: 785.532.4046 [email protected] Brennan Engle contact Patrice Scott at consent of the publisher. Email: [email protected] Personal family photos 785.532.4046. AnimaLIFE / pg. 2 AnimaLIFE / pg. 3 Your Vet View s I was visiting with youngsters at A the teaching hospital during the university’s Open House in April, it struck me that “AnimaLIFE” provides an Left: Dr. Shelie Laflin performs an ultra- excellent opportunity for us to positively influence the sound on a bull belonging to VMTH client next generation. There are so many important life lessons Twig Marston. that can be taught by the example we set as we interact Center: The Laflin family, husband R.D., and with animals. In this issue of “AnimaLIFE,” we present twin sons, Agustus and Colt. more heartwarming stories about people and animals. As Below: Roscoe, a Red Angus bull, receives you read these pages, please consider sharing these sto- an examination by Dr. Laflin while she’s expecting the twins. ries with youngsters. Many important life lessons are here Engle Photo by Brennan if we take advantage of them. Dr. Shelie Laflin—improving quality We are excited about the progress of the ICU/Critical hether it’s The result of these high tech practices eventually comes neatly Care renovation in the VMTH and our satellite teaching dine in, wrapped in cellophane at the grocery store, and Dr. Laflin offers hospital, Midwest Veterinary Specialty Hospital, in Omaha, Wcarry out or guidelines in selecting meat. “If the intramuscular fat is clumpy, it’s a sizzling on your grill, lower marbling animal,” she says. “If the fat is more evenly dispersed, Neb. We will unveil these completed projects in the next Dr. Shelie Laflin may it’s higher quality.” The color of the meat is also an indicator of quality. edition of “AnimaLIFE”—you won’t want to miss it! have had something to “The bright red color indicates oxygen exposure. With exposure to do with the beef on your oxygen, any bacteria present will start to multiply.” Meanwhile, we continue to be blessed with wonderful dinner plate. Kevin Cain, senior veterinary student, plans to enter a mixed animal opportunities to help people and the animals that mean Dr. Laflin, assistant practice after graduating in May, and he values his six-week large animal Photo by Patrice Scott professor of agricultural rotation. Kevin says he hopes to mirror the example set by Dr. Laflin. so much to them and to the public. It is truly an honor to Photo by Patrice Scott practices at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), is a “She’s an excellent veterinarian,” Kevin says. “She’s very thorough and work with the students, staff and faculty who make our cutting-edge clinician who uses technology to determine which takes a practical approach to veterinary medicine, and she’s very caring Dr. Roger Fingland visits with Daniel Harkin in the lobby of the teaching hospital production animals are best suited for reproduction. As a certified and a very hard worker.” during the university’s Open House on April 8. hospital an exceptional place for health and healing. Many ultrasound technician, her techniques improve herd quality, industry Dr. Laflin’s professional reproduction interests turned personal when she of you have responded to the stories we have shared in economics and ultimately, your dinner. “We ultrasound animals to obtain and husband, R.D., welcomed twin sons, Agustus and Colt, on Dec. 19, information about their bodies and use that information when we are “AnimaLIFE” with letters, emails and donations. We sin- 2005. Her sons will grow up much the way she did. “I grew up on a ranch selecting sires,” Dr. Laflin says. in western Nebraska. When I was little, I would put rocks in a box and cerely appreciate your support and your desire to help us Marbling is a key factor in determining meat quality. feed a pipe cleaner through the top to help animals. Thank you for supporting our hospital, and Dr. Laflin explains that marbling is actually streaks of make a handle and take it out to the intramuscular fat that give meat flavor. “If a cow herd is pasture and ‘treat’ the animals,” she thank you for caring about animals. W somewhat low in marbling, I would select a bull with says, laughing as she recalls this higher intramuscular fat to introduce into the herd,” she childhood memory. “I truly have never Warm Regards, says. “To a certain degree, the higher the marbling wanted to be anything else.” content, the better. Extramuscular fat is usually what is The Laflins have a 250-head operation trimmed away by the butcher. Producers lose money north of Manhattan. Dr. Laflin based on the thickness of the extramuscular fat and graduated from K-State in 2000 and are paid more for the amount of intramuscular fat.” joined the faculty at the teaching Roger B. Fingland, DVM, MS, MBA Twig Marston, VMTH client and beef producer, has hospital in 2001. Since her arrival, Diplomate, ACVS bulls ultrasounded by Dr. Laflin. “She is absolutely the she’s provided individual and herd- Professor and Director best. She’s thorough, she’s honest, and she has great based medicine to thousands of Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital doctor-patient rapport.” Twig and Dr. Laflin are animals on farms and ranches within committed to improving herd genetics and beef quality. Photo by Patrice Scott 125 miles of the teaching hospital. W AnimaLIFE / pg. 4 AnimaLIFE / pg. 5 Bill and Riko spent five weeks at the canine training Riko sits atop a academy before going on patrol. Bill learned to monitor mountain of marijuana Riko’s daily habits because canine handlers are the first following a drug seizure. responders for their dogs. Bill also had to learn to speak The bundles have a Dutch.