WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Hoping to broaden understanding about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids, a Purdue University-based international consortium has launched a Web site and newsletter campaign to educate the public, physicians and veterinarians.

Omega3learning.purdue.edu answers basic questions about what Omega-3 fatty acids do, where to find them and how to ensure a person is getting the right type of Omega-3s.

Bruce Watkins, Purdue professor of nutrition and director of the International Omega-3 Learning and Education Consortium for Health and Medicine, said most people know that Omega-3 fatty acids are good for them and can often name a few foods that contain them, but that’s about it.

“People have heard of Omega-3s, but they don’t understand what Omega-3s are, the types of Omega-3s in food and how to use them for better health,” Watkins said. “There are different types of Omega-3s needed throughout the lifetime. We’re trying to help consumers with information that will help them make good decisions throughout their lives.”

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in nuts, oils and fish. Some are essential for retinal and brain development in infants, for instance, and for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults.

The Web site, http://www.omega3learning.purdue.edu, answers basic questions about what Omega-3 fatty acids do, where to find them and how to ensure a person is getting the right type of Omega-3s. There also is information for doctors and veterinarians, including fact sheets and handouts for their patients.

“There’s a lot of fundamental information for the consumers and doctors so they can better serve themselves and their patients,” Watkins said.

There also is a database of foods and pet-food products that contain Omega-3s, which includes the amounts and different types of Omega-3s found in each serving of a particular food, along with other dietary information. The site also includes a chart that shows how much and what type of Omega-3s men and women of different ages and with differing health histories should consume.

Newsletters for doctors, veterinarians and consumers will go out every other month and can be received by signing up on the site.

Watkins said he hopes people will be able to use the information to make healthier choices in their diets.

“We want to give them the fundamentals so they can begin to understand on their own,” he said.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine celebrated its 50th anniversary by sending 19 faculty members, students and alumni to Ethiopia to help production animal proficiency and facilitate ongoing relationships with the Ethiopian veterinary school.

The group spent several days working with Project Mercy, a U.S.-based nonprofit relief and development agency that seeks to improve both cattle and human nutrition through breeding practices.

Mark Hilton, Purdue veterinarian and clinical professor of food and animal production medicine, explains to veterinary students in Ethiopia how to properly trim cow hooves. (Purdue University photo courtesy of Mimi Arighi)

“This trip was a service project first and foremost,” said Mark Hilton, Purdue veterinarian and clinical professor of food and animal production medicine. “We knew we would be able to help out with Project Mercy and that they would appreciate any input we could provide.”

As part of their work with Project Mercy, the group calculated animal weight, administered vaccines and performed pregnancy checks.

“The thing that surprised me most was the lack of adequate animal nutrition and growth,” Hilton said. “The heifers there were only 250-350 pounds at a year old. Because of the lack of nutrition, animal reproduction is a luxury in Ethiopia. We saw 5-year-old heifers that had never even been in heat. We really want to improve reproduction and show the Ethiopian people that they can do it too.”

One aspect of Project Mercy is breeding Ethiopian cattle breeds with American and European breeds, such as Jerseys—a breed of dairy cattle common in the United States.

“Breeding Ethiopian cattle with Jerseys is a good fit because Jerseys are small, they have a high fertility rate and they produce a lot of milk,” Hilton said.

In addition to the time spent on the Project Mercy campus, the Purdue team traveled to the Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine in Debre Zeyit, where they gave and listened to presentations and demonstrations.

“The trip to the veterinary school served as a way for us to establish a relationship between our program and theirs so we can continue to exchange ideas in the future,” Hilton said. “We want to be able to keep sending our students, faculty and alumni over there, and we want their students and faculty to come to Purdue. It’s a win-win situation for both universities.”

Outside of the work they were doing, the Purdue team also had a chance for some cultural experiences, including a camping trip to Awash National Park and a tour of Genesis Farms, a large-scale organic produce and livestock operation.

Mary Grabow, veterinarian and alumnus of the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine, assists an Ethiopian veterinary technician in preparing a dog to be spayed. Purdue University photo courtesy of Mimi Arighi)

“I had never been to Africa, and neither had many of our participants,” said Mimi Arighi, Purdue veterinarian and director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “You hear about the struggles, but to see it is hard. The electricity doesn’t always work and they often run out of water, which hinders research. The computers are all on dial-up. It’s just difficult to make advances.”

One thing both Arighi and Hilton agreed upon was the enthusiasm of the Ethiopian people they met along the way.

“The people were just wonderful,” Hilton said. “All of the kids yelled and waved when they saw us. They treated us like stars. They were so welcoming and seemed so happy we were there. It was obvious that they were thankful for any help we could provide them.”

The Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1959 with a class of 50 students. A veterinary technology degree program was added in 1975. The highly competitive doctor of veterinary medicine degree program now accepts approximately 70 students annually to study under 115 faculty members. Since its inception, the school has trained nearly 2,800 veterinarians and 800 veterinary technicians.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fourth of July fireworks can frighten pets and farm animals and cause them to react in ways that might injure them. But a Purdue veterinarian says there are numerous ways to protect your pets during the celebrations.

“Owners must use common sense when they allow pets to join the festivities,” said Lorraine Corriveau, a wellness veterinarian at Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. “Some dogs like chasing those spinning and swirling objects on the ground. Others fear loud noises. Owners can use simple tricks like putting cotton in their pets’ ears to muffle the sound.”

Fourth of July fireworks can frighten pets and farm animals. (Photo via linein @ Flickr.com)

Corriveau suggests these tips for lowering the noise stress of pets:

• Never leave pets alone outdoors, even if tethered or in a fenced yard. Dogs, especially, may escape and become lost or injure themselves chewing or choking on their leashes. Keep small pets indoors, preferably in a room without windows, and horses in their stalls.
• Make sure all sharp objects are removed from enclosures.
• Turn on the radio or TV for distraction.
• Do not take pets to fireworks shows.
• Do not leave a pet in a car unattended.
• Keep pets on leash or in a carrier if they must be outside.
• Protect animals from children who may not realize that waving sparklers or setting off “safe” firecrackers could upset pets.
• Keep I.D. tags current so the pet and owner can be reunited if loud noises cause it to run away.
• Sedate horses and some dogs if needed. Noise phobia can get worse as a pet ages. A veterinarian can advise about giving a mild sedative or tranquilizer to calm the fears of an over-stressed dog, cat or horse.
• Desensitize your pet by playing CDs that contain noises of thunderstorms, fireworks or gunshots.
• Pick up leftover sparklers and other sharp objects when the night of festivities is over.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A pilot program this summer is giving Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine students surgical experience while helping the Almost Home Humane Society prepare shelter animals for adoption.

The school has set up a spaying/neutering surgery site at the humane society’s shelter in Lafayette with equipment that isn’t needed on campus during the summer, said Lynetta Freeman, associate professor of small animal surgery and biomedical engineering.

Without the in-house surgical unit, the shelter has to transport animals to local veterinarians’ offices or the Purdue campus for spaying or neutering before they are adopted. Michelle Warren, executive director of Almost Home Humane Society, said that involves added costs for the nonprofit shelter and often means adopting individuals or families must wait to take their pets home.

“Our board and staff were looking for ways to cut costs and still provide for the animals,” she said. “For at least two years, we have been talking about doing on-site spays and neuters. Then we received a bequest that let us renovate an attic space for surgeries.”

Warren said she mentioned the new space and the desire to do on-site spaying and neutering to Freeman and the idea for the summer program was born.

Freeman has been taking two fourth-year veterinary students and one veterinary technician student to the shelter once a week since the beginning of July. The students perform the surgeries under Freeman’s supervision. They do between four and six surgeries each week.

“The students like it because it’s real-life experience for them,” Freeman said.

But the program will end Aug. 18 because the equipment will be needed back on campus for the beginning of the fall semester, Freeman said.

Warren said that while the humane society doesn’t have the thousands of dollars needed to buy the equipment in its budget currently, it is looking for ways to get the funds.

“What we’re hoping to accomplish is showing a mutual benefit,” Freeman said. “If so, we will try to find a donor or grant program to provide equipment for the humane society. Purdue students could go over once a week, and area veterinarians might also volunteer.”

“The goal is to have all animals spayed or neutered before they go to the adoption floor,” Warren said. “Adopters could take animals right home either from the shelter or from off-site events.

“I’m anticipating we’ll have substantial cost savings while still being able to provide the best possible care for the animals.”