LSU Vet School celebrates 32nd annual open house

Once a year, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine invites the city to meet its experts and explore the latest developments in animal health care, rescue, therapy, welfare and research. The free event takes place at the school on Skip Bertman Drive at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 8.

“This is an open door event for the public to see how veterinary medicine offers their pets many of the same kinds of treatment that are available to humans,” says Stephanie Thibeau, an SVM junior and open house committee member. “Visitors can see we have an ICU, a linear accelerator for cancer, endoscopy for gastrointestinal problems and other units and equipment for specialized care.”

The theme for this year’s open house is “Discover Veterinary Medicine,” which “encourages people explore all the things veterinarian do beyond clinical practice including research for diseases that affect animals and humans, public health and food safety and inspection,” she says.

The self-guided tour includes a glimpse into the gross anatomy lab, equine treadmill, canine underwater therapy, cancer treatment center, intensive care units, surgery and radiology suites. Throughout the corridors, rescue representatives, students and faculty will explain the animal-related issues, services and resources available to local pet owners.

Besides being fun, educational and free, the open house exposes animal lovers to the work of 80 exhibitors, displaying a tremendous variety of domestic and exotic species, breeds and live animals they are unlikely to see elsewhere. One exhibit is Willie the fistulated cow, who has a portal in his side so students can observe digestion. Children may also bring their own injured stuffed animals to be “sutured” by vet students at the Teddy Bear Clinic.

The event also features a petting zoo full of barnyard animals, rehabilitated raptors and all creatures great and small as well as special presentations including the parades of dog and horse breeds.

In addition to featuring its own students and staff, the open house includes demonstrations, booths and adoptable animals from Louisiana Capital City Obedience Club, the Baton Rouge Kennel Club, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, Working Animal Guide Society of Louisiana and Spay Baton Rouge among others.

For more information and a schedule of events, click here.

The SVM open house also features many displays about the importance of adopting a family pet from a rescue or shelter. Cat Haven will bring adoptable cats and kittens to the event including:

Nala came to Cat Haven when her former owner had to move home and couldn’t keep her. This pretty one-year-old tabby is friendly and playful. She does well with other cats and older children, but she has not yet been around dogs.

Luna and her littermates were born to a stray mom, discovered by a good samaritan and brought to Cat Haven. This beautiful five-month-old Siamese mix is good with older kids and other cats; she has not yet been exposed to dogs.

Diablo is a very social boy who likes to think of himself as a people greeter and the man of the house. His foster challenges anyone to find a kitty with a louder purr. This great one-year-old guy will fit well in any home as he gets along well with kids, dogs and other cats.

Bianca and her siblings were found hanging around an apartment complex. Their rescuer suspects they were likely to have been abandoned. Nonetheless, this six-month-old remains a sweet girl who is looking for a forever home.

Galileo and his littermates were born to a feral mom and brought to Cat Haven to find great homes. This four-month-old orange tabby boy has proven to be good with older kids. However, he does not like dogs.

Chloe was adopted from Cat Haven as a young kitten and came back because of issues with her adoptive family. This black/brown longhaired six-year-old is a very sweet and loving cat, who can get a bit of an attitude. She is good company for adults because she likes to sit quietly and be petted. She is best suited to be an only pet in a home without young children.

These pets have all been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats and kittens are available at Cat Haven. For more information, click here or call the shelter to make an appointment at 636-2680.