Heather Hill wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
The 11-year-old owns two cats, Blacky and Jimmy, and wants to own a horse someday, too.
“I love animals and I’m having a lot of fun today,” the Alma resident said while visiting MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Vet-a-visit open house Saturday. “I got to pet the horses and act like a vet during the horse exhibit.”
Activities at the open house included animal exhibits showcasing dogs, cats, sheep, cows and exotic and research animals such as snakes, rats and gerbils.
Second-year veterinary student Sara Snow, who led the presentation, “Are You Prepared For An Emergency?” said it’s important for pet owners to know how to handle emergencies because of all the unknown toxins in a household.
“We’re trying to remind people that doing little things can possibly prevent an emergency,” Snow said. “Tips like keeping your dog on a leash, keeping them in a fenced-in yard, making sure animals have licenses on their collars, keeping pets vaccinated and keeping them away from cleaning products are all good things to practice.
“The small tips we provide are easy and not very invasive.”
The veterinary school also teamed up with Animal Resource Network Inc. to showcase cats and dogs in need of a home. The nonprofit organization, which supports community education, training and animal control programs, has placed more than 800 pets in homes.
“(The organization) takes abandoned pets, gets them spade or neutered, tests them for diseases and gives them shots,” said Tracy Adams, a second-year veterinary student. “All this costs well over $70, but that’s the cost to adopt an abandoned cat. It’s a pretty good deal for the cat and the people who adopt it.”
Sarah McDonald, who led the presentation, “How To Choose A Puppy,” said people need to ask themselves certain questions before adopting a pet.
“When people see a puppy, their first reaction is ‘They’re so cute, I want to take them home,’” the second-year veterinary student said. “But they need to ask themselves how much time they have to devote to a new puppy, whether it’s going to be around small children or other pets in the home and whether there’s going to be adequate space for the puppy to run around and play.”
In an exhibit titled “How to Age Gracefully,” second-year veterinary student Alyson Plank showcased her cat, Nicky, a 15-year-old gray Maine coon.
Nicky had his colon and thyroid removed, part of his tail removed after being slammed in a door and has suffered from intestinal cancer. Nicky’s X-rays that were on display indicated arthritis and two different kidney sizes, predisposing him to kidney failure.
“I’ve had Nicky for 15 years,” Plank said. “He’s been with me through high school graduation, college graduation and when I got married. I only hope he makes it through my vet school graduation. I’d do just about anything for him.
“It just shows people that vet student pets have all the bizarre problems.”
