LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

is urging animal owners to be vigilant for signs of New World screwworm following recent detections in Texas.

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue, causing painful wounds and serious infections. The pest can affect livestock, horses, wildlife, dogs, and cats.

There are currently no confirmed cases in Louisiana, but early detection is critical.

Watch for:
• Wounds that fail to heal
• Bloody or foul-smelling discharge
• Visible maggots in wounds or body openings
• Excessive licking, chewing, or irritation around a wound
• Signs of discomfort, depression, or reduced appetite

If you suspect New World screwworm, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Read more about what animal owners need to know: lsu.edu/vetmed/news/2026/screwworm.php

It’s here, and UPROAR magazine staff is celebrating! Here is a link to the digital version:
https://issuu.com/lsuschoolofveterinarymedicine/docs/uproar_magazine_-_spring_2026

Service learning doesn’t just teach future veterinarians. It shapes how they see their role in the world. Our first-year students go out into the community volunteering at the Baton Rouge Zoo, teaching kids about animal health, shadowing veterinarians, and even collaborating with the LSU Museum of Art. Service learning gives students real-world experience while making a meaningful difference for animals and people across Louisiana and beyond. These future veterinarians are discovering their "why" — and they're just getting started. Read all about it: https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/blog/2026/service_learning.php

We were all in for All Paws on Deck Walk for Pet Cancer Awareness yesterday at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library at Goodwood, where we shared information about our expert cancer care services.

Participants asked thoughtful questions, shared stories about pets we have treated, and stopped by our Draw Your Favorite Animal artmaking station to create portraits of their beloved companions.

When your pet needs expert cancer care, our board-certified veterinary oncologists provide state-of-the-art medical and radiation oncology services. Our comprehensive approach draws on expertise from multiple disciplines to deliver the highest level of care.

No referral is needed. To schedule an appointment, call (225) 578-9600.

Real-world experience helps prepare students for clinical practice from the earliest stages of veterinary education. The LSU Vet Med Lambing and Kidding Team successfully oversaw the delivery and care of 45 baby goats and 27 lambs this spring. The team, composed of first- and second-year veterinary students and directed by Associate Professor Clare Scully, monitored the herd daily throughout the season, watching for signs of labor and assisting with deliveries as needed. Through the experience, students gained practical training in:

• Ruminant handling
• Pregnancy and labor monitoring
• Assisting with dystocias (difficult births)
• Neonatal care

Congrats to our veterinary students and faculty!

Alejandra Medina Garcia, custodian, has been named LSU Vet Med Community Champion of the Month for April. The Community Champion of the Month program acknowledges the amazing work our students, staff, and faculty do every day and celebrates extraordinary individuals. Congrats, Alejandra!

LSU Vet Med is a biomedical research powerhouse and proud to be part of the record-breaking research growth happening across the LSU flagship.

Research growth at LSU is creating real impact across Louisiana and beyond through healthcare innovation, workforce development, economic opportunity, and transformational discovery.

LSU Vet Med is proud to contribute to this momentum through research that advances animal and human health, strengthens Louisiana agriculture, supports biomedical discovery, and improves the lives of animals and people around the world.

Research funding is more than a number. It is a direct investment in Louisiana’s future, and the momentum is only accelerating from here. Learn more about our historic rise: https://www.lsu.edu/researchmomentum/index.php

When Duke, the Scottish highland bull, jumped a tall fence and broke out of his pen at 1:30 a.m., he surprised a male donkey who latched onto Duke’s back and shoved him into a fence, fracturing his jaw. “It took me 20 minutes to get the donkey off of Duke. I’ve been a firefighter for 16 years, and this was the most traumatic experience I’ve ever had,” said owner Jarred Wrinkles, of Loranger, La.

Duke underwent surgery to wire his jaw into place by zig-zagging the wire between his lower teeth. Clinicians made a dental device molded onto his teeth to protect his lips as he healed. The wires and device were removed after six weeks. Duke’s jaw has healed and he is well on his way to a normal life. “I have the utmost respect for his clinical team,” Jarred said.

Pictured clockwise in group photo: Duke, Jarred Wrinkles, Danielle Bass, Dr. Francisco Morales, and Dr. Kodey Broussard.

LSU Vet Med alumni Drs. Barbara Still and Adam Handy are helping prepare the next generation of veterinarians to serve Louisiana through their work with Louisiana Tech’s pre-veterinary program. Focused on creating the most competitive veterinary school applicants possible, the program has helped 78 students gain acceptance over the past five application cycles, with 77% choosing LSU Vet Med. Through mentoring, hands-on training, and real-world veterinary experience, they are strengthening Louisiana’s future veterinary workforce. Read more: https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/blog/2026/alumni_prepare_undergrads.php