Montgomery Biscuits’ pig mascot has surgery at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine
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Miss Gravy, the live mascot for the Montgomery Biscuits, has been released from the J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine after a routine procedure was performed on Tuesday.
The Duchess of Pork, a micro-mini potbelly pig, underwent an ovariohysterectomy, more commonly known as being spayed. It is a common procedure for cats and dogs, but with the growing popularity of micro and pot-bellied pigs as household pets, Miss Gravy’s surgery served as an example for other pet owners and a lesson for Auburn’s veterinary students.
“Spaying decreases the potential for ovarian cysts, uterine tumors, cystic endometrial hyperplasia and infection,” said Brad Fields, the official veterinarian for the Biscuits and a 2005 Auburn vet med alumnus. “With age, the possibility for reproductive tract cancer increases. Taking all possible steps to prevent metastatic diseases will only enhance Miss Gravy’s life.”
Elaine Schilling, a fourth-year veterinary student from Huntsville, who assisted Associate Professor Misty Edmondson with the surgery, said it was her first time having a pig for a patient, but admitted it was a learning experience. Miss Gravy’s surgical team included veterinarians who are board-certified in internal medicine, reproductive medicine and surgery and anesthesia, as well as fourth-year students.
“Auburn has a history of training practice-ready veterinarians, and patients like Miss Gravy and this procedure provided our students with a hands-on experience that they will be able to take with them into veterinary practice,” said Edmondson. “Miss Gravy helped train future veterinarians.”
Before she was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, Big Mo, the Biscuits official mascot, stopped by for a visit. Big Mo has been the baseball team’s mascot for 10 years. Miss Gravy joined him this April when she made her debut at Riverwalk Stadium. Her addition marked a new partnership with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and the Montgomery Biscuits.
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Media interested in this story can contact Communications Director Preston Sparks at (334) 844-9999 or preston.sparks@auburn.edu.
Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.
