The most eye-catching ag-related item in the Alberta government’s Feb. 24 budget was the pledge of $59 million over three years for “infrastructure to expand the veterinary medicine school at the University of Calgary.”

“We are also making a generational investment at the University of Calgary to expand the faculty of veterinary medicine,” Finance Minister Travis Toews said in his budget speech.

“This $59-million investment will address a critical emerging shortage of large-animal veterinarians in rural Alberta.”

The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association said it was “thrilled” by the announcement, saying it would allow the university to double the number of vets it graduates every year.

“Budget 2022 provides a bold and decisive investment in veterinary medicine that will bolster the health and welfare of animals, growth in rural communities and the health of Albertans,” the association said in a news release.

The budget also maintains the $37-million budget for Results Driven Ag Research (RDAR), the arm’s-length agency set up two years ago to fund agricultural research in the province.

Budget documents for the Ag Ministry also say the government is “on track” in its effort to attract $1.4 billion in new investment in the agri-food sector by next year. It heralds the $933-million expansion of the irrigation system in southern Alberta that will add 230,000 irrigated acres. The province is putting up $280 million (30 per cent) of that money. (The irrigation districts are putting up 20 per cent and borrowing the remainder from the Canadian Infrastructure Bank.)

“To create new jobs and spur growth in the agriculture industry, the ministry is building value-added processing capacity, expanding irrigation infrastructure, attracting new investment and expanding trade,” the supporting budget document states.

It also contains a very precise, albeit unexplained, number on Premier Jason Kenney’s election promise to cut red tape, a measure enacted in a piece of legislation called the Red Tape Reduction Act.

The supporting budget documents for provincial ministries contain yearly updates on pro­gress on this effort. For Agriculture and Forestry, there was an 8.2 per cent “regulatory reduction” for the 2019-20 fiscal year and this year’s budget document says that number reached 12.1 per cent in 2020-21.

The fiscal year ends on March 31, so a more recent number isn’t available but in its most recent report on this initiative, the government cited examples from agriculture. It said it had cut the number of forms and supporting documentation needed for Canadian Agricultural Partnership grant programs; allowed livestock producers to sell an animal directly to consumers and have it slaughtered on site for personal consumption; and is allowing farm and commercial vehicle registration renewals to be done online.

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The threat isn’t tick bites, but the chance a tick could transmit Lyme disease, said the registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA).

“There have been approximately 100 human cases of Lyme disease reported by Albertans since the early ’90s but all originated outside of the province,” Dr. Darrell Dalton said in a news release.

“Nevertheless, given the human and animal health risks, there’s a surveillance program in place to monitor the spread of the disease, and successful surveillance requires a vigilant public to check for ticks and signs of infection.”

If you’ve been in an area where ticks might be present — such as long grass or bush — check for them afterwards. The ABVMA is urging pet owners to do the same.

A common sign of Lyme disease — in humans and dogs — is a round, red rash that looks like a bull’s-eye target (although that type of rash isn’t always present). Humans experience flu-like symptoms (tiredness, headaches, sore muscles and joints and fever).

“It is thought to take 36 to 48 hours before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted, so it’s important to remove a tick as quickly as possible,” the ABVMA noted in its news release.

To remove a tick, use tweezers (gently grasping the head and mouth near the skin); slowly pull; and then wash and disinfect the area around the bite. Using a match isn’t recommended.

The province has an extensive tick-testing program and wants the public to submit ticks they find. For details go to the Alberta government website.

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The association said the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian received notification of the positive rabies test on Nov. 13.

“This nine-year-old, indoor-outdoor cat was born and lived on a farm near Longview,” the ABVMA said in its e-newsletter. “The cat displayed extreme aggression and bit the owner and the owner’s son. This prompted them to seek medical attention, and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis commenced immediately.”

The rabies virus infects the brain and nervous system of mammals and, if not treated in time, is almost always fatal.

Four other cats and two dogs on the farm have been given post-exposure rabies vaccinations and placed under a three-month quarantine. Further testing identified the type of rabies as the bat variant of the virus.

“Cats hunting bats is not an abnormal scenario and with the small percentage of bats that are positive for rabies in Alberta, having an unvaccinated cat positive for rabies can occur,” said the ABVMA.

The last two such cases in cats occurred in 2010 and 2006. There was also a case in 2013 when a puppy brought to Calgary from Nunavut tested positive for the arctic fox variant.

“So far in 2018 we have also had nine bats test positive for rabies through scenarios in which they interacted with pet dogs, pet cats, or directly with humans,” the ABVMA said. “These positive bats have been from all over Alberta, which is not surprising given that bats are present in rural and urban areas and move freely throughout the province.”

Despite that low rate, “it is important to remember that only through vaccination of our pets can we protect their health and in turn, human health,” the veterinary association said.

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Dr. Robert (Bob) Jones has been named Veterinarian of the Year while Dr. Peter Martin will receive the Meritorious Service award when the association holds its awards banquet in February.

The Young Veterinarian of the Year award will go to Dr. Graeme Boender, the Communications award will go to Dr. Cody Creelman, and Cindee Burns will receive the Registered Veterinary Technologist of the Year award. Dr. Kevin Breker will receive the Outstanding Mentor award.

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In 2012, the association’s food animal advisory committee recommended such a move, but ABVMA members were not supportive. Last year, the committee again recommended allowing veterinary technologists to use ultrasound for pregnancy detection, noting the technology “has become very accurate” and is now often used by “laypeople.”

“The Food Animal Advisory Committee would like to keep pregnancy detection within the profession and enhance the perception of the veterinary team to animal owners,” the association said in a recent e-newsletter to members.

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For those of you who crave more detailed information, there are several very good brochures and websites with factual and current information on the subject. These are important when we are trying to explain to the average urbanite what we know and how the entire industry is really following the guidelines about prudent usage of antimicrobials.

We hear the public and industry using terms such as ‘raised without antibiotics.’ This has severe ramifications from an animal welfare perspective and, simply stated, is the reason we have established withdrawal periods by law. These withdrawal periods ensure there are no antibiotic or other drug residues from things like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or vaccines in our meat or milk.

The best brochure I’ve seen is Worried about Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Cattle from Alberta Beef Producers (available at www.albertabeef.org by clicking on the Consumers pull-down menu).

It explains the four main categories of antimicrobials from Category 1 (meaning they have very high importance in human medicine) to Category 4 (not used in human medicine). The brochure gives examples of Category 1 antimicrobials we use in cattle, such as Excede or Baytril.

The very high and high category make up no more than one to two per cent of the antimicrobials used in cattle production. But we must still think twice before we use them. They should only be used for severe medical conditions, such as bad pneumonia. Veterinarians are continually advising that the least critical category is still likely to work on the condition at hand.

I have included a chart that compares the different classes of antibiotics used in cattle versus other species versus humans. You will see a big difference, so have a close look.

In dealing with cases in which there has been no response to drugs that previously worked, veterinarians are having more cultures done. This means the lab grows the bacteria causing the illness and then uses little discs impregnated with antibiotics to actually see which ones work. This gives us a much better scientific approach to treatment and should provide a higher success rate. The issue is this takes a couple of days to do, so in the meantime we as veterinarians must prescribe treatments, which are often based on previous protocols and success rates.

The possibility of resistant bacteria passing from cattle to humans is very remote because Category 1 drugs are so rarely used plus the fact that resistant bacteria would need to get through the packing plant and all the precautions they use (such as steam sterilization, UV light, and a very clean environment through the cooking process) and into a person, who would then have the antibiotic prescribed by the doctor and not work. This is a very, very unlikely chain of events.

There is now a research cluster (headed by Dr. Tim McCallister and including researchers from the cattle industry and veterinary colleges) looking at all these potential pathways to make sure all possibilities have been looked at. This alone is very positive evidence that the industry is doing its due diligence to protect livestock production and people.

A great quote from veterinarian Dr. Craig Dorin of Airdrie is, “It is our privilege and not our right to be able to use antibiotics in the animals we take care of.” Because of all the industry surveillance, drug resistance levels are very low in beef. That doesn’t mean they can’t increase and generally if resistance is found, the bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics in the same family of drugs. Veterinarians know this and will prescribe a different family of antibiotics if need be.

This year, your veterinarian will be much more involved with antimicrobials that are used in production animal medicine, especially those that were non-prescription for the most part but administered in the feed or water. More than 75 per cent of the drugs are used in feed, so enhanced oversight at this level is where you as producer will see the most changes. These are all steps that will be positive in reducing antibiotic usage where possible and using the most effective ones for the condition at hand.

The first thing removed from antibiotic labelling is the growth promotant indications. Increased growth from reduced disease incidence is often a secondary benefit but your veterinarian will need a medical reason to prescribe.

A great resource on AMR is the Beef Cattle Research Council website. It has clear information as well as a seven-minute video that everyone in the cattle industry should watch.

We need to get back to management practices we know will minimize sickness and hence antibiotic usage, especially giving calves adequate quality and quantity of colostrum (colostrum is the best ‘drug’ one can use), low-stress weaning, and pre-immunization up to two weeks before weaning. As well, more direct movement of cattle through satellite and internet sales eliminates lots of commingling.

All these practices can definitely reduce the labour to administer, the cost, and the usage of antimicrobials. I know that in some ways, it is easier said than done. But the potential for reduction in antimicrobial usage is great.

Pharmaceutical companies are focusing more and more on vaccinology so you will see broader coverage vaccines for viruses and bacteria. Intranasal vaccines can provide quicker coverage, and technology has and will improve the degree of immunity and length of coverage over time. In the future, we will most likely see more vaccines replacing antimicrobials.

A good rule for raising cattle is that it is far better to prevent by management and vaccination than treat with antibiotics. Watch the parasite treatments as keeping them greatly reduced in your herd will also stimulate the cattle’s own natural immune system and along with proper nutrition minimize sickness.

With increased usage of antibiotics there is increased resistance in that species so the veterinary communities’ oversight will focus on four things: Prevention, Production, Control and Therapy.

Another website worth checking out is www.raisedwithcare.ca (created by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association). This website is very interactive and there are some quizzes you can take to test your knowledge. The questions you get wrong become an educating experience.

I encourage you all to check out these reference sources and tell the public so we all together in the cattle industry can do the right thing and be leaders and educators in helping with the global battle against AMR. Generally speaking, we are already doing a good job but there is always room for improvement. So question your veterinarian and yourself and ask if there is a better way if antimicrobial usage seems too frequent on your operation.

Responsible antibiotic usage is not about residues; we already do a fantastic job at that. It is about using the right drug for the right bug and for the right length of time.

Take pride in the fact the cattle industry is, in many ways, taking the lead and the medical profession can learn a lot from what you do. Tell your story.

Many times painkillers, supplements, vitamins, or minerals — rather than antimicrobials — may be the therapy of choice. Prevention of the disease through vaccination, low-stress weaning, and not commingling cattle can also greatly reduce the usage of antimicrobials. In specific instances we may be able to actually lower drug costs and have better outcomes while at the same time not contributing to any resistance.

There will be lots more on this topic in the future, so stay tuned. Tell a neighbour about the fact that all antibiotics will require a prescription as of Dec. 1.

This article was originally published on the Manitoba Co-operator.

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“Alberta Farm Animal Care plays an important role in the province, representing all livestock sectors by communicating the industry’s best practices to producers and sharing our story with the public,” said Scheele, a hatching egg producer.

James Jenkins was acclaimed as vice-chair, Brent Bushell as finance chair, and Casey Vander Ploeg as advisory council chair.

The other board members are Greg Bowie (past chair), Laurie Fries, and Heini Hehli. Darrell Dalton, the registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association will fill the remaining vacant position until next year’s AGM.

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If you haven’t done so already, the first few months of 2018 would be an excellent time to develop a relationship with a beef veterinarian.

Starting late in 2018, Health Canada is introducing a couple of important changes affecting the way animal antibiotic products can be accessed by producers. And having an established Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) will be an important part of a smooth transition.

The key point is, starting Dec. 1, 2018, all livestock producers will need a prescription from a licensed veterinarian before they can buy a medically important antibiotic for therapeutic use in livestock production.

This applies to all beef cattle sectors using antibiotics — cow-calf operators, feedlots and feed mills (and really all sectors of animal agriculture including beef, dairy, hogs, sheep, horses, fish, and even bees). The new policy doesn’t just apply to injectable products, but also includes some boluses and calf scour treatments, as well as Component and Compudose implants.

At the same time, the new policy does not apply to certain antimicrobials such as the ionophores, which are not considered to be medically important in managing disease in humans.

Prescription needed

Many of the antibiotics used for animals are already only available through prescription. However, some common products traditionally available without a prescription through farm and feed supply outlets will soon require a prescription. (An example is in-feed products such as tylosin and tetracycline.)

For cow-calf producers in Alberta, products will only be available from a veterinary clinic or licensed pharmacist. Commercial feed mills will be able to manufacture and sell a medically important antibiotic in feed pursuant to a veterinary prescription under current provincial regulation in macro premix, micro premix, supplement, or complete feed formulations. But dispensing details still need to be worked out.

Producers who have established a VCPR— that veterinary/client/patient relationship — with a licensed veterinarian, will be able to obtain a prescription for a given amount of product for perhaps a full year (depending on the circumstance) enabling them to buy it as needed and for use according to advice of the veterinarian.

For example, a cow-calf producer in consultation with their veterinarian can determine, based on their records and herd history, they will likely need X number of bottles of tetracycline (like Liquamycin or Bio-mycin) to treat pink eye, or X number of bottles of Nuflor to treat foot rot throughout the year. A prescription can be written to cover that estimated need and then the producer can buy medication as needed up to the estimated amount, or up to the expiry date of the prescription.

Producers who already have a veterinary/client relationship likely won’t see any change in normal practices.

“I believe this is good legislation and the right thing to do for any industry that produces food,” said Craig Dorin, a veterinarian with Veterinary Animal Health Services in Airdrie. “It is important that antibiotics used in food animals have an appropriate level of regulation.”

Addressing the issue

These changes are being made because of increasing concern about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria in animals as well as in humans.

Research indicates AMR is developing in beef cattle, and some antimicrobials used on the farm or in the feedlot are not working as well as they once did. Antimicrobial resistance is also developing in human patients, though there is no compelling evidence that antimicrobial use in Canadian livestock production is contributing to AMR in human medicine.

Reports say as many as 23,000 Americans die annually due to issues related to antimicrobial resistance to drugs and computer forecasts say that by 2050, as many as 10 million people globally could die from issues related to antimicrobial resistance.

Health Canada is seeking to better manage antimicrobial use and hopefully even reduce the amount of antibiotics used in animal agriculture with the aim of reducing or slowing the development of AMR in animal pathogens. It also hopes to demonstrate that products are only used when needed, at the appropriate dose and within the recognized withdrawal times. It will help stem a growing public perception that the livestock industry casually uses high rates of antibiotics without regard for animal, environmental, or human health conditions.

“It’s really about bringing the livestock industry in line with the way antibiotics are handled on the human health side,” said Keith Lehman, chief provincial veterinarian. “You need a prescription.”

No one should be surprised these changes are coming, said Murray Jelinski, a professor in large-animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon.

“Whether anyone thinks it is a good or bad move is really irrelevant,” said Jelinski. “Europe, for example, is already ahead of Canada in this regard, and other countries around the world are moving in this direction — this is really a global movement hence it is incumbent upon Canada to do its part.”

Some have described the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance (to currently used medicines) and the rise of “superbugs” as “one of humanity’s greatest concerns,” said Jelinski.

Policy details

Most of the details for cow-calf producers in Alberta have been sorted out, said Dorin.

On-farm feed mixers — with a prescription — can buy micro and macro premixes, supplements, and complete feed from a commercial feed mill or from a licensed veterinarian or pharmacist under current regulation.

Other changes include new restrictions (which came into effect in November) on importing antibiotics manufactured outside of Canada. Producers had been able to import antibiotics and other animal health products under “own use” rules. Now, producers can no longer import medically important antibiotic products and need a prescription to access those products in Canada.

The regulations do allow for producer access to a range of veterinary drugs listed on Health Canada’s List B, which can still be imported by producers themselves for their own use, but not sold. This includes pour-on endectocides and growth implants such as Cydectin, Ivomec, Ralgro and Synovex to name a few. They must be finished products in commercial form, with proper packaging, and registered for use in Canada.

Growing awareness of using products responsibly has resulted in an 11 per cent reduction in the use of antibiotic products in Canada in the past year, said Jean Szkotnicki, president of the Canadian Animal Health Institute.

Be prepared

Producers need to plan ahead for these new rules, said Karin Schmid, beef production specialist with Alberta Beef Producers.

“Producers will need to establish the veterinary-client-patient relationship in order to obtain a prescription and maintain timely access to treatment of their animals,” she said.

They should also talk to their vet about common herd health challenges they may encounter, she added.

“Perhaps pink eye is a common problem at certain times of the year or in certain pastures, for example — so as part of the herd health plan you can anticipate some of those needs and have the prescriptions and medications in place so they are on hand when you need them,” said Schmid.

Having a VCPR and prescription in place are key elements in being prepared.

If a producer discovers on a Saturday afternoon a case of pink eye in an animal that needs to be treated, for example, they won’t have the option to run to a local farm supply outlet and pick up a bottle of penicillin. It also means, a producer can’t just stop in at a veterinary clinic and pick up an antibiotic from staff if there is no veterinarian on duty.

A VCPR doesn’t usually involve a formal written agreement.

But it means the veterinarian knows the operator, visits the farm or ranch to get an understanding of the operation, sees how animals are cared for, and is confident the producer will be responsible in following medical advice and properly use any products as directed. Establishing a VCPR starts with a producer sitting down with a vet to discuss his or her livestock operation and provide some record of animal health treatment protocols. It may or may not involve a farm visit.

The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association has five requirements for VCPR:

• The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of the herd and the client has agreed to follow the vet’s instructions.
• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the herd through examinations and ranch visits.
• The vet is readily available for followup evaluation or has arranged for emergency coverage, and continuing care and treatment.
• The veterinarian provides oversight of treatment, compliance, and outcome.
• Patient records are maintained.

The producer’s part of the VCPR is allowing the veterinarian to take responsibility for making clinical judgments about animal health, asking appropriate questions, and following instructions. The veterinarian’s part of the VCPR involves making judgments; accepting the responsibility for providing medical care; keeping written records; advising clients of the benefits and risks of different treatment options; providing oversight of treatment, compliance, and outcome; and arranging for emergency care.

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Dr. Duane Landals of Onoway has been given the 2017 Carl Block Award by the Canadian Animal Health Coalition.

For more than 37 years Landals has “contributed significantly” to veterinary medicine, both in Canada and internationally. He has served as president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; vice-president of the World Veterinary Association; and president and then registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. He continues to serve with many organizations, including Veterinarians Without Borders; the Registry of Approved Continuing Education Committee of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards; the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Pharmaceutical Stewardship Advisory Group; and the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council antimicrobial-resistance working group.

Landals was also the owner and operator of two multi-species veterinary practices for 35 years and owned a rural veterinary practice and a beef cattle and horse ranch for 25 years.

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You might be tempted to put on some Pink Floyd, dim the lights, and give them a little something to mellow them out.

All of the attention on the pending legalization of marijuana has pet owners asking their vets about whether edible cannabis products are suitable for dogs or cats with behavioural problems or medical issues.

But before dealing doggy dope or carrying kitty cannabis, think again, says the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.

“There is a real lack of evidence and information about cannabis use in animals,” said veterinarian Dr. Phil Buote, the association’s complaints director. “Veterinarians are in a situation where they’re being asked for a product that really doesn’t have sufficient research behind it to be able to safely make the recommendation to administer to pets.”

His association has been fielding calls from vets across the province about the safety and effectiveness of administering cannabis to companion animals, said Buote.

“If an animal owner has exhausted other treatment options, they may look for alternatives, as they might do for themselves in human medicine,” he said. “The issue is whether or not there’s sufficient information that a veterinarian can comfortably and confidently oversee the treatment of an animal with a cannabis-based product.”

And the answer is a definite no can do doggy dude.

“The research is not there to ensure that those products are safe or effective for the treatment of any kind of condition,” he said.

The benefits of administering cannabis to animals are still theoretical as there is a “gross lack of randomized clinical trials and evidence that they are safe and beneficial,” the association said in a recent statement to its members.

Moreover, the pending legalization of cannabis only applies to people, not pets, and there’s been no approval from Health Canada’s veterinary drug directorate — which is typically required for any drug given to pets or livestock.

Veterinarians not only want to see solid research on the safety and efficacy of cannabis products, they also need information such as how to administer it, what dosage to prescribe, and how long the animal should be treated, said Buote.

He also advises against pet owners going on the internet to find products containing cannabis for their animals. There’s no evidence those products actually work and they might be dangerous.

“There’s nothing on the market that’s approved by Health Canada to treat pets,” said Buote.

“There are some products that might barely be described as ‘natural’ health products, though none are approved through natural health product regulations.

“They could be administered to pets, but there’s still no data on the safety or efficacy of those products.”

And the potential side-effects go beyond a case of the munchies.

There has been “a significant increase in the number of incidences of marijuana toxicity” in jurisdictions where cannabis has been decriminalized or legalized, he said. The biggest concern is for dogs, as cats are less likely to eat something that has fallen to the floor or been left lying around.

“We know that dogs aren’t really discerning when it comes to eating things, so they could potentially ingest a discarded butt of a joint or consume some edible products that contain cannabis,” said Buote.

Symptoms in animals include sleepiness, salivation, dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes, a fast heart rate, sensitivity to light or sound, increased vocalization, wobbling, pacing, and agitation.

“Some of those side-effects probably aren’t surprising, but dogs are thought to be very sensitive to THC, one of the active compounds in cannabis,” said Buote.

And while there is some potential for therapeutic uses of cannabis in companion animals, that’s a long ways off, said Buote.

“We don’t really have any research into the risks.”

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