Reading Time: < 1 minute A pilot project promoting a more humane euthanasia device has resulted in its widespread adoption in the Alberta hog sector. “This more humane method of euthanasia is now well accepted and is being used,” said Javier Bahamon, manager of quality assurance with Alberta Pork. “Today, 30 per cent of Alberta’s sow herd is covered. Now […] Read more
Big uptake for more humane euthanasia device
Producers rush to acquire non-penetrating bolt stunner after Alberta Pork pilot project
Horse euthanasia: When is the ‘right time’ to end suffering
Horse Health: The strong bond most horse owners develop with their equine companions makes this a very difficult choice
Reading Time: 3 minutes Sometimes the decision to euthanize a horse and end suffering is clearly obvious. This can occur when a horse has a severe injury or an unrelenting and non-responsive illness such as laminitis or colic. However, all circumstances are not so straightforward and many times horse owners are confronted with situations of illness, injury or aging […] Read more
Parvovirus cases recently reported in Alberta
The virus can be fatal for dogs and the provincial vet association says vaccination is crucial
Reading Time: < 1 minute Several cases of parvovirus have recently been reported in Alberta. The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association strongly encourages anyone with questions about parvovirus or suspect their pet may have parvovirus to seek the immediate advice of a registered veterinarian. Parvovirus is a hardy, highly contagious, often deadly virus that’s spread through the feces of infected dogs. […] Read more
Gastric ulcers in horses
Horse Health: This malady is part of a much bigger problem
Reading Time: 4 minutes Recognition and medical treatment of gastric ulcers in horses has been well established for many years now. Initially veterinarians thought ulcers in the digestive tract of the horse were limited to the stomach or gastric mucosa. This was a logical conclusion since the presence of the open ulcers in the stomach could be diagnosed and […] Read more
The facts about the dangers of antibiotic resistance
Beef 911: The cattle industry is doing a good job to prevent resistance and we are improving those efforts
Reading Time: 4 minutes There has been volumes written on antibiotic/antimicrobial resistance in the last several years. This article will highlight some of the key points on how well the cattle industry is doing so far and predict what changes veterinarians may make in their recommendations going forward. For those of you who crave more detailed information, there are […] Read more
Craig Dorin named vet of the year
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr. Craig Dorin of Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Airdrie is the recipient of this year’s Veterinarian of the Year Award given out by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. Other award winners were Dr. Cary Hashizume (Meritorious Service Award), Dr. Blake Balog (Young Veterinarian of the Year Award), and Shirley Gostola (Veterinary Technologist of the Year […] Read more
You can still get good protection by vaccinating very young calves
Beef 911: The label may say it’s not approved for young calves, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work
Reading Time: 4 minutes There has been a lot of trial work over the years regarding vaccinations of our calves and when would be the most ideal time. Immunologists would debate this but as situations on farms changed and herds got larger, trends changed. Producers no longer boostered vaccines at four to six weeks apart as was often recommended. […] Read more
Top tips for vaccinating
Storage, the injection route, and when you administer a vaccine are all key, says Dr. Nathan Erickson
Reading Time: 2 minutes Time it right A vaccine needs to match the immune response of the cattle to the vaccine and the period of greatest risk. “So for BVD, the risk period is the first three months of gestation, while IBR, lepto, and vibrio, they tend to be a little bit later in gestation — around four months,” […] Read more
TB testing to continue into January
Reading Time: < 1 minute As of Dec. 7, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed six cases of bovine TB. This number includes the cow that was confirmed to have the disease when it was slaughtered in the U.S. All confirmed cases are still from one infected herd located on 18 premises. Approximately 50 premises are under quarantine — […] Read more
We need to do better when it comes to castration
Beef 911: Doing it early and properly brings benefits to the producers, addresses animal welfare concerns, and prevents problems later on
Reading Time: 4 minutes We now have many tools at our disposal when it comes to castration of calves in the beef and dairy sectors of our industry. When used together in skilled hands, newer techniques at castration along with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) will ensure welfare issues are addressed. Much has changed in the feedlot industry. Cattle are not […] Read more