Reading Time: 3 minutes Since the first horse was detected with West Nile virus in Canada in 2002, the prevalence of the disease has cycled annually through peaks and troughs. The number of cases in horses initially peaked in 2003 following its introduction, with many fewer cases reported until 2007 when the incidence of the disease spiked once again. […] Read more
West Nile virus numbers spiked again this summer
The number of cases of this disease in horses rises and falls depending on a complex interplay of factors
Premises ID system proves its worth
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta’s Premises Identification System is 10 years old and now contains more than 43,000 premises, which provides a way of linking livestock and poultry to specific pieces of land, or premises. This information can be critical in notifying livestock owners in relation to an outbreak, natural or other disaster. The notification process was used during […] Read more
Livestock producers and vets need to communicate in the new VCPR world
The days when you could just phone a vet and ask for a prescription are now done and dusted
Reading Time: 5 minutes Producers, do you have a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship? As of Dec. 1, all antimicrobials used in animals will require a prescription from a registered veterinarian — and vets can only write a prescription if the four conditions that define a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) are met. Some producers may be wary of this new set of regulations, […] Read more
The nuts and bolts of a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
A veterinarian needs to know your operation and you need to agree to his or her recommendations
Reading Time: 2 minutes The requirement for a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship for obtaining a prescription for an antimicrobial isn’t just a Canadian thing. “It’s much bigger than us, it’s a global initiative,” said Dr. Mike Jelinski, a partner in Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Airdrie. This whole initiative of tightening up on antibiotics came down from Health Canada because it is […] Read more
Vet award winners announced
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association has announced the recipients of its 2018 ABVMA awards. 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. […] Read more
Don’t medicate your pets with pot products
Reading Time: < 1 minute Don’t “treat companion animals with cannabinoids” without first talking to your vet, says the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. “While there is preliminary evidence to suggest cannabinoids have the potential to be beneficial for a number of medical conditions in companion animals, research into cannabinoids and their effects on pets is limited,” the association said in […] Read more
An example of making the most of a pass through the squeeze chute
Beef 911: Don’t take a ‘we can do it later’ attitude and miss the opportunity to get more done in one pass
Reading Time: 4 minutes Some preplanning by the cattle producer in consultation with the herd veterinarian ahead of a major processing will accomplish many things, including herd improvement. This article will describe a specific example of this. Certain points may fit into the management of your operation. Some points may become obvious when the processing starts and can be […] Read more
Pork producers need to be on guard for African swine fever
The disease is ravaging herds in China and Europe, and could come here through infected feed ingredients
Reading Time: 3 minutes African swine fever hasn’t been found in North America, but pork producers still have reason to be concerned. “If we get it, we cannot control the spread and the whole population will be destroyed by it,” said Javier Bahamon, quality assurance and production manager with Alberta Pork. “Pretty much the whole population of animals needs […] Read more
What you need to know about the herpes virus in horses
A recent case in Saskatchewan has prompted warnings, but many horses carry the virus without becoming ill
Reading Time: 3 minutes A diagnosis of Neurotropic equine herpesvirus (nEHV-1) in a horse displaying neurological symptoms has recently been confirmed in Saskatchewan. Prior to diagnosis this horse had travelled to a number of rodeos in Alberta and thus there is the potential for exposure of numerous horses. As a result, horse owners have been alerted and are advised […] Read more
Eugene Janzen wins outstanding beef researcher award
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr. Eugene Janzen is the winner of the 2018 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. The University of Calgary College of Veterinary Medicine professor has contributed to a number of cattle health and welfare issues. These include diseases and pathology of feedlot cattle and cow-calf operations, Johne’s disease, bovine viral diarrhea, lameness, […] Read more
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