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Occasionally
there are several things that need to be reported on, but do not call
for a full article. This month I want to cover some of those topics and
clean out the cupboard.
Avian
Influenza Testing
If
you frequent flea markets where poultry is sold or traded, you may
notice some of our field staff in disposable coveralls and boot covers
there testing chickens. This is nothing to cause alarm or to send a
message that we suspect disease at that market. This is simply part of
the Avian Influenza surveillance program in Alabama. Additionally, we
would remind anyone who owns "backyard poultry" to contact
Dana Bennett, our director of poultry, if you have birds in your flock
that become sick or begin dying.
Pet Food
Recall
At
the time I am writing this article, there is still on-going testing and
investigations into the cause of deaths in the dogs and cats that were
linked to eating the recalled brands of pet food that began back in
mid-March. And the recall continues to expand as other companies include
products that could contain tainted wheat gluten. There were early
findings by a New York State laboratory of aminopterin, a type of rat
poison that is illegal in the United States. A week later, FDA tests
revealed the presence of melamine, a chemical compound used in making
plastics. If you have tried to keep up with information about the
recall, the reports have occasionally varied and may have been difficult
to follow.
Here
is some simple advice anytime there is a recall: 1) Stop using the
product immediately, even if you have been using it previously with no
apparent adverse affects, and take any unused product back to where it
came from and get a documented refund. 2) If your pet gets sick, seek
immediate veterinary attention. 3) Seek information from credible
sources, such as your local veterinarian, the company website and, of
course, press releases from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and
Industries.
This
is an extremely sad situation for those whose pets have been affected
and we hope this will prompt further firewalls to be put in place that
will prevent such occurrences in the future. In the meantime, the
Alabama Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Consumer Safety
Specialists continue to monitor the effectiveness of the recall and our
laboratories have been available to assist private practicing
veterinarians in diagnosing pet diseases.
West Nile
and Other Mosquito-borne
Diseases
I
really hope it is raining when you are reading this, because it has
really been dry lately. However, the combination of standing water and
warm weather brings the mosquitoes back from wherever it is that they go
on vacation. That means that your horses should be vaccinated for West
Nile virus, as well as Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus. Spring is also
the ideal time to vaccinate for other equine diseases. We suggest that
you develop a preventive medicine program with your veterinarian. It is
tragic to learn that someone lost a horse to a disease that was
preventable by vaccination.
Late
Spring/Early Summer Cattle Management
As
I just mentioned, I hope it is raining when you are reading this, but
just in case it is still dry, early weaning of calves may be something
to consider this year. Even though you may not make as much off the sale
of your calves, the long-term health benefits to the dam will pay
dividends down the road. This summer may also be time to cull old or
problem cows before another winter gets here.
Premises
Registration
Confused
about the direction of animal identification? If you attended any of the
early educational ID meetings, you heard us and others pounding on the
podium encouraging you to register your premises because the plan was
for it to become mandatory in the foreseeable future. Well, if you haven’t
been in a foreign country for the last few months, you have likely heard
that USDA has said that the National Animal Identification System is and
will always be voluntary. We in Alabama will continue to encourage
premises registration because of the advantage it would give us in the
event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. A premises registration
system that has the majority of the livestock-associated premises in a
database will give us a tremendous head start in responding to the
disease. If you have questions about premises registration, please do
not hesitate to contact us at 334-240-7253.
Chronic
Wasting Disease Monitoring Plans
We
are presently working to develop a State Chronic Wasting Disease
Monitoring Plan. Before long we should be able to offer a plan to
"Farmed Cervid" owners that will be consistent with the plan
being considered as a model by the USDA. We will work closely with USDA
and the state wildlife folks to present a plan that accomplishes our
surveillance goals, and at the same time, is manageable and workable for
the producer. Stay tuned! |
