Sixteen teams of golfers drove, chipped, and putted their way around Veenker Memorial Golf Course to support the AASV Foundation during the golf outing held in Ames, Iowa on August 23rd. Setting a new record for participation, the 65 golfers enjoyed sunny weather and strong competition. For the second year in a row, AVMA-PLITâs team of Mike Albian, Andrew Vernon, Drew Maconachy, and Dustin Furnari took the eventâs top honors with a team score of 61, followed by the Merck-hosted team of Dave Bomgaars, Chris Bomgaars, Jeff Blythe, and Dave Iverson, scoring 64.
Monthly Archives: August 2012
People on the Move: Dr. Brett O’Brien
Dr. Brett O’Brien recently joined the Pfizer Animal Health Pork Technical Services Team as a Technical Services Veterinarian based in Mankato, Minn. She was previously employed with PFFJ in Taylor, Ariz. Updated contact information for Dr. O’Brien is available at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
PRRS Corner: IN BOAH Releases Swine Health Communication Guidelines
The Indiana Swine Health Advisory Committeeâs scientific subcommittee on PRRS has worked collaboratively with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) to assess the value and practicality of sharing information among neighboring swine producers regarding their herdsâ PRRS exposure status. Based on increasing risk from new, more virulent PRRS strains and availability of improved and more affordable diagnostics and prevention methods, BOAH and the scientific subcommittee recommend the following guidelines for good neighbor action in the event of a change to PRRS exposed status.
H3N2v Update: New Cases Reported, Limited Person-to-Person Transmission Detected [edited]
As of the latest official report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dated August 24, 2012, 52 additional cases of H3N2v are being reported, bringing the total number of such infections since July 2012 in the United States to 276 across 10 states. Investigations into H3N2v cases indicate that the main risk factor for infection is exposure to pigs, mostly in fair settings; however, CDC also is reporting three instances of likely human-to-human spread of this virus during the current outbreaks. Found in pigs in 2010 and first detected in humans in July 2011, this H3N2 variant virus appears to be more transmissible from pigs to people than other variant viruses. The CDC is working with states to respond to this evolving situation and continues to monitor the situation closely.
DEA Controlled Substances Update
This past April, California veterinarians received requests for clarification on their principal places of business when a residential address was used. While not illegal, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) does not like to see a residential address used as a place where controlled substances are delivered and stored. That being said, controlled substances cannot be taken outside of a registered location per CFR 1301.12, âA separate registration is required for each principal place of business or professional practice at one general physical location where controlled substances are manufactured, distributed, imported, exported or dispensed by a person.â This means that it is illegal for veterinarians to carry controlled substances out of the registered location, be it a home or clinic, for use on farms, in petâs homes, or in veterinary mobile units.
Boehringer Ingelheim Encourages Vets, Researchers to Submit PRRS Research Proposals
For the last 10 years, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) has contributed $75,000 annually through its Advancement in PRRS Research Awards to fund three selected research programs. According to Tara Donovan, DVM, president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), ongoing research efforts have been successful in helping producers and veterinarians learn more about the disease and how to more effectively manage it. âThese studies have generated a tremendous amount of knowledge and data about the PRRS virus, how it is transmitted and how to better control it,â Donovan says. âBut additional research is still needed as we have a long way to go to, hopefully, eradicate PRRS and help swine producers be more productive.â
ASF Outbreak in Ukraine a Major Warning Sign
Following the first-ever detection of African swine fever in Ukraine, the United Nationsâ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is warning that while control measures appear to have temporarily halted the disease’s spread, it has established a firm foothold in the Caucasus and poses an ongoing risk to neighbouring areas.
An Efficient Protocol for Inducing Pseudopregnancy Using Estradiol Dipropionate and Follicular Development Associated with Changes in Reproductive Hormones after Prostaglandin F2alpha Treatment in Pseudopregnant Sows
Utilization of estrus synchronization program in livestock industry would provide greater options for reproductive management in herd. To develop a convenient method for estrus synchronization in pigs, we determined the effective protocol using estradiol dipropionate (EDP) for the establishment of pseudopregnancy and investigated follicular development during the estrus synchronization with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) in association with reproductive hormone profiles in pseudopregnant sows.
Position Announcement: Director of Technical Services, PIC Europe
PIC seeks a Director of Technical Services, PIC Europe, who will be responsible for leading the team charged with providing technical service and product support to PICâs current and prospective customers.
Position Announcement: Director of Health Services
PIC seeks a Director of Health Services to lead the Health Services team globally, improve herd health of current and prospective customers, and improve the performance of PIC products.