Dr. Matthew Wegner has been assigned to the United States Army Medical Component-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand. In this new assignment, Dr. Wegner will serve as the Chief of the Division of Comparative Pathology and Veterinary Medical Research. He was formerly assigned to the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as a chemical defense research pathologist and the Chief of Laboratory Services. Updated contact information for Dr. Wegner is available at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
Monthly Archives: October 2015
Researchers Invent Oral Vaccine Platform to Combat PCV2
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have developed an oral vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) based on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. [Source: thePigSite]
Attitudes of Farmers and Veterinarians towards Pain and the Use of Pain Relief in Pigs
A survey of UK-based pig farmers and veterinarians was conducted, in order to investigate attitudes to pain and the use of pain relief in pigs. Survey respondents were asked to indicate which anti-inflammatory drugs they used or prescribed for pigs, how often these were administered, and the level of pain they associated with particular conditions. The survey found that veterinarians used a range of anti-inflammatory products to treat pigs with lameness. While both farmers and veterinarians gave similar pain scores overall, farmers rated gastrointestinal disease as more painful and conversely veterinarians scored lameness higher. Female and younger respondents gave higher pain scores than males and older respondents. Overall, farmers and veterinarians had a positive attitude towards pain relief in pigs with the majority agreeing that animals recovered more promptly when pain relief was administered. Most farmers agreed that the recognition and management of pain is an important part of pig husbandry, and many expressed an interest in finding out more about identifying pain in this species as well as the treatment options available. The study highlighted potential barriers to the increased application of pain relief in pigs in that almost one-third of veterinarians and two-thirds of farmers did not agree that they discussed pain management with each other, while other respondents indicated that they found it difficult to recognise pain in pigs, and did not know how to treat it appropriately. Ison SH, Rutherford KM; Attitudes of Farmers and Veterinarians towards Pain and the Use of Pain Relief in Pigs; Vet J. 2014 Dec;202(3):622-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.10.003. Epub 2014 Oct 8.
Number and Distribution of SVV Cases
Dr Rodger Main, DVM, PhD. Director of ISU VDL supplied AASV e-Letter with an update of the number and distribution of PCR positive Senecavirus A cases submitted to the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab between the weeks of July 26, 2015 and October 11, 2015. Click here to view the state by state distribution and a graph showing the cumulative number of PCR positive cases by farm type.
Canadian Western Truck Wash Certification Program Proves Successful
An Alberta based swine veterinarian says the Canadian Western Truck Wash Certification Program is proving to be really successful. Pork organizations in the 4 western provinces have launched a new program to help facilities that offer swine transport washes improve their services. [Source: Farmscape for October 21, 2015]
Effects of Free-Range and Confined Housing on Joint Health in a Herd of Fattening Pigs
Free-range housing, in which pigs have access to both indoor and outdoor areas, is mandatory in organic pig production in Europe, but little is known about the effects of this housing on joint health in pigs. A high level of joint condemnations at slaughter has been reported in organic free-range pigs in Sweden, compared with pigs raised in conventional confined housing. We hypothesised that biomechanical forces imposed on the joints of pigs that range freely promote the development of osteochondrosis and lead to joint condemnation. We compared the prevalence of osteochondrosis and other joint lesions (e.g. arthritis, traumatic) in the elbow and hock joints of 91 crossbred Hampshire (Yorkshire x Landrace) fattening pigs that were housed in a free-range indoor/outdoor system with that in 45 pigs housed in confined indoor pens.
Register for North American PRRS Symposium
Registration is now open for the 2015 North American PRRS Symposium (NA-PRRS) on Emerging and Foreign Animal Diseases, to be held December 5-6 at the InterContinental Chicago (note, the deadline to receive the special room rate is November 3). Registration for the NA PRRS Symposium includes educational sessions, poster session, symposium proceedings and all refreshment breaks. Lunch will also be provided on Saturday and Sunday for those registered. To register or view the program, go to https://ksvma.site-ym.com/?NAPRRS.
Passion for Pigs Seminars Coming Soon to Ohio, Iowa, Missouri
Passion for Pigs is bringing their popular Seminar and Trade Show to three Midwest locations in the coming weeks. North Central Veterinary Service (Dr Todd Price) has partnered with Passion for Pigs for the November 3 event in Fairborn, Ohio, which offers 2 concurrent educational sessions – a commercial session and a show pig session. On November 18, the Orange City Veterinary Clinic will host Passion for Pigs in Orange City, Iowa, and on December 8, the Seminar & Trade Show returns to its home base in Columbia, Missouri. For more information about the program, or to register yourself or your clients, see www.passionforpigs.com, or contact Julie Lolli at 660-651-0570 or julie.nevets@nevetsrv.com.
People on the Move: Dr. Patrick Hoffmann
Dr. Patrick Hoffmann (ISU 2010) is now Director of Health Assurance for DNA Swine Genetics, where he oversees all aspects of health and biosecurity. Updated contact information for Dr. Hoffmann is available at www.aasv.org/members/only/directory.php. Are you on the move? If so, let us know at aasv@aasv.org.
AASV Wants YOU (to Share Your Tip)!
What’s one thing you do that makes you more efficient? Impresses your clients? Helps you communicate? Makes a repetitive task quicker and easier? Simplifies sample submission? Keeps your day/equipment/records organized? Whatever it is that makes you a better swine veterinarian, why not share it at the 2016 AASV Annual Meeting? There is no paper required, and you might even win a cash prize! The 2016 Practice Tips seminar will be held on Saturday afternoon, February 27. There is only one presentation left to fill, so respond today! Please contact Dr. Jeff Harker (jwharkerdvm@sbcglobal.net) or the AASV office (aasv@aasv.org) to volunteer – or encourage a colleague to do the same.