“Pacific
13 May

Okanogan and Whatcom join counties with confirmed bird flu cases

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Washington state now has eight confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. The latest two come from Okanogan and Whatcom counties. State veterinarians are urging flock owners to be hyper-vigilant in ensuring there is no farm-to-farm transfer of the virus from infected flocks and to eliminate exposure of domestic flocks to wild birds as much as possible. The two most recent cases of HPAI were in non-commercial backyard flocks and were confirmed yesterday afternoon, May 12. Flock owners contacted the Washington...

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13 May

Backyard flocks infected with avian flu total six, more under investigation

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Two more detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, this time in Clallam County, make six affected flocks in Washington state. With a half-dozen cases since the first confirmed detection less than a week ago, biosecurity has never been more important for bird owners. State veterinarians are urging flock owners to be hyper-vigilant in ensuring there is no farm-to-farm transfer of the virus from infected flocks and eliminate exposure of domestic flocks to wild birds as much as possible. “With so...

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13 May

Avian influenza guidance for veterinarians

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Veterinarians with clients reporting sick birds should focus on getting a full history. WSDA is most interested in morbidity and mortality rates on farms. Usually, avian influenza doesn’t present as a single bird illness or single bird death. If your client is reporting a mass morbidity or mortality event, please refer them to WSDA.  If it’s a single bird, take biosecurity precautions, and prior to scheduling the appointment, please collect this minimal information to make that determination: How many birds do you have? ...

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13 May

Do you want your staff to exceed client expectations? Don’t miss this important training! – Only 2 Spots Left!

wsvma   |   Continuing Education

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, the WSVMA is offering a valuable educational program to equip teams with the skills and tools they need to keep clients happy and committed to their pet’s health. This program will help staff be more confident and comfortable communicating with clients, with the client’s and patient’s needs in mind, while providing the ultimate client experience. Presented by Terra Shastri, this one-day Boot Camp workshop will cover the following with your staff: Making a great first...

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06 May

Veterinary Board of Governors approves technician program opposed by the veterinary profession

wsvma   |   Professional News

At their May 5 special meeting, the Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) voted to endorse a proposed apprenticeship program for veterinary technicians, a decision that has upset several state and national veterinary associations. The proposal was brought forward by Cascade Veterinary Clinics (CVC) in central Washington and the North Central Workforce Development Council (NCWDC) as an answer to the local shortage of veterinary technicians. The Board’s vote concluded a two-year process. Lack of accreditation The main reason for the opposition from veterinary...

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