February 01, 2020

AVMA provides resource on African swine fever

African swine fever has been reported in seven of the top 10 pork-producing countries, and U.S. pork producers, swine veterinarians, and government officials are working hard to keep it out of the United States through surveillance and prevention efforts.

ASF is a severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. It kills about 90% of affected pigs and is highly contagious. Outbreaks have occurred mostly in Asia and Eastern Europe. There is no treatment or vaccine for the disease, so prevention is key to protecting pigs from it.

A new online resource from the AVMA is aimed at small animal and mixed-animal veterinarians, who also can play a role in preventing ASF from coming to the U.S. The African swine fever page does the following:

• Helps veterinary team members communicate with clients about African swine fever.
• Provides reporting information and prevention guidelines.
• Outlines biosecurity measures related to travel and animal importation.
• Outlines the roles of companion animal and mixed-animal veterinarians in preventing the spread of the disease.

AVMA offers resources for Pet Dental Health Month

The AVMA has developed a variety of resources for National Pet Dental Health Month in February that also are available year-round to promote dental health in cats and dogs. 

Resources for pet owners consist of an overview of pet dental health, a video on periodontal disease, a quiz on pet dental health, a page about anesthesia, and a video on toothbrushing.

Also at avma.org/petdental is a link to a veterinary toolkit on pet dental health, available only to AVMA members. The toolkit starts with clinic materials and tools such as a flyer, handout, and brochure. Publicity and marketing tools are under the headings of “Stress-Free Ways to Celebrate in Your Clinic,” “Promotion and Marketing Ideas,” “Publicity Tools,” and “Talking Points for Media Interviews.”

Content for social media and websites includes posts for Facebook and Twitter as well as images to share on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. The veterinary toolkit also provides links to content from Partners for Healthy Pets for Facebook, Twitter, and websites.

WSAVA certificate program focuses on companion animals in one health 

The One Health Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association has launched a free certificate program focusing on the role of companion animals in one health.

While the general one-health concept is well understood in relation to the interactions between production animals, wildlife, the environment, and humans, the WSAVA believes that the growing significance of the bond between humans and companion animals in one health is not yet fully appreciated.

The 20 modules in the certificate program cover all aspects of one health as it relates to companion animals. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards’ Registry of Approved Continuing Education has certified the modules for CE credits.

The Colorado State University Center for Companion Animal Studies is collaborating on the certificate program. The modules available at press time in late December covered the one-health concept, zoonoses, domestic violence, comparative aging, and leptospirosis.

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