As I write this we’re getting prepared for subzero temperatures here on the Palouse. Hopefully by the time you read this we’re all on the other side of the cold snap and with spring on the (distant) horizon. I’ll use that as a segue to mention that a cadre of veterinary students has come together to organize a student chapter of the Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium (SHBVC) in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
I can’t think of anything more springlike than honeybees, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this club blossoms given the buzz around it! Not only do we have this new club to help educate future practitioners about honeybee medicine and management, but we also have a new veterinary postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Melissa Holahan, with experience in beekeeping and veterinary oversight. Dr. Holahan is actually working with us on a small ruminant project funded through the USDA’s National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program. She’s establishing baseline sheep and goat diagnostic outcomes to support WADDL and Veterinary Medicine Extension outreach regarding small ruminant diagnostic capabilities and limitations. However, given her bee-keeping expertise, we’ve cajoled her into speaking at the upcoming WSU Veterinary Continuing Education Spring Conference (March 22-24, 2024) as well. We have a great conference planned, offering 12 CE credits across multiple disciplines, so make sure to get it on your calendar. In the meantime, we’ll all be thinking warm thoughts and hoping for a quick end to frigid temps!
Stories in this issue
- WSU ag animal faculty research updates, spring 2024 Title: Host and rumen microbiome contributions to feed efficiency traits in Holstein cowsTitle: Comparative diagnoses of respiratory disease in preweaned dairy calves using sequential thoracic ultrasonography and clinical respiratory scoring
- Impacts of Beef-on-Dairy on herd performance and economics The use of dairy cattle as a source of beef has served as an alternative for maintaining the beef supply in U.S. markets.
- WSU College of Veterinary Medicine senior paper highlights, January 2024
- Washington Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence: Survey Washington Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence (CoE) and Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) are conducting a survey to assess antimicrobial use patterns and tendencies among Washington State practicing veterinarians. The results of this survey will be used to assess trends in antimicrobial use in veterinarians and assist in the development of resources for […]
- Opening of Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) FY 2024 application cycle and publishing of 2024 Veterinary Shortage Situation Areas USDA: The deadline for VSGP applications is Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. EST.
- Opening of Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Fiscal Year 2024 Application Cycle USDA: January 11, 2024
- New Year’s resolutions for companion animal vets from the state vet’s office Be RAD and use the RAD (Reportable Animal Disease) platform to report diseases of concern, new or emerging diseases, high morbidity or mortality events, or diseases with public health concern. Use free Electronic CVIS on Oregon Veterinary Information Systems. Use www.interstate.com for all your export needs. Educate clients on rescuing pets – What to Know […]
- New Year’s resolutions for livestock vets from the state vet’s office By Dr. Amber Itle, WA State Veterinarian Get to know your regional WSDA field vet: Contact List. Be RAD and use the RAD (Reportable Animal Disease) platform to report diseases of concern, new or emerging diseases, high morbidity or mortality events, or diseases with public health concern. Use free Electronic CVIS on Oregon Veterinary Information […]
- The importance of DCAD and time in the close-up period on postpartum health and production of dairy cows The transition period is considered one of the most challenging stages in the life of a dairy cow.
- Winter dysentery In February of last year, the FDIU group worked with a dairy that was experiencing an outbreak of winter dysentery in their lactating cattle
- Club Lamb Fungus (Sheep Ringworm)—Winter precautions Sheep dermatophytosis (wool rot, lumpy wool, sheep ringworm) is commonly referred to as club lamb fungus. There has been an increase in prevalence over recent years due to the popularity of sheep exhibitions without a concurrent expansion of biosecurity protocols.
- The Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA) is looking for veterinarians who are interested in working with beekeepers By CS McConnel, Veterinary Medicine Extension In January 2017 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the implementation of Guidance for Industry #213, a process that began in 2013 to transition antimicrobial drugs with importance in human medicine (medically important antimicrobials) that are used in the feed or drinking water of food-producing animals to veterinary […]