IVMA
Communiqué
"Serving veterinarians for the benefit of animal and human health."
July 9, 2019
3 Additional Cases of Canine Brucellosis Confirmed
Three more cases of canine brucellosis have been documented in dogs linked to an Iowa breeder. Anyone who obtained a dog from Double G Kennels or IowaPuppies.com should have the animal tested, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Nine puppies have already tested positive for the disease, which can also infect humans.


More information about Canine Brucellosis is available through the Center for Food Security and Public Health .  
Two Iowa Horses Tested Positive for West Nile Virus
The Iowa Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian has confirmed 2 horses have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). On June 19, 2019, a 2-year old Quarter horse gelding in Union County tested positive for WNV. The gelding was displaying mild clinical signs and had no history of vaccination against WNV. On June 24, 2019, a 15-year old Thoroughbred mare in Davis County displayed hind-quarter ataxia and muscle fasciculations. The mare is being treated and reported recovering. The mare was not vaccinated for WNV during the previous 12 months but has a history of vaccination from two years ago. These are the first cases of confirmed WNV in horses in Iowa during 2019. Visit IDALS website for additional information . 
Get Ready for Fair Season - Review 2019 Health Requirements
It’s county and state fair season! Help your clients prepare their animals for competition by reviewing the 2019 Health Requirements for the Exhibition of Livestock, Poultry and Birds at State Fair, District Shows and Exhibitions . These requirements change almost every year. Read the requirements carefully to make sure your clients are following the most current rules. The document is available online at https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau.   

Also please read the “Myth Busters” article which talks about Myths about CVI’s at Iowa exhibitions on page 13 of the 2019 Animal Industry Newsletter.

When writing official ID numbers on Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, remember to write the complete ID number. If you have questions or want to see examples of acceptable CVI’s for the 2019 Iowa State Fair, send an email to greg.schmitt@iowaagriculture.gov or contact the State District Veterinarian in your area.

Photo: Iowa State Fair
Iowa Attorney General Provides Statement on Hemp and CBD Products
Iowa Attorney General, Tom Miller released a statement this week to address questions about the legality of products containing cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is considered marijuana under Iowa law. CBD and its psychoactive component, tetrahydrocannabinols ( THC) is a Schedule I controlled substance under Iowa Law and is illegal.

Although there is an exception for humans who obtain a state-issued registration cared under the Medical Cannabiodiol Act, there is no legal program for animals. It is illegal for veterinarians to prescribe, administer, dispense or recommend any products derived from the Cannabis family of plants to their patients in Iowa.

Because the products are illegal under Iowa law, local law enforcement agencies retain the authority and discretion to take criminal enforcement action against people who sell or possess over-the counter CBD products.

The Attorney General's statement also refers to the Iowa Hemp Act, which Gov. Kim Reynolds signed in May which will allow for the production of hemp (cannabis with a THC concentration of less than .3%) in Iowa in the future. This act does not have any provisions for animal products.


FDA addresses Cannabis Products for Pets
The FDA issued a Questions and Answers statement about Cannabis-Derived Products. One of the questions addresses cannabis products being marketed for pets. Read more .
Let us Know How We Are Doing
In order to get a better idea of how the IVMA is meeting its members' needs, we are conducting a Member Needs and Satisfaction Survey in July. We hope to use the results of the survey to improve the quality of service and benefits the IVMA is providing to our members and get new ideas for future offerings.
 
You will receive the survey via email if you have an email on file with the IVMA. If you don’t, look for the survey in paper form in the mail. The survey should take you about 15 minutes to complete and you will have two weeks to complete and return the survey.
 
If you complete the survey, you will be in a drawing for a $100 VISA gift card! Our online survey program will allow you to enter the drawing, while still keeping your answers anonymous (mailed survey will need to include a name to be entered in the drawing). 
 
Thank you for helping to make the IVMA a better association for YOU!
Volunteer for Iowa State Fair Swine-Check-Ins
To ensure the health of pigs coming into the Iowa State Fair, volunteer veterinarians are needed to help with 4H, FFA and open class swine check-ins.

Volunteer Check-in times include:
FFA - August 6, Midnight- 2:00 pm
4H - August 10, 4 am - Noon
Open class - August 14, 6 am -10:00 am

Volunteers do not have to be available for the entire check-in time. Any amount of time you are available will be appreciated.

To volunteer or get more information, please contact Dr. Jeff Kaisand, 515-281-0866 or Jeff.Kaisand@IowaAgriculture.gov .

Photo: Iowa State Fair
Iowa State Fair Vet Camp Volunteers Needed
The Iowa State Fair is looking for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to volunteer for Vet Camp and Advanced Vet Camp. 
 
Vet Camp for kids grades 4th   – 7 th   and Advanced Vet Camp for 8 th   -12 th graders provide hands-on learning for kids interested in veterinary careers.
 
Vet Camp and Advanced Vet Camp are FREE with paid fair admission for attendees.   
 
All volunteers will receive a fair admission ticket, vehicle parking permit and a 2019 Vet Camp or Advanced Vet Camp t-shirt.
 
For more information about the camps, check out the Vet Camp brochure . To volunteer complete the V et Camp sign up form or the A d vanced Vet Camp sign-up form .

Photo: Iowa State Fair
Nominate for IVMA Awards
It's that time of year to consider nominating a deserving colleague for one of three annual IVMA awards . It is the IVMA's honor and pleasure to recognize members of our association who have made significant contributions to the veterinary profession, their clinic and the animals in their care.

We encourage you to take a moment and ask, "Who has made a difference?" and let us know about that extraordinary person.

The following awards will be given out at the IVMA Annual Meeting in September:

Veterinarian of the Year Award
Rising Star Award
Healthcare Team Member Service Award

For more information on any of the IVMA Awards and nomination forms visit  www.iowavma.org or call the IVMA office at 800-369-9564.

The deadline for nominations is August 1st.
Still Time to Join the IVMA's Power of Ten !

A new class of POTL is beginning this fall and we want YOU to be part of it! POTL is a leadership opportunity for veterinarians who have been out of school seven years or less.  

POTL participants will attend a series of leadership development sessions from the fall of 2019 until spring 2020. The IVMA will provide topic experts and meeting expenses at no charge for participants. Some CE credits may be available. 

To get more information and to hear what former participants have to say about the program, visit the IVMA website. 

The application deadline is July 15.
The IVMA Communiqué is published bi-monthly by the
Iowa Veterinary Medical Association
1605 N. Ankeny Blvd Suite 110, Ankeny, IA 50023
515-965-9237 or 800-369-9564
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