Animal Bytes

June 2023

Why you should talk to your vet about canine influenza vaccination

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can spread rapidly among dogs. Signs and symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and lethargy. Vaccination helps reduce the severity and duration of these symptoms, and has additional benefits if your dog does become infected.

Vaccinating your dog against canine influenza not only helps safeguard their health and well-being, it also contributes to the health of your dog community by reducing the risk of canine influenza outbreaks and preventing its transmission to other dogs. Puppies, elderly dogs, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to canine influenza.

Canine influenza vaccines are safe for dogs of different breeds and ages. Veterinarians widely recommend vaccinating dogs against contagious diseases as part of routine preventive care. Talk to your veterinarian today to determine if a canine influenza vaccine may be appropriate for your dog, and to ensure your dog's optimal health.

Please remember, vaccination is a crucial part of responsible pet ownership. By keeping your dog's vaccinations up to date, you demonstrate your commitment to their health and the well-being of the entire dog community.

Find more information on canine influenza and vaccinations on the Board of Animal Health website.

Keep reading...

It's fair season!

Another summer is here and Minnesota's county fairgrounds are about to fill up with livestock. Do you know the rules and regulations for exhibiting livestock in Minnesota? If not, brush up before you load up the truck and trailer to compete for a ribbon. Having your animals prepared to exhibit will make your check-in process with the fair veterinarians and managers a little smoother. Flip through our Livestock Exhibition Handbook for all the rule and regs you need to know before you go.

Managing heat stress in your animals

Temperatures are picking up across much of the state while drought is also lingering in a lot of areas. Heat can be stressful and even deadly for your animals if they aren't cared for properly. Here are some tips on handling the heat for specific species:

Embrace efficiency with eCVIs

Electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (eCVIs), are a digital solution replacing paper CVIs. Accredited veterinarians who transition to eCVIS eliminate the time consuming task of transmitting and processing information from paper CVIs, and the need to order, store, or track physical documents.

eCVIs align with the State of Minnesota's paperless goals, increasing efficiency and reducing transcription errors. Veterinarians have multiple options for eCVIs, making the transition seamless. Completed eCVIs can be printed for travel or emailed to relevant parties. A digital copy is automatically sent to the state of origin and destination, ensuring real-time access for animal health officials. Plus, some states waive import permit requirements for livestock movement when eCVIs are used.

Together, let's pave the way for a digital future in veterinary medicine. Learn more about your options on our eCVI website.

Board member positions open

There are open livestock producer seats on our Board. Interested applicants can review criteria and apply on the Secretary of State's website.