The ODA-ADDL has been asked if it is possible to detect lead in chicken eggs. This is a timely topic if you have clients whose chickens are cared for in a backyard coop. Often the building where the chickens are kept is old and is peeling paint. If the peeling paint is lead-based and the chicken has consumed some paint chips, then lead will be found in both the egg shell and yolk/white edible part. Individual eggs produced under these conditions have been reported to contain greater than the recommended consumption limit of lead for young children in the edible portion of the egg.
If this situation is possible, edible portions of the eggs should be analyzed for lead. Whole eggs can be submitted to the ADDL in cartons placed an insulated container with cold packs. Up to 4 eggs may be pooled for analysis but sufficient eggs from individual chickens must be analyzed (example: submit individual eggs from 10 chickens if the flock is 20 laying chickens). Also, it should be recognized that there may be a potential lead hazard in eggs from chickens maintained in backyard enclosures - even in eggs sold locally.
The ADDL was delighted to welcome two of Cooper Farms service representatives to the laboratory to participate in some advanced veterinary bacteriology training. Stephanie Mescher – Swine Division and Rachel Heitkamp – Turkey Division, served as test subjects for this inaugural pilot program. The focus of the week-long immersion program was to introduce the students to principles and practices in veterinary bacteriology that would enable them to make quick, basic bacterial identifications in their own veterinary services laboratory. Protocols including primary tissue culture, media selection, incubation times, inoculation methods and biochemical testing were demonstrated as part of the training.
The ADDL’s veterinary staff also provided additional in depth discussions on the various pathogens of swine and poultry to provide a better understanding of how identifications are made from histories provided by field staff and from testing performed in the laboratory. At the end of the training, a “mini” proficiency test was given to measure the competency of the participants and the effectiveness of the “hands-on” experience. It was a positive outcome for ALL involved, and is something that the ADDL was happy to provide as a service to our clients.
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Meet the Staff: Bacteriology Section
From left to right: Mary Beth Weisner (Laboratory Scientist III), Dominka Jurkovic (Laboratory Scientist II), Dr. Jing Cui (Bacteriology Section Head), Kathy Mockler (Laboratory Scientist II), Troy Farrell (Laboratory Scientist II), Megan Mackanos (Laboratory Scientist I).
Harmful Algal Blooms Workshop
On Thursday, June 2, from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., the Toledo Lucas County Health Department will host a workshop regarding harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Toledo, Ohio.
Veterinary, public health and medical professionals are invited to the Lucas County EMS Training Center at 2127 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo, OH for this continuing education event.
Purposes of the workshop are to provide health professionals with knowledge on the toxic effects of harmful algal blooms on animal and human health; to educate professionals on what is currently being done to bring awareness to the issue, as well as how to recognize, treat and report the symptoms of exposure to harmful algal blooms. Note that 3 CE credits are being offered on behalf of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine to veterinarians licensed in the state of Ohio who attend the workshop. Access to the sessions as a webinar, is available here.
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