CAHSS Podcast Series - Animal Health Insights

Une surveillance accrue pour protéger le secteur porcin: CanaVeillePPA avec Dre Karine Talbot. Perspectives en santé animale, Ep. 22b, 22 Apr 2023

Ces dernières années, le monde porcin a connu une vague d'activités visant à gérer et à prévenir la propagation de la peste porcine africaine à travers le monde. Cette maladie (qui n'infecte que les porcs) a eu de graves répercussions sur la santé et la production porcine mondialement, causant souvent la mort de près de 100 % des porcs infectés. Au Canada, jusqu'à présent, nous avons eu la chance de maintenir le statut de pays indemne pour la peste porcine africaine, ce qui signifie que la maladie est absente du territoire. Tous les groupes de surveillance des maladies porcines, les vétérinaires porcins nationaux, provinciaux et praticiens ainsi les producteurs se concentrent sur la surveillance et la prévention de cette maladie au Canada.
Dans le cadre de nombreuses initiatives de prévention de la peste porcine africaine, ici au Canada, un programme de surveillance et de dépistage a été créé pour aider à réduire le risque pour le cheptel porcin canadien. CanSpotASF est un programme de dépistage collaboratif qui fonctionne au niveau de laboratoires de diagnostic animal accrédités et spécifiques et dans les abattoirs provinciaux et fédéraux pour aider à détecter la PPA tôt si et quand elle apparaît, afin de minimiser l'impact de la PPA sur les porcs canadiens et les producteurs, et tous ceux qui travaillent dans l'industrie porcine canadienne.
La Dre Karine Talbot, vétérinaire porcine et directrice de la santé animale chez HyLife Inc. et membre de l'un des nombreux groupes de travail CanSpotASF, s'entretient avec moi aujourd'hui pour passer en revue les avantages de ce programme de dépistage et le rôle des vétérinaires et producteurs porcins. dans la surveillance de la PPA.
Liens d’intérêt:
 Résumé en une page de CanaVeillePPA (Santé animale Canada (SAC))
Surveillance de la PPA: CanaVeillePPA (SAC)
CanaVeillePPA : laboratoires agréés - Description à l’intention des médecins vétérinaires (SAC) 
CanaVeillePPA : laboratoires agréés - Description à l'intention des producteurs (SAC)
CanaVeillePPA : analyses du matériel condamné dans les abattoirs
Document technique de CanaVeillePPA sur les analyses dans les laboratoires agréés
CanSpotASF approved diagnostic testing laboratories (as of Apr. 20, 2023):
​​​Laboratoire de santé animale (LSA)
le Ontario Animal Health Laboratory
le Prairie Diagnostic Services
l'Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Agri-Food Laboratories
le B.C. Animal Health Centre
Note: The CanSpotASF risk-based early detection testing at approved laboratories pilot is open to all Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN) laboratories. CAHSN laboratories that are not approved for ASF testing can submit samples to a network laboratory that is approved. 

Animal Health Surveillance in Action: CanSpotASF with Dr. Karine Talbot. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 22a, Apr. 22, 2023

The past few years in the swine world have seen a flurry of activity to manage and prevent the movement of African Swine Fever around the globe. This disease (which only infects pigs) has had severe impacts on swine health and production worldwide, often causing death of almost 100% of infected pigs. In Canada thus far we have been lucky to maintain ASF disease-free status, which means this disease is not present here. All swine disease surveillance groups, national, provincial and front-line swine veterinarians and producers are focused on vigilant monitoring and prevention of this disease in Canada.
As part of many ASF prevention initiatives, here in Canada a surveillance and testing program was created to help reduce the risk for Canadian swine herd. CanSpotASF is a collaborative diagnostic screening program that works at the level of specific, approved animal diagnostic laboratories and at provincial and federal abattoirs to help detect ASF early if and when it appears, in order to minimize the impact of ASF on Canadian pigs and producers, and all those who work in the Canadian swine industry.
Dr. Karine Talbot, a swine veterinarian, and the Director of Animal Health with HyLife Inc. and a member of several CanSpotASF working groups, reviews the benefits of this screening program and the role for swine vets and producers in ASF surveillance.
Links of Interest: 
Overview of CanSpotASF program from Animal Health Canada (AHC)
Details on CanSpotASF program, testing and diagnostic laboratories from AHC
Information for Veterinarians  from AHC
Information for Producers on CanSpotASF from AHC
Information for Abattoirs on CanSpotASF from AHC
CanSpotASF Approved Laboratory Testing
CanSpotASF approved diagnostic testing laboratories (as of Apr. 20, 2023):
the MAPAQ laboratory in Quebec
the Ontario Animal Health Laboratory
Prairie Diagnostic Services
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Agri-Food Laboratories
B.C. Animal Health Centre
Note: The CanSpotASF risk-based early detection testing at approved laboratories pilot is open to all Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN) laboratories. CAHSN laboratories that are not approved for ASF testing can submit samples to a network laboratory that is approved. 

Optimizing Foal Immunity with Dr. Ashley Whitehead. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 21. Mar. 7, 2023

With foaling season upon us, it is the perfect time to take stock of our infection prevention and control practices - we want to ensure our mares have easy foalings and produce the healthiest offspring possible. The first few months of a foal’s life can be challenging as their immune system develops – even in ideal situations they may face bacterial, viral or parasitic infections that can make or break their future health. Dr. Ashley Whitehead, a veterinary internal medicine specialist and associate professor in equine clinical sciences at the University of Calgary, has a passion for all things related to foal health, and reviews how we can optimize foal immunity in this critical first few months of life.
Links of Interest:
Evaluation and Care of Newborn Foals, American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
Foaling Mare & Newborn: Preparing for a Safe & Successful Foal Delivery, AAEP
Neonatal care, AAEP
Foal Care from Birth to 30 days (AAEP 2003), TheHorse.com

Problem-solving for PRRS 144-1c with Dr. Doug MacDougald. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 20. Jan. 25, 2023

There are a number of health challenges that are prevalent in pig production – and we know that biosecurity is the name of the game when it comes to disease prevention. Some diseases seem to evade even the strongest biosecurity plans and this can be frustrating for producers and their veterinarians as they try to achieve optimum care for their herds.
Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome is a disease that has circulated in the swine world for years – however a recent highly pathogenic strain of this virus is challenging pig herds. Dr. Doug MacDougald, a swine veterinarian working out of Southwest Ontario Veterinary Services has worked with producers in North America who have experienced outbreaks of this highly pathogenic PRRS strain – 144 Lineage 1C – and shares some case studies and practical tips for disease prevention.
Links of Interest:
Resources for PRRS strain 144-1c outbreaks from Swine Health Information Centre
Highly pathogenic PRRSV 1-4-4 L1C variant: emergence, sources, and implications to the global industry. by Daniel Linhares, Giovani Trevisan, and Gustavo Silva at Pig333.com
Emergence of a New Lineage 1C Variant of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus 2 in the United States.  Kikuti Mariana, Paploski Igor A. D., Pamornchainavakul Nakarin, Picasso-Risso Catalina, Schwartz Mark, Yeske Paul, Leuwerke Brad, Bruner Laura, Murray Deborah, Roggow Brian D., Thomas Pete, Feldmann Lori, Allerson Matt, Hensch Melissa, Bauman Tyler, Sexton Brent, Rovira Albert, VanderWaal Kimberly, Corzo Cesar A. Emergence of a New Lineage 1C Variant of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus 2 in the United States. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol. 8, 2021. 
Swine Health Information Center, AASV and Iowa State University Seminar on Emerging PRRS Strains and Rosalia Feb. 21, 2023

Antimicrobial Stewardship and Surveillance in Canadian Dairies with Drs. Javier Sanchez and Luke Heider. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 19. Nov. 27, 2022

Medical doctors and veterinarians both include antimicrobials (antibiotics) in their medical tool-kits to treat bacterial infections. In this age of antimicrobial resistance, both types of medical professionals are keenly aware of the necessity for judicious use of antimicrobials for their patients. Zoonotic bacteria are of particular interest to both human and vet medicine as they can infect a variety of species. To practice excellent antimicrobial stewardship, veterinary and public health specialists work together to monitor and assess the prevalence of zoonotic bacteria and resistance patterns of these bacteria to different antimicrobials. The Canadian Dairy Network for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Resistance was created with input from experts, producers and veterinarians across Canada, and will provide valuable information to improve herd health and public health in the years to come. Drs. Javier Sanchez and Luke Heider spearheaded this collaborative project to develop a scaffold for monitoring zoonotic bacteria of public health significance and the use of antimicrobials on Canadian dairy farms.
Links of Interest:
Canadian Dairy Network for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Resistance (CaDNetASR): An On-Farm Surveillance System Fonseca Mariana, Heider Luke C., Léger David, Mcclure J. Trenton, Rizzo Daniella, Dufour Simon, Kelton David F., Renaud David, Barkema Herman W., Sanchez Javier. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol. 8, 2022. DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.799622 ISSN=2297-1769   
Surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance to improve stewardship practices and animal health on dairy farms
Surveillance in Action: Can. Dairy Network of Antimicrobial Stewardship & Resistance, Dairy Research Seminar. Oct 12, 2022
CadNetDASR information from University of Calgary, One Health Consortium

The Rules on Rabies with Dr. Martin Appelt. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 18. Sept. 26, 2022

Most people are at least vaguely familiar with Rabies - a fatal zoonotic disease that affects thousands of people and animals around the world. In North America, we are lucky to think about rabies rarely – usually in the context of an animal bite, or maybe faint memories of “Old Yeller” the movie, or when and if a bat gets into the house. Canadian veterinarians may see a case or two of rabies every few years in horses, cattle, dogs or cats, and occasionally in other mammalian species.
With the surge of dogs imported into Canada through the pandemic the possibility of people being exposed to rabies from a pet dog has become more of a risk. Dr. Martin Appelt, the Senior Director of the Animal Health Programs Division at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, reviews the recent changes to import requirements for dogs, and the reasons for their implementation to protect Canadians.
Links of Interest: 
CFIA Notice to industry: New measure prohibiting the entry of commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies
Countries at High Risk for dog rabies
Questions to ask before you purchase or adopt an imported dog
CVMA Information on Canine Importation into Canada
CVMA Dog importation checklist
Preventing Rabies in Imported Dogs - Dr. Scott Weese

Les règles sur la rage avec Dre Nancy Rheault. Perspectives en santé animale, Ep. 18, 26 Sept 2022

Chaque année, une journée est dédiée à une campagne internationale de sensibilisation pour souligner l'importance de la rage, une zoonose mortelle qui touche des milliers de personnes et d'animaux dans le monde. En Amérique du Nord, nous avons la chance de rarement penser à la rage - généralement lors d'une morsure d'animal, ou peut-être de faibles souvenirs du film "Old Yeller", sinon quand une chauve-souris entre dans la maison. Les vétérinaires canadiens peuvent voir un ou deux cas de rage à quelques années d'intervalle chez des chevaux, des bovins, des chiens ou des chats, et occasionnellement chez d'autres espèces de mammifères. Avec l'afflux de chiens importés au Canada pendant la pandémie, la rage et la possibilité que des personnes soient exposées à ce virus sont devenues un risque réel. Le Dre Nancy Rheault,Directrice principale et Vétérinaire en chef adjointe, à la Division de l’importation et de l’exportation des animaux pour les affaires internationales à l’Agence Canadienne d’inspection des aliments, s'entretient avec nous aujourd'hui pour nous expliquer certains changements récents apportés aux exigences d'importation de chiens et les raisons de leur mise en œuvre pour protéger les Canadiens. 
Liens d’intérêt:
ACIA Avis à l'industrie : Nouvelle mesure interdisant l'entrée de chiens commerciaux en provenance de pays à haut risque pour la rage canine
Pays considérés à haut risque pour le variant canin du virus de la rage
Posez des questions avant d'acheter ou d'adopter un chien
ACMV Importation de chiens
ACMV Liste de contrôle des vétérinaires pour l'importation d'un chien (2018)
Preventing Rabies in Imported Dogs - Dr. Scott Weese 
Centre d'expertise et de référence en santé publique - La Rage
Rage chez les animaux

Where the Wild Pigs Are with Corey Kramer. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 17. July 21, 2022

Wild pigs are known to wreak environmental havoc across all types of landscapes, and they can be difficult to find, let alone to manage once they’re established in an area. Information about the habitats that Canadian wild pigs utilize can help inform decisions about how best to manage wild pig populations, and perhaps may also be useful to decrease crop damage or livestock interactions at the wildlife-agricultural interface.
Mr. Corey Kramer, previously a Masters student from the University of Saskatchewan, and currently a Biology PhD student at San Diego State University, investigated the habitat use and movements of invasive wild pigs in Canada, and he shares the results from this research with us on Animal Health Insights. 
Links of Interest:
Understanding resource selection, resource use, and landscape connectivity for invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the prairies; implications for management. Corey Kramer, April 2021. 
Mr. Corey Kramer, Dr. Melanie R. Boudreau, Dr. Ryan S Miller, Mr. Ryan Powers, Dr. Kurt VerCauteren, and Dr. Ryan K. Brook. Summer habitat use and movements of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in Canadian agro-ecosystems. Canadian Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2021-0116 (March 2022)
Reporting Invasive Wild Pigs in B.C.
Wild Boar in Alberta
Reporting Wild Boar in Alberta
SCIC Feral Wild Boar Control Program  (Saskatchewan)
Squeal on Wild Pigs, Manitoba
Reporting Invasive Wild Pigs in Ontario
Wild pig iNaturalist page for Ontario
Wild pigs/wild boar in Quebec
Report feral pigs/wild boar in Quebec
Reporting details for other provinces/territories from the CWHC
iNaturalist app (wild pig sightings can be added into this app)
Canadian Wild Pig Research Project