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This month we sat down with Dr. Rosemary Sifford - Deputy Administrator and Chief Veterinary Officer for USDA-APHIS to discuss a zoonotic health threat that is creeping closer to the United States: New World Screwworm. Dr. Sifford explains what New World Screwworm is, why it is a threat to US livestock, and what veterinarians should do if they suspect they are dealing with an infected animal. Veterinarians play a key role in surveillance for diseases such as NWS and early reporting is imperative. 

*Note: There are no known cases of NWS in livestock in the US as of the publication of this podcast.*

To learn more about New World Screwworm, visit the USDA-APHIS website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm

For updates on the current outbreak in Mexico and Central America, visit the USDA website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm/outbreak-central-america

For veterinarians who need help identifying their State Animal Health Official, visit the US Animal Health Association website: https://usaha.org/saho/

To review the USDA fact sheet on NWS for veterinarians, follow this link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/factsheet-nws-private-veterinarians.pdf

To complete the NWS module for veterinarians, visit the NAVP Training Module website and complete Module 41: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/nvap/training-modules#:~:text=Module%2041:%20New%20World%20Screwworm,not%20play%20on%20mobile%20devices

To watch the USDA webinar on NWS for veterinarians and animal health officials, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxPTfFPxlIk

For insights on treatment options (not prevention) visit the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/new-world-screwworm-information-veterinarians

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, please email [email protected]

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This month we sit down with Richard Marlar, a physician and president of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association to talk about heritage livestock breeds - specifically the Navajo-Churro - which have been integral to the settlement and development of the US. Richard also discusses Split Upper Eyelid Disorder (SUED), a developmental disorder that affects four-horned sheep such as the Navajo-Churro. Dr. Marlar explains how he and his wife worked with their veterinarian as well as human physicians to develop a hypothesis about the cause of this disease based on similar diseases that affect humans. This collaboration also helped the Marlars devise a prevention plan by improving their animals' nutrition, especially around breeding and during gestation which has eliminated the incidence of SUED in their flock. Richard provides unique insight for producers and veterinarians about collaborating across medical specialties to develop hypotheses and carryout their own mini-research trials to address challenges that they face within their operation and beyond. This episode highlights the importance of a One Health approach to veterinary challenges and the important role that a veterinarian can play in advocating for their clients through collaboration with university connections, extension programs, and human medical experts when novel challenges are identified. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners - Find a small ruminant veterinarian: https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/About/Find-A-Small-Ruminant-Veterinarian.aspx?hkey=e59ebdd0-6d57-493b-9ae2-e838323b9a38

The Livestock Conservancy: https://livestockconservancy.org/

Shave 'Em to Save 'Em: https://livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/shave-em-to-save-em/

Navajo-Churro Sheep Association: https://www.navajo-churrosheep.com/?doing_wp_cron=1757476384.7682878971099853515625

To access Dr. Marlar's article on his experiences with SUED email: [email protected]

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Join us for a discussion about a collaborative research project currently in the works headed up by Iowa State University. Jennifer Bentley, a dairy field specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, discusses the aims of the current project including assessing prevalence and treatment options for common diseases affecting dairy goats, developing financial assessments and benchmarks for goat dairies, and improving kid survival rates.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Goat site can be found here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/dairy-goats-sheep

Veterinarians may contact Jennifer via email at [email protected] to discuss participation in data collection for this project.

Learn more about Ms. Bentley's extension and outreach programs, visit her ISU staff profile: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/staff/jbentley

Learn more about Dr. Amanda Kreuder's research, visit her faculty page: https://vetmed.iastate.edu/directory/pub/info/akreuder

Review the results of the 2020 Iowa Dairy Goat Survey: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/files/documents/2020_dairy_goat_-_august_nwl.pdf

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, please email [email protected]

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This month we sit down with Christian Davies (of C&M Acres Alpacas and Fiber Mill) and his veterinarian, Dr. Rachel Friedrich from Iowa State University's Veterinary Field Service. Christina and his wife, Michele, raise alpacas and operate a fiber mill in Maxwell, IA. Dr. Friedrich not only provides veterinary care for C&M Acres but also collaborates with Christian and Michele to curate camelid-specific clinical training opportunities for third and fourth year veterinary students. This episode is all about producers and veterinarians learning and working together!

Resources discussed in this episode:

American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners - Veterinarians and vet students join today! 

https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/Membership/Join-AASRP.aspx?hkey=6878474f-d347-4a79-bdbe-5a1896781821

The Alpaca Owners Association: https://www.alpacainfo.com/

Textbook: Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas by DE Anderson, M Jones, & MD Miesner

Textbook: Llama and Alpaca Care by MS Cebra, A Tibary, LW Johnson, R Van Saun, & DE Anderson

If you or your organization would like to sponsor an episode of Baas and Bleats, please contact [email protected] to learn more.

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Join us for a discussion about genetic evaluations, parasite management, and livestock guardian dogs with Dr. Jake Thorne, Assistant Professor and Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station in San Angelo, TX.

In this episode, Dr. Thorne discusses methods for genetic evaluation of sheep with a special focus on resistance to Barber Pole Worm. He also discusses his vision for how extension agents and veterinarians can work together to better serve small ruminant producers in the United States. Finally, Dr. Thorne digs into some excellent livestock guardian dog training research that is taking place to give us some insights on when and how to introduce these dogs to our livestock.

More information about Dr. Thorne's work can be found here: https://sanangelo.tamu.edu/people/jacob-thorne/

Dr. Thorne is also the host of the American Sheep Industry's Research Update Podcast. We highly recommend giving him a listen at https://www.sheepusa.org/research-podcast

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, please email [email protected]

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This month we are testing out a new type of episode where we will sit down with a veterinarian and one of their exceptional producers to dig into how their relationship benefits the livestock they care for. Our first guests are Dr. Linda Detwiler and her veterinarian, Dr. Jon Higgins from New Jersey. Linda raises Suffolk sheep for breeding stock and is also a veterinarian working on the USDA APHIS scrapie program. She targets her breeding program to produce sheep that will perform well for owners who are new to sheep production as well as research groups who are studying scrapie management. Dr. Higgins highlights Linda's willingness to call for help early and her meticulous animal care records as two of the many reasons that she is such an exceptional producer to work with. Despite being a licensed veterinarian who works with sheep frequently in a regulatory capacity, Linda finds Dr. Higgins' expertise as a practitioner to be invaluable, especially his interest in staying up-to-date on the cutting edge treatment and preventative recommendations for her animals. She also cites her strict biosecurity practices and solid nutrition plan as keys to her success in over 20 years of raising Suffolk sheep.

Resources discussed in this episode:

American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners - Veterinarians and vet students join today! 

https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/Membership/Join-AASRP.aspx?hkey=6878474f-d347-4a79-bdbe-5a1896781821

American Association of Bovine Practitioners - Veterinarians & vet students join today!  https://www.aabp.org/dues/

AASRP Biosecurity toolkit: https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/Resources/AASRP-Biosecurity-Tool-Kit-Resources.aspx?hkey=63a00c1e-31c3-4b94-b5c4-8050b9e7b6dd

AABP Podcast - Have You Herd? https://www.buzzsprout.com/814177/

The American Sheep Industry Research Update Podcast with Dr. Robert VanSaun: https://soundcloud.com/user-637754734

If you or your organization would like to sponsor an episode of Baas and Bleats, please contact [email protected] to learn more.

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Join us for a discussion about doe and kid survival metrics based on different sedation and anesthesia protocols with Dr. George Elane, Assistant Professor of Equine Soft Tissue Surgery at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Elane discusses the decision-making process for choosing between sedation and general anesthesia for goat c-sections. He also covers the risks and benefits to does and kids when considering both options. Other topics discussed include analgesia protocol options and post-operative antibiotic selection.

More information about Dr. Elane's work can be found here: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/elane-lab/team/

The article discussed in today's episode is titled "Sedated cesarean sections are associated with increased kid survival compared to general anesthesia in goats: retrospective cohort of 45 cases (2011–2021)" and can be found here: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/3/javma.22.10.0466.xml

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, please email [email protected]

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Join us for a discussion about options for euthanasia techniques and aftercare in small ruminants and other livestock species with Dr. Warren Hess, the assistant director of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)'s Division of Animal and Public Health and AVMA's Disaster Coordinator. 

In this episode, Dr. Hess discusses the results of a survey investigating veterinary knowledge surrounding safe carcass disposal after pentobarbital euthanasia. Dr. Hess highlights the concerns regarding pentobarbital use in livestock as it severely limits the disposal options that clients have. Animals that are euthanized using this very commonly used substance may not be used for rendering and burial may result in contamination of groundwater with this toxic compound. The AVMA and AASRP are working to expand veterinarians' understanding of alternative humane euthanasia techniques including gunshot or captive bolt (followed by secondary method) or magnesium sulfate injection. While intrathecal lidocane injection is not currently an approved method of euthanasia by AVMA, it is becoming more widely practiced by equine and food animal practitioners. 

The publication describing the survey which is the focus of today's episode can be found here:

https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/11/javma.23.03.0161.xml 

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, please email [email protected]

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Join us for a discussion about continuous blood glucose monitoring and its use in evaluating pregnancy toxemia with Dr. Munashe Chigerwe. Dr. Chigerwe is a Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California at Davis's College of Veterinary Medicine. 

In this episode, Dr. Chigerwe discusses the efficacy of using continuous blood glucose monitoring for detecting changes associated with pregnancy toxemia in goats. The paper covered in this months episode can be found at the following link: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/85/9/ajvr.24.03.0076.xml

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, email [email protected]

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Join us for a discussion about goat hoof care with Dr. Gosia Zobel, Animal Welfare Programmes Coordinator at Companion Animals New Zealand and Research Director at EthicoNZ.

In this episode Dr. Zobel discusses normal goat hoof confirmation, care, and problems with a focus on laminitis.

The papers covered in this months episode can be found at the following links:
The Development of a Hoof Conformation Assessment for Use in Dairy Goats - https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/11/973

Seeing beyond gait: A case study identifying chronic laminitis in 3 goats - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921448823001645

Evaluating the long-term conformation and hoof growth effects of starting hoof trimming at 5 months of age in New Zealand dairy  goats - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030222007354

Evaluating the immediate effects of hoof trimming on dairy goat hoof conformation and joint positions - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11259-023-10273-0

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, email [email protected]