Adopted from the ABVMA and CVMA

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) is aware of reports of a canine respiratory illness outbreak in several US states starting in August 2023. While there is limited information available on the number of cases and the cause of these illnesses, symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, and lethargy.

It is important to note that non-specific respiratory illnesses in dogs are common, can occur in clusters, and can have various underlying contagious and non-contagious causes. Veterinarians are well-positioned to provide advice to animal owners and diagnose and treat dogs with respiratory illnesses.

The MVMA is not aware of any canine respiratory outbreaks in Manitoba and will continue to monitor the situation and share confirmed information as it becomes available.

What can pet owners do?

• Do not panic
• Limit your dog’s contacts, especially transient contacts with dogs of unknown health status
• Keep your dog away from sick dogs
• Talk to your veterinarian about vaccination against canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) and Bordetella bronchiseptica
• If your dog is ill and you are concerned, contact your veterinarian

Further information can be found here:

https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2023/11/articles/animals/dogs/respiratory-disease-in-dogs-sweeping-across-the-us-outbreak-of-disease-or-media-attention/

https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2023/11/articles/animals/dogs/mystery-dog-respiratory-disease-or-not-and-antibiotics-or-not/

https://www.avma.org/news/oregon-dealing-respiratory-illness-incidents-dogs

We’re delighted to share that our own MVMA President, Dr. Mackenzie Marks, attended the annual WCVM White Coat Ceremony in Saskatoon on Monday, September 25, 2023. In addition to the students receiving their personalized white lab coats, Dr. Marks presented stethoscopes to the first-year students from Manitoba.

We proudly congratulate the future veterinarians and warmly welcome the Class of 2027 to our profession!

A special thank you to Dr. Chris Bell for providing pictures of the ceremonious event.

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association regrets to report the passing of Dr. Jacqueline Enns. The MVMA offers condolences to family, friends, and close colleagues of Dr. Jacqueline Enns. More information can be located here.

The MVMA reminds members of the services offered by Homewood Health.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Animal Health Technology/Veterinary Technician Program Accreditation Committee (AHTVTPAC) is conducting a survey to help inform the future education of technicians/technologists in Canada. We are asking for your assistance in completing the survey and in distributing it widely across your network.

You can click here to access the survey. You will have until October 6 to complete the survey.

Hello MVMA Members,

We would like to remind members about the telemedicine program.

On February 4, 2022, the MVMA adopted a new by-law to allow for a VCPR to be established without a hands-on examination of an animal or without visiting the premises where the animal is kept in limited circumstances.

To be clear, the MVMA Telemedicine Permit only applies to Telemedicine files.

Telemedicine files: Patient files where a VCPR is established without a hands-on examination of an animal and/or visiting the premises where the animal is kept. This applies to both new and existing patients where there has not been a hands-on examination of an animal and/or visiting the premises where the animal is kept within the last 12 months.

Please note:

1. Members must follow the process below in order to establish a VCPR via telemedicine alone. Failure to do so may result in a complaint being filed with the PRC.
2. This program only covers telemedicine files in Manitoba. If you are providing telemedicine services to animals in another jurisdiction, please contact the regulatory body for the jurisdiction to ensure compliance in the jurisdiction where the animal is located. Regulatory body contact information can be found here.

More information about the program can be found here.

The Canadian Animal Blood Bank’s first charity golf tournament was a resounding success due to the generous contributions from these Manitoba veterinary clinics. CABB could not have achieved the $18,100.00 raised to carry on our mission, without their support!  Together, we save dogs’ lives!!  Thank you!

• Bridgwater Veterinary Hospital
• Centennial Animal Hospital
• Clearspring Animal Hospital
• Corydon Animal Hospital
• Fort Garry Veterinary Hospital
• Grand Valley Animal Clinic
• Great Plains Veterinary Surgery
• McPhillips Animal Hospital
• Silver Heights Veterinary Hospital
• St. Norbert Animal Hospital
• St. Vital Veterinary Hospital
• Tuxedo Animal Hospital
• Westwood Veterinary Hospital

-CABB

Thank you to the Assiniboine Park Zoo, Dr. Charlene Berkvens and Dr. Andrea Nace and their team for hosting the 2023 DVM Student Summer Day at the Zoo!

DVM students were treated to a wonderful day at the zoo with a behind the scenes tour of the polar bear exhibit and veterinary facilities, as well as hearing about zoo practice and the ways in which private practitioners and government veterinarians often engage in zoo practice.

Also a shout out to our volunteers, Dr. Mackenzie Marks, MVMA President, Dr. Glen Duizer, MVMA Council Member, Dr. Morgan Wawryk, MVMA Council Member, Dr. Chris Bell, CVMA Past President, and Dr. Kris Torske, CVMA Representative for engaging with DVM students and introducing them to the veterinary community in Manitoba.

Please help us spread the word through social media and clinic communications (email newsletters, bulletin boards, etc). Manitoba Agriculture’s poultry and swine specialists, as well as extension veterinarian, are hosting two in-person small holder nutrition seminars in July and August. The free evening events will cover various aspects of animal nutrition and feeding for swine and poultry raised in small-scale settings. Event details and registration links are below and the PDF poster can also be shared.

July 26, 2023 – 6:30-8:30pm – Neepawa Public Library – Neepawa, MB

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/673206828747

August 3, 2023 – 6:30-8:30pm – Mennonite Heritage Village – Steinbach, MB

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/673260950627

You can download a poster for the event here.

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association regrets to report the passing of Dr. Martha Jo (MJ) Willard. The MVMA offers condolences to family, friends, and close colleagues of Dr. Martha Jo (MJ) Willard. More information can be located here.

The MVMA reminds members of the services offered by Homewood Health.

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association regrets to report the passing of Dr. Corey Jones. The MVMA offers condolences to family, friends, and close colleagues of Dr. Corey Jones. More information can be located here.

The MVMA reminds members of the services offered by Homewood Health.