Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
104, 9452-51 Avenue T6E 5A6 Edmonton, AB, Canada

Balzac Billy unfortunately saw his shadow this morning: #GroundhogDay https://globalnews.ca//balzac-billy-emerges-from-his-burro

A new Edmonton draft bylaw could bring fines for feeding wildlife. The goal of the potential bylaw is to decrease the number of potentially dangerous human-coyote interactions, while cutting down on the spread of wildlife diseases (such as Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm parasite). https://www.cbc.ca//wildlife-feeding-draft-bylaw-edmonton-

February is Pet Dental Health Month, the perfect time to consider taking your pet in for a cleaning. Since most dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation should always be performed under anesthesia by a registered veterinarian. Visit https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//buyer-beware-non to learn more.

The Program Planning Committee of the 2021 Virtual One Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference is inviting interested people to submit abstracts or update previously submitted abstracts related to all aspects of antimicrobial stewardship in Animal Health, Public Health and/or Environmental Health. For details, and to learn how you can submit your abstract, visit https://ohab.ca/one-health-2021/.

Mental health issues, problems, and illness affect many Canadians, veterinarians and technologists included. While many of us may not experience mental illness first-hand, it is likely we know someone who has or will experience mental illness. Holding an open and honest conversation about mental health is the first step in breaking down the stigma surrounding the topic. The Mental Health Commission of Canada offers a course that, since 2007, has trained over 400,000 Canadians... on the topic mental health first aid - Visit https://www.mhfa.ca/en/course-search to find a course near you. You can also visit the Canadian Mental Health Association's site for a number of helpful articles - https://mentalhealthweek.ca/yourmentalhealth/ #BellLetsTalkDay

Dogs are notorious for sniffing out gifts containing chocolate under the tree and for eating the wrappers and the chocolate. Be sure that any chocolate products, including cannabis edibles, are kept in a pet-safe container, and out of reach this holiday season. Visit the article below for more information on common holiday hazards for pets:... https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/co/holiday-hazards See more

Ensure that your tree is securely anchored this holiday season. A falling tree can potentially cause injury to your pet, and spilled stagnant tree water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which a dog or cat may ingest. Visit the article below for more information on common holiday hazards for pets: https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/co/holiday-hazards

Please keep in mind that, just like humans, cats and dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia. Visit the article below to learn about pet winter apparel and cold weather preparedness. https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//winter-apparel-p

Visit Alberta Animal Health Source to learn about pet winter apparel and preparedness, and to learn what to do if you see a pet or livestock animal in distress. https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//winter-apparel-p

The symptoms of diabetes can easily be confused for other conditions. If you recognize a combination of any of the symptoms listed in the article below, contact your veterinarian immediately for proper testing. https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/conte/pet-diabetes

In Alberta frostbite is very common in dogs and cats. The biggest risk areas are the tips of cats’ ears and the ears of short-haired breeds of dogs. Visit https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//winter-apparel-p to learn about pet winter apparel and preparedness.

Congratulations to the Vintage Veterinary Exhibit for meeting their phase 1 fundraising goal. The Vintage Veterinary Exhibit will showcase the development of the veterinary profession in western Canada during the 1900-1915 period and the role played by veterinarians in the North West Mounted Police (NWMP), livestock inspection services, pharmaceutical products and general practice. If you'd like to support their efforts in preserving our shared heritage, please consider mak...ing a donation. https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//vintage-veterina See more

Regular vet visits, early detection, and learning the warning signs of cancer are essential to the management of cancer in pets. Visit https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/co/pets-and-cancer to learn about the signs of cancer in pets.

'Every year, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to stop the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.' To learn more about AMR, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, and for a tool kit that you can use to help spread the word, visit: https://www.who.int//world-antimicrobial-awareness-we/2020

This Remembrance Day, as we honour the memory of generations of soldiers, we also remember the thousands of horses that played an integral role in the allied efforts during the first World War. In his piece "War Horse: the True Story", Dr. Ron Clarke tells the story of Warrior, a horse whose incredible military service earned him a reputation as the horse the Germans Couldn’t kill. In telling Warrior’s heroic story, Clarke reminds us of the animal cost of war and why we must always remember their contribution. https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//war-horse-%E2%80

Antibiotics are a life-saver for pets and people alike, but their effectiveness relies on responsible use. Unnecessary use of antimicrobials is contributing to a rise in Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) microbes, making infections increasingly difficult to treat. This World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, we're encouraging you to learn more about AMR, and what you can do to help: https://antibioticawareness.ca/

Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918. Along with the brave soldiers that fought for our freedom, many animals played an integral role in times of war. Lest we forget. https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/animals-in-world-war-one/

Here are just a few tips to help keep you safe this hunting season. Did you also know that the chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program is ongoing for the 2020/2021 hunting season, and deer head submission is mandatory in a number of WMUs? To learn about CWD, the CWD surveillance program, and affected WMUs, visit https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca//hunter-surveilla