Job Announcement – Livestock Commissioner Opening
The Kansas Animal Health Board is taking applications to fill the pending vacancy of Livestock Commissioner.
The Livestock Commissioner, appointed by the Kansas Animal Health Board, is responsible for overall administration of the agency’s operations and accomplishment of the agency’s goals and mission. The commissioner provides leadership to staff and acts as primary liaison to industry groups as well as the Kansas Legislature and other state, federal and international government agencies.
To view the full job announcement, position description, and application to apply, go to http://da.ks.gov/ps/aaa/recruitment/review.htm. Click on "View all Jobs", then scroll down to Kansas Animal Health Department.
Equine Piroplasmosis
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease that affects horses, donkeys, mules and zebras. The disease is transmitted via tick bites or through mechanical transmission by improperly disinfected needles or surgical instruments. EP is not endemic to the United States; native tick species do not currently carry the parasites that cause the disease.
The increasingly international nature of the horse industry presents potential risks for EP’s introduction from foreign countries. Many areas of the United States have climates suitable for foreign tick vectors or other ticks that could act as vectors. Additionally, because EP is not endemic, U.S. horses are highly susceptible to acute forms of the disease.
Recently, Texas diagnosed EP in a herd of horses in south Texas. A total of 360 horses were tested following the discovery of the index mare. A total of 288 of these horses tested positive. Recent sales from this herd were traced into 14 other states plus 64 horses that stayed in Texas. 80 of the trace-outs were tested positive. 353 cohorts were tested; all negative. 235 adjacent to the index herd have been tested negative.
In June, 2009, a horse brought to the College of Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital in Manhattan tested positive for EP. 6 out of 62 other cohorts stabled in Missouri also tested positive. In addition, another horse was tested positive by a private practitioner. This horse had been moved from the index location in Missouri into Kansas a short time before the disease was diagnosed. Two of the positive horses were taken from quarantine and disappeared into the night. All of the 8 positive horses were equine athletes.
Bovine Trichomoniasis
Bovine Trichomoniasis (aka trichomoniasis or trich) is a venereal disease of cattle caused by the protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus. The organism lives in the folds of the prepuce and internal sheath in bulls and colonizes the vagina, cervix uterus and oviducts of cows. It causes early embryonic death, abortion and extended calving seasons. Bulls will remain persistently infected and spread infection from cow to cow during natural service; however cows generally clear infection after three to four heat cycles.
Trich is found in a number of states, most often in the west. This disease can cause great economic losses with pregnancy rates dropping to 20-30%.
The Kansas Animal Health Department is preparing import requirements on breeding bulls entering the state. These regulations will be in place by the first of January on a temporary basis until permanent regulations can be approved through the regulatory process.
Herd owners should know the health status of herds from which they are purchasing breeding bulls and contact their veterinarian if a pregnancy rate in their cow herd is lower than acceptable. Cows can be re-infected by the same or another infected bull.
Veterinary World Quick Notes
*Ohio (Nov. 4): Voters have delivered a victory to large farm operators, approving a new industry-dominated board to oversee livestock care. (Intent is to prevent animal rights activists from imposing impractical changes to present industry standards)
*Washington (Oct. 26) - Two years after the last U.S. horse slaughter plant ceased operations, the government wants to look into the implications the closures have had on horse welfare. Congress has requested the Government Accountability Office to study the issue and report its findings by March 1, 2010.
*Oct. 26: To achieve the best human and animal health protection possible, the National Pork Board is advising producers, farm personnel and others who have contact with pigs to get the regular seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible. When available, this group should get the novel H1N1 vaccination as well.
updated: December 18, 2009
