July 10, 2008

Volume VI, No. 1

Slaughter Begins in California Dairy Herd Exposed to TB

The Associated Press
by Tracie Cone

(FRESNO, Calif.) - More than 4,800 dairy cows at risk of carrying tuberculosis are being slaughtered this week in central California, where nearly 16,000 cattle in the country's largest milk-producing region have been quarantined, federal officials said. Click here to read the rest of the article.

*The above article is brought to your attention courtesy of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

AVMA Questions Antibiotic Ban in Animals

. … Dr. Lyle P. Vogel, AVMA assistant executive vice president said that evidence suggests that when livestock are not given antimicrobials for prevention of disease - as has happened in Denmark since the 1990s - an increase in illnesses is likely to occur. … Click here to read the full article.

*The above article is brought to your attention courtesy of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

ISVMA Online Library Resources

The ISVMA online library has many resources that may be of interest or value to you and your practice. In addition to back-copies of the Epitome and E-SOURCE newsletters, you will find:

· List of "Pet Foods with a Medicinal Purpose" that will help you comply with the state sales tax regulation regarding the sale of pet food.

 

· The Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control (2007).

 

· A copy of the new sales tax regulation and a fact sheet explaining them.

 

· ISVMA positions on key issues such as the Scope of Veterinary Practice and breed specific bans.

 

· Links to much more!

Members can get an advance look at the next Epitome by reading it online. The online copy is available days before the printed copy and any member may choose to receive their Epitome with an email link rather than having it mailed to them.

Are You Looking for a Relief Veterinarian?

The ISVMA currently lists 29 veterinarians available for relief work. If you are looking for a relief veterinarian, go to the ISVMA Find A Veterinarian page and in the drop-down box for Practice Type choose "Relief" to get an updated list.

While you are on the Find A Veterinarian page, check your listing to make sure that is complete and correct. If your practice has a website that is not listed, let us know by emailing info@isvma.org and we'll get it added for you.

Thousands of potential clients visit the ISVMA website each month and use the Find A Veterinarian page to find a veterinarian in their area or that meets a specific animal health need. The ISVMA Find A Veterinarian search tool is a great opportunity to get exposure for your practice.

ISVMA Classified Listings

The ISVMA Classifieds are the most up-to-date listing of veterinary jobs available in Illinois (and some out of state listings). New job opportunities are typically posted online the same day they are submitted. If you are looking for a new employee or if you are looking for a new career opportunity in veterinary medicine, the ISVMA Classifieds are a great place to begin your search!

About the Photo

The Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) is a big black bird of the Southwestern Deserts of North America. It has the shape of the Common Raven but is the size of the American Crow. It appears entirely metallic blue-black; but the bases of the neck and body feathers of a Chihuahuan Raven are white, not gray like those of other American crows and ravens. The white is difficult to see in the field, and is only revealed by wind blowing the feathers, or when a bird fluffs its feathers to display at another raven. Although this coloration is unique in North America, a number of other crows and ravens around the world have white bases to their feathers. Its eyes are pale brown.

This corvid species (related to jays, magpies, crows, and ravens) breeds from southern Arizona, southeastern Colorado and western Kansas southward into Mexico. It spends winters in the southern part of its breeding range. Its preferred habitats include dry, open grassland with scattered trees and shrubs, and unbroken desert scrub.

The Chihuahuan Raven is omnivorous. It eats large insects, cultivated grains, carrion, eggs, young birds, fruits, lizards, small mammals, and garbage. It scans for food while perched or soaring, then catches food on the ground. It holds items under its feet to peck them apart.

Unlike most crows, the Chihuahuan Raven frequently reuses nests in subsequent years. Some pairs may maintain two nests and use them in alternate years. Unpredictable and harsh environmental conditions typical of their breeding habitat may cause non-breeding individuals to choose to help breeding pairs some seasons.

In flight, it soars on thermals or updrafts, alternating between several deep wing beats and short to long glides. It glides from altitude to perch or ground.

A group of ravens has many collective nouns, including a "bazaar", "constable", "rant", "storytelling", and "unkindness" of ravens.

I photographed this Common Raven near Sierra Vista, Arizona in May 2008. Note the white bases to the neck feathers that are apparent in this photograph. The wind was blowing very strongly at the time I photographed this individual and it is one of the better photographs I have seen of this inconspicuous field mark.

Contact Us

Please feel free to forward this issue of the E-SOURCE to veterinarians that are not receiving ISVMA’s electronic newsletter. Any ISVMA member may subscribe to the E-SOURCE for free:

If you wish to add your name to the recipient list, send an e-mail to info@isvma.org and ask to receive the E-SOURCE newsletter.

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