The Chief Veterinary Office (CVO), in collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would like to notify Manitoba veterinary teams of the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in the province.

Locations of HPAI detections in Canada and their respective control zones can be found at CFIA’s Detections of avian influenza in Canada website. General information on HPAI H5N1 can be found on CFIA’s Facts about avian influenza website. Suspect cases of HPAI H5N1 should be reported to the Sick Bird Line, 1-403-338-5225, where CFIA will determine appropriate follow-up.

Veterinary teams can encourage poultry owners to watch their flocks carefully during wild bird migratory seasons, noting any changes in health. Signs of avian influenza may include:

• A sudden drop in egg production
• Diarrhea
• Hemorrhages of the hock
• Increased mortality rate – often sudden and high, but can also occur at more moderate rates
• Extreme depression
• Swelling of the skin under the eyes
• Swollen and congested wattles and combs

Those with additional questions can contact their district CFIA office or reach out to the Manitoba CVO at chiefveterinaryoffice@gov.mb.ca or 1-204-945-7663.

HPAI impacts on poultry owners can be devastating and Manitoba veterinary clinics are reminded that special mental health resources are available to livestock/poultry producers and those involved in agriculture. Veterinary teams are encouraged to share this information with clients, as no one should feel alone during difficult times. The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) offers no-cost, short term counselling specifically tailored to Manitoba farmers, farm families and farm employees. The Canadian Centre for Agriculture Wellbeing (CCAW) offers mental health training to those involved in the agricultural industry. The National Farmer Crisis Line, 1-866-FARMS-01, offers free, 24/7 mental health support to farmers, farm families and agricultural workers in Canada.

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association’s Public Directory is an essential resource for both the public and the profession. To maintain the accuracy and reliability of this directory, all members must keep their information in Alinity up to date.

Keeping your contact and practice details current not only enhances public confidence and ensures compliance with MVMA requirements but also enables us to reach you more easily with important updates or information related to your membership. Please take a moment to review your details and make any necessary updates at your earliest convenience.

You can review and update your member profile by logging in through the MVMA Member Login portal.

If you have any questions or require assistance with updating your information, please contact the Director of Member Services for support.

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) is seeking a new veterinarian representative to be part of the MVMA Peer Review Committee (PRC).

The role of a PRC Committee Member is to work on a sub-committee and review/investigate complaints against MVMA members and reach decisions regarding these complaints within the framework of The Veterinary Medical Act and the General By-laws of the MVMA as part of a Peer Review Complaints Committee (PRCC). All PRCC members must approach each complaint as impartially as possible.

For more information, or if you are interested in joining the Peer Review Committee, please contact the MVMA Interim Registrar, Barb Kryzanowski via email at barbk@mvma.ca

Are you a licensed Veterinarian passionate about ethical animal care, advancing animal care standards, and giving back to your community? RRC Polytech is seeking a dedicated professional to lead our Animal Care Committee (ACC), a vital role ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare in education at the college.

As Chair, you’ll collaborate with faculty and community partners to uphold regulatory compliance, guide compassionate care practices, and contribute to a culture of integrity and innovation. The ACC meets twice yearly (spring and fall) to review animal use protocols for the upcoming academic term. Meetings to review and discuss protocols are typically between 3-4 hours, with time required to review protocols prior to attending. Periodically, ACC members will be involved with monitoring approved protocols and attend labs during protocol utilization.

What We’re Looking For:

• A Veterinarian with experience in animal care oversight
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Commitment to ethical standards and education

Why Join Us?

• Influence meaningful change in post-secondary education
• Work with a passionate, interdisciplinary team
• Help shape the future of animal care at RRC Polytech

For more information or to express interest, contact Dr Wendy Slezak at wslezak@rrc.ca

After many years of dedicated service to the veterinary profession and Birchwood Animal Hospital, Dr. Philipp Schott is retiring. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Schott has exemplified professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence in animal care. His contributions have had a lasting impact on his colleagues, clients, pets and the broader veterinary community.

A celebration will be held in recognition of Dr. Schott’s retirement on October 15. Those who would like to extend their best wishes, or inquire about his celebration are welcome to email SchottRetirement@gmail.com.

We thank Dr. Schott for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his retirement.

2026 Council Nominations

MVMA member nominations for the 2026 MVMA Council are now open. It is an opportunity for members to be a leader in the Manitoba veterinary profession. Licensed members (practicing veterinarians) or members registered under s .17 of the Veterinary Medical Act (registered veterinary technologists) of the MVMA are eligible to nominate colleagues to the MVMA Council.

*Council members can attend meetings via phone or video communications*

The MVMA Council nominations close November 1, 2025.

• MVMA Council Nomination Form (https://www.mvma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Call-for-Council-Nominations-package-Final.pdf)

If you have any questions, please contact Hugh Moran, MVMA Executive Director, at:

executivedirector@mvma.ca or 204-832-1276 ext. 1

The MVMA Council is comprised of six (6) veterinarian members, the past president and two (2) veterinary technologists.

MVMA Council Nominations are open for:

• veterinarian council members – three (3) year term
• veterinary technologist council members – two (2) year term

MVMA Election Notification

Should there be more nominations than vacant positions, an election will be held from November 15 to November 30, 2025. The Election Day for 2026 MVMA Council positions (if required), will be December 1, 2025

For more information, click here.

This advanced training wet lab with Shoshana Verton-Shaw, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), RLAT, is open to both RVTs and DVMs. The session will cover body condition scoring and critical care nutrition, including feeding tube placement and refeeding protocols. Register and find more information here.

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Beef producers and bovine veterinarians are being asked to assist in a western Canadian bovine anaplasmosis study. The study looks to determine the occurrence of anaplasmosis in western Canadian beef cattle, survey herd management practices that may affect the risk of anaplasmosis and develop a chute-side test for rapid detection. The study was unable to collect sufficient samples from beef herds west of Winnipeg last year, so researchers are looking for support and sample submissions again this fall. With preg checking season upon us, bovine practitioners have the opportunity to connect with producers and offer herd screening. The project does provide some compensation for the producer, as well as private veterinarians, for their time.

Those with study questions can contact the project lead with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:

• Shaun Dergousoff shaun.dergousoff@AGR.GC.CA

Those interested in submitting samples are asked to contact the University of Manitoba team conducting the local diagnostics:

• Kateryn Rochon kateryn.rochon@umanitoba.ca
• Mabel Currie curriem1@myumanitoba.ca

See the study posters here.