The Chief Veterinary Office (CVO), in collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would like to inform MVMA members that a case of bovine tuberculosis (BTb) has been confirmed in a seven-year-old animal that was slaughtered at a federally inspected abattoir in Manitoba. As with other federally reportable diseases, the investigation is led by the CFIA, with support from the CVO and industry stakeholders. A national eradication program mandated by the CFIA has been in place for BTb since 1923, which involves a quarantine being placed on the farm that the infected animal originated from and BTb testing of this herd will occur prior to depopulation. Contact tracing conducted by the CFIA will determine if additional herds pose a risk and also undergo BTb testing.

Manitoba Public Health has been notified of the detection and oversees the human health aspect of BTb. Veterinarians are reminded and encouraged to share with clients that although BTb is zoonotic, the pasteurization of milk destroys Mycobacterium bovis and the surveillance system in place at slaughter facilities ensures food safety within Canada.

Veterinary teams can find further information concerning BTb at the CFIA’s Bovine Tuberculosis website or Bovine Tuberculosis Investigations website. They may also reach out to the CVO, chiefveterinaryoffice@gov.mb.ca or 1-204-945-7663, with any questions.

Manitoba veterinary clinics are also reminded that special mental health resources are available to livestock producers and those involved in agriculture. Veterinary teams are encouraged to share this information with clients, as no one should feel alone when they are struggling. 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.

Building Connections and Knowledge for Future Veterinary Leaders

July 17–18 | Winnipeg & Elm Creek

NextGen Vets: Summer Student Days 2025
Presented by the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) with support from Keystone Agriculture Producers and the government of Manitoba.

Two events designed for veterinary students and Manitoba practices to connect, explore career paths, and meet the people shaping the future. Join us for one or both; the choice is yours.

Student Mixer
Thursday, July 17, 2025
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Nicolino’s Restaurant, Winnipeg

What to Expect
A relaxed evening with appetizers, good conversation, and better connections. Engage with practicing veterinarians, technologists, and clinic managers in an informal setting where questions are encouraged and business cards are optional.

For Students

Student registration includes safe ride vouchers to help you get home safely after the event. Hotel accommodations are also available for students travelling from outside Winnipeg.

Veterinarian Student Registration

For Veterinary Professionals
Each clinic may register up to two professionals. It’s a chance to meet students early, offer guidance, and spark relationships that could grow into employment opportunities. For veterinary practices, the Student Mixer is $65 per attendee.

Veterinary Professional Registration (Limit 2 attendees per clinic)

Dairy Farm Tour
Friday, July 18, 2025
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Halarda Farms, Elm Creek, Manitoba
Free for veterinarian students

What to Expect
Step into the rhythm of rural practice. You’ll tour a high-capacity dairy farm, hear from practicing vets about food animal care, and see the work that powers Manitoba’s agricultural communities.

Included with your registration
• Guided tour of Halarda Farms
• Informal Q&A with veterinarians on-site
• Lunch and refreshments

For Veterinary Professionals
Each clinic may register up to two professionals to attend. Whether you’re passionate about food animal medicine or simply want to connect with students interested in rural work, your presence makes this experience richer for everyone.

We are monitoring notices regarding the increase in bovine tuberculosis cases. If it reaches a concerning level, we will not host the next generation event. Updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.

Veterinarian Student Registration

Veterinary Professional Registration (Limit 2 attendees per clinic)

Additional Information
• Students may attend one or both events
• Both events are free for veterinarian students
• Hotel accommodations are available for students from outside Winnipeg
• Transportation support may be arranged if needed
• Spots are limited; early registration is encouraged

Explore your future. Expand your network. Get inspired.

Questions?
Contact Hailey Marsh at engagement@mvma.ca

This is a flexible, come-and-go event. Join us whenever it suits you within zoo hours.
Your ticket gets you full-day access to the zoo so that you can arrive any time between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Lunch and MVMA-hosted activities will only be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in our private picnic area. Don’t miss it!

We’re excited to confirm that the MVMA Summer Family Fun Day is going ahead as planned on Saturday, June 7 at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The air quality is expected to be low risk, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo
Zoo Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

What’s Included with Your Ticket:

• Admission to the zoo
• Lunch: Hot dog (or vegetarian dog), chips, and a drink
• Access to the MVMA private picnic area
• Classic outdoor games and family fun

Lunch and activities run from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at our reserved picnic space.

Ticket Prices:

• Children (up to 17 years old): $10.00
• Adults (18+): $20.00

Where to Pick Up Your Tickets:

When you arrive, head to the Visitor Services Office at the Main Zoo Entrance. Let staff know you’re with the MVMA Family Fun Day.

Your tickets will be under the name of the person who purchased them. If you’re part of a larger group arriving separately, make sure everyone gives your name at Visitor Services. They’ll receive an MVMA wristband and a zoo ticket.

Staff will have everything ready and will direct you to our private picnic area.

Important: Zoo staff have been briefed to help MVMA guests. Just mention the event and they’ll guide you to the right place!

We’re at capacity! 🐾
Registration is now closed for the MVMA Summer Family Fun Day on June 7 at Assiniboine Park Zoo. We’re so excited to welcome everyone who signed up!

Please contact Hailey at engagement@mvma.ca if you have any questions.

On April 23^rd Manitoba detected a rabies positive dog in the City of Winnipeg. The 1.5 year old dog was originally from Nunavut and is believed to have been exposed to an Arctic fox in the weeks before it was brought into Winnipeg through a local rescue.

The exact date of exposure is unknown, but locals in the community noted the dog chasing a fox on or around February 27^th, 2025, along with a pack of other dogs. This dog arrived in Winnipeg on March 31^st, was quarantined for 2 weeks by the rescue, then was vaccinated (with rabies and distemper/ parvo) and was spayed on April 16^th at a Winnipeg veterinary clinic. Symptoms of rabies began on April 18^th, and the dog died on the 20^th from a cardiac arrest after sedation at another Winnipeg vet clinic (the dog was aggressive and could not be handled while awake). Symptoms included lethargy, hypersalivation, stargazing, and aggression. Positive rabies test results were received on April 23^rd. Variant typing is pending, but the arctic fox variant is anticipated considering the wildlife activity and sighting in the area.

Rabies virus is present throughout Canada in a variety of wildlife hosts. Arctic foxes, skunks, and bats are the main reservoir species in Manitoba. The virus is spread through saliva and has a long incubation period (the time between exposure and expression of symptoms) of up to 6 months. Unfortunately, once symptoms appear, rabies is 100% fatal, and mortality generally occurs within 10 days of symptom development. Rabies vaccines are extremely effective at preventing disease progression when given shortly after exposure (ideally within 7 days). In dogs that are incubating the virus, a rabies vaccine can sometimes accelerate disease progression, as seen in this case. Generally, rabies virus is only seen in saliva when symptoms are present, but it is possible for viral expression in the few days prior to symptom detection. There are no antemortem tests for rabies, diagnosis can only be made post-mortem on fresh brain tissue.

At least 3 individuals are receiving post-exposure treatment after handling this dog while it was symptomatic, and several more individuals are receiving post-exposure treatment after handling the dog at the time of her spay on April 16^th. One dog in the foster home received post-exposure vaccination but does not require a quarantine as it was fully vaccinated prior to its exposure.

There are 2 other dogs that came from this community that are related to the positive dog (possibly her puppies, both aged ~6 months). The dogs were flown to Winnipeg separately over the course of 6 weeks (Puppy 1 arrived Feb 28^th, Puppy 2 arrived April 20^th). Puppy 1 was vaccinated in March and then adopted out to a home in Ontario, while Puppy 2 was vaccinated shortly after arrival and is still in Winnipeg. Neither puppy had known exposure to wildlife.

The three dogs were last together in February, in Nunavut, with no contact with the positive dog while it was symptomatic. Neither of the two puppies are undergoing a quarantine as they had no known exposure and have both received a first rabies vaccine.

Both the veterinary health and public health teams for Nunavut and Ontario were made aware of the case, the dogs’ origins, and the current locations of the puppies. No further follow-up is anticipated.

While rabies is a rare disease in domestic animals in Canada, this case illustrates the importance of widespread animal vaccination and record keeping of animal travel. With domestic animal relocations from high-risk areas, and wildlife habitat range changes due to climate change and urbanization, the risk of rabies is present across the country, including in regions with no previous cases. Animal vaccines are a safe and effective means of protecting both animal health and human health, and clear record-keeping is invaluable during disease investigations.

For questions on rabies testing or to report a rabies concern, call the Manitoba Agriculture on-call veterinarian at the rabies line, 204-470-1108.

Alexandra Jerao, DVM

Operations Veterinarian – One Health & Rabies, Manitoba Agriculture

Alexandra.Jerao@gov.mb.ca

Thank You for Joining Us at the 2025 Specialist Symposium!
Presented by the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association
May 4, 2025 | Holiday Inn West, Winnipeg

The MVMA was thrilled to welcome veterinary professionals from across Manitoba to the 2025 Specialist Symposium, a full day of learning, connection, and collaboration. This year’s event offered attendees the chance to earn 6 CE credit hours while engaging with expert-led sessions in veterinary behaviour, ophthalmology, and radiology.

Dr. Anneliese Heinrich opened the day with a practical approach to managing behavioural cases in clinical settings. Dr. Kimberly Hsu followed with insights into canine cataract management. Dr. Tannis Lochhead delivered an in-depth, three-part series on small animal gastrointestinal radiography, concluding with strategies for identifying difficult-to-detect foreign bodies.

Along with valuable educational content, the symposium provided an opportunity for veterinary professionals to connect, share experiences, and strengthen the Manitoba veterinary community.

We sincerely thank our presenters, attendees, and everyone who helped make this event a success!

Here are some supplementary materials from Dr Tannis Lochhead!:

• https://www.veterinaryradiology.net/
• https://www.vetmedteam.com/our-instructors.aspx
• https://www.medvet.com/continuing-education/

Manitoba Agriculture and industry stakeholders would like to inform MVMA members that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been recently detected in commercial poultry and wild birds within the province. This highly contagious virus is known to be transmitted by wild waterfowl and shorebirds, with heightened risk of HPAI infection occurring during spring and fall migration. During these times, poultry owners are encouraged to watch their birds closely for signs of disease, such as decreased egg production, increased mortality or severe depression, and take measures to reduce contact between wild birds and their flock. Veterinary teams and owners are also reminded that HPAI is zoonotic, so proper personal protective equipment should be used when handling suspect animals, and that it can infect other species that are in contact with or scavenging positive birds.

HPAI is a federally reportable disease in poultry which means that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) must be notified of all suspected cases. Poultry owners should contact their veterinarian or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Sick Bird Line (1-403-338-5225) if they are concerned that their birds have been infected with HPAI. Veterinary teams receiving calls about HPAI suspect poultry should also contact the CFIA Sick Bird Line where HPAI risk and how to proceed will be determined.

More information on HPAI and biosecurity recommendations for poultry owners can be found at the CFIA’s Facts About Avian Influenza website. Owner or veterinary teams are also encouraged to reach out to the Manitoba Chief Veterinary Office at 1-204-945-7663 or chiefveterinaryoffice@gov.mb.ca if they have additional questions.

The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) is pleased to present the 2022–2024 Strategic Plan Report. This report highlights the significant progress achieved over the past three years, guided by the priorities established through a comprehensive planning process. These priorities were first outlined in the original 2022–2024 Strategic Plan, which served as a roadmap for our initiatives. We are grateful to our members and partners for their contributions and support in advancing these efforts.

As we look to the future, the MVMA is preparing to update and restructure its Strategic Plan to continue guiding our efforts in advancing veterinary medicine in Manitoba. We recognize there is still significant work ahead and look forward to engaging our members in shaping the next phase of our strategic direction.

We invite you to review the report and reflect on the accomplishments that have positioned us for continued growth and success.

Strategic Plan Report 2022-2024

To ensure a safe and compliant learning environment, all veterinary clinics hosting students must follow the MVMA’s student placement requirements. These apply to all placements, including volunteering, practicums, rotations, externships, and employment.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be enrolled in a CVMA or AVMA-accredited veterinary or veterinary technology program.

• Veterinary students: Accredited Veterinary Colleges
• RVT students: Accredited Veterinary Technology Programs

Before Beginning a Placement, Students Must:

• Hold a free MVMA student membership
  • Valid until one month after their expected graduation
  • No renewal required
• Complete the Student Practice Experience Form
  • Please include name and contact details for their supervising veterinarian (vet students) or supervising veterinarian/RVT (RVT students)

If you are unsure whether your student is registered correctly, contact the MVMA at mvmainfo@mvma.ca.

Hello MVMA Members,

I want to share an important update regarding the leadership of the MVMA. Our Executive Director and Registrar will be taking a one-year leave of absence from August 2025- August 2026. The MVMA Council and Hiring Subcommittee have developed a recruitment plan to ensure our association continues to regulate and support veterinary professionals.

This spring, the MVMA Council is hiring for two term positions: one full time Executive Director and one part time Registrar.

We believe this approach will best support the needs of our association, maintaining stability and allowing us to continue working toward our vision of creating a sustainable veterinary community.

Application information for each position is located below. Please circulate in your networks to ensure we have a robust applicant pool.

We appreciate your support and will share more details as we move forward.

Sincerely,
Dr. Joe King
President, MVMA

Interim Executive Director Job Posting

Interim Registrar Job Posting

Porta Vet Colt in good/used condition, was used for 3 years and has been sitting since. Drawers work great. Key has been misplaced, but the drawer is not locked. New lists for $4200 USD, asking $1500 CAD. If shipping is required it would be at the buyer’s expense. Located in St Pierre-Jolys

Contact: Dr. Venessa Graydon drgraydon@graydonvet.com