Dr. Curtis Russell from Public Health Ontario shares the most up to date info on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases from a human surveillance perspective, and as it relates to pet owners, and veterinarians.  He also reviews the life cycles and kinds of ticks found in Ontario.  Great review and current info as part 1 of our Lyme disease in companion animals series.  Next episode will feature Dr. Michelle Evason, DACVIM, with a review of clinical aspects, new Lyme knowledge, diagnostics and treatments.

We are joined by Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, veterinarian and associate professor of epidemiology at the Ontario Veterinary College, to discuss producer mental health. Dr. Jones-Bitton's work on producer mental health in Canada is the first of its kind in Canada, and we discuss not only the findings, but how veterinarians may recognize signs of distress in clients, and what to do

We discuss small ruminant lameness with Dr. Paula Menzies from OAHN's Small Ruminant Network. Lameness is a common problem in both sheep and goats. Learn about the causes and treatments, and what every producer should know about small ruminant lameness.

We are joined by Mike Draper, the livestock community sales coordinator for OMAFRA's veterinary services unit, to discuss the veterinary services unit within OMAFRA, regulating livestock auction markets, Mr. Draper's role within OMAFRA's animal protection team, when veterinarians should contact him, and what equine veterinarians should know.  

Dr. Melanie Barham is joined by Mike Draper the livestock community sales coordinator for OMAFRA's veterinary services unit. They discuss Mr. Draper's role within OMAFRA's animal protection team and what veterinarians should know. 

Dr. Melanie Barham talks to Dr. Brad DeWolf and Dr. Alex Reid about Cysticercus ovis. Dr. DeWolf discusses what C. ovis is, how it is spread, and how to reduce the risk of infection. Dr. Reid discusses the OMAFRA perspective on C. ovis, including the current status of C. ovis in Ontario.

Dr. Melanie Barham is joined by Sherry Taylor, Dr. Alexandra Reid and Erin Chesterfield from OMAFRA. They discuss the route that food and welfare issues take throughout OMAFRA, and highlight some important points for veterinarians.

Dr. Melanie Barham talks with Dr. Cindy McMann and Jacinta Cassidy from Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis about the signs of abuse that a veterinarian might notice when treating a family’s pets, and approaches that a veterinarian can employ to help when they become aware of .an abusive situation, whether with women, men, or children, and some of the relationship between animal abuse and abuse in relationships.

Dr. McMann also discusses a program they are developing that finds temporary emergency boarding and care for the animals of women that need to enter the domestic violence shelter. Many women in violent situations will delay or avoid leaving the situation due to not being able to find care for their pets

Resources

www.gwwomenincrisis.org

Crisis lines: 519-836-5710 or 1-800-265-7233

Dr. McMann's email if you want to learn more about the emergency boarding project. 

Dr. Melanie Barham interviews Dr. Colleen Best, the post-doctoral fellow with the Advancement of Wellness and Resilience in Research and Education (AWARE) Group at the Ontario Veterinary College. They discuss the research Dr. Best is currently doing on veterinarian mental health, self care strategies for veterinarians and resources that veterinarians can access. 

Dr. Melanie Barham sits down with Dr. Maureen Anderson, the Lead Veterinarian, Animal Health & Welfare at Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to discuss the recent raccoon-variant rabies cases around Hamilton, Ontario, and the one fox-variant case found in Perth County. Dr. Anderson also discusses vaccination, the Rabies Response Program, and other resources for veterinarians and pet owners.