Blog Layout

Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2

Apr 20, 2020

For your information, IDEXX issued a press release this morning on its new commercially available IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR Test for animals. A link to that press release appears below, along with links to a diagnostic update, and FAQs and product information page.

AVMA updated its website to include additional information on animal testing yesterday, including creating a new webpage Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2 ,  as well as updating our FAQs. CDC has also updated its guidance here: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Additional information is available from:

Current expert understanding is that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted person-to-person. People have spread the virus to certain animals, but this appears to be rare. Currently, there is no evidence that animals incidentally infected in this way spread COVID-19 to people. For these reasons, AVMA, CDC, USDA, AAVLD, NASPHV, and IDEXX DO NOT recommend routine testing for animals for SARS-CoV-2. Because the situation is ever-evolving, public health and animal health officials may decide to test certain animals following specific criteria (see AVMA webpage for more information). In the United States, the decision to test should be made collaboratively between the attending veterinarian and local, state, and/or federal public health and animal health officials.

Please refer to USDA’s frequently asked questions for sample collection, transport, storage, and reporting of results. If samples are sent to state animal health, university, or private laboratories for initial testing, all samples should be collected by a licensed and, preferably, USDA-accredited veterinarian and in duplicate because positive samples must be confirmed through additional testing by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). The USDA is responsible for reporting any animal that tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the United States to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The post Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2 appeared first on MDVMA.

CT vs. MRI: Understanding Neurodiagnostics for Your Pet

By Jaime Markle • 24 Jul, 2023
When a patient with suspected neurological disease presents to Veterinary Neurology & Imaging of the Chesapeake, there are a number of steps in the process of identifying, diagnosing and treating their condition... The post CT vs. MRI: Understanding Neurodiagnostics for Your Pet appeared first on MDVMA.

Summer Conference Exhibitors

By Jaime Markle • 23 May, 2023
Company​ Booth # Antech Diagnostics 12 Banfield Pet Hospital 8 Blue Buffalo Company 24 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health 16 Christian Veterinary Mission 13 Compass Veterinary Neurology & Imaging 3 Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center & Memorial Gardens 4 Everhart Veterinary Medicine 10 First National Bank 22 MWI Animal Health 1 Nexus Veterinary Specialists 17 Nutramax … Summer Conference Exhibitors Read More » The post Summer Conference Exhibitors appeared first on MDVMA.

Washington and Annapolis Offers a “Carrot,” Other states choose the “Stick” to Encourage Employers to Offer Retirement Savings Programs

By Jaime Markle • 09 May, 2023
Few issues have united the federal and state governments like the challenge of inadequate retirement savings. Washington passed the Secure Act in 2019 to encourage employers – including veterinary practices and animal hospitals – to offer employment-based retirement savings programs. Just three years later, in December 2022, the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021 … Washington and Annapolis Offers a “Carrot,” Other states choose the “Stick” to Encourage Employers to Offer Retirement Savings Programs Read More » The post Washington and Annapolis Offers a “Carrot,” Other states choose the “Stick” to Encourage Employers to Offer Retirement Savings Programs appeared first on MDVMA.

2023 Legislative Update

By Jaime Markle • 09 May, 2023
Get the inside scoop on the 2023 legislative session in Maryland and stay up to date with important bills affecting veterinary services and animal welfare. Discover which bills passed, including SB390/HB325 which underwent crucial amendments to ensure the well-being of animals. Find out why HB1227, the bill involving veterinarians as dispensers, did not pass and what efforts are being made to address this issue in the future. Stay informed and be ready to contribute to the conversation in the next legislative session. The post 2023 Legislative Update appeared first on MDVMA.

Concern for HB 325 / SB 390 – Provision of Veterinary Services – Routine Medical Care and Rabies Vaccines

By MDVMA Staff • 07 Feb, 2023
MDVMA needs you, our valued members, more than ever. Please take the time to share your concern and/or opposition for House Bill 325 and Senate Bill 390. What is the synopsis? HB 325 and SB 390 will require the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to authorize a veterinary practitioner licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice veterinary … Concern for HB 325 / SB 390 – Provision of Veterinary Services – Routine Medical Care and Rabies Vaccines Read More » The post Concern for HB 325 / SB 390 – Provision of Veterinary Services – Routine Medical Care and Rabies Vaccines appeared first on MDVMA.

Legislative Update and Request for Your Assistance

By MDVMA Staff • 03 Jan, 2023
 Dr. Matthew Weeman, DVM, MSBoard of Directors Food Animal RepresentativeChair, Legislative Committee This past session your MDVMA and AVMA both used membership dollars to work hard on your behalf testifying on multiple, critical legislative items. For the first time in Maryland’s history a bill to reward non-economic damages was introduced. This bill was more … Legislative Update and Request for Your Assistance Read More » The post Legislative Update and Request for Your Assistance appeared first on MDVMA.

MDVMA Partners with Certified Safety Training to Provide Custom Veterinary OSHA Safety Services

By Marisa Francis • 30 Nov, 2022
Certified Safety Training offers MDVMA members fully customized and discounted Veterinary OSHA Safety Programs including unlimited online training modules, Certified Safety Data Sheets and dedicated compliance consulting. Veterinary OSHA Compliance Programs give veterinarians and practice managers a comprehensive review of the requirements of select health and safety standards. Each program comes with a written compliance plan, … MDVMA Partners with Certified Safety Training to Provide Custom Veterinary OSHA Safety Services Read More » The post MDVMA Partners with Certified Safety Training to Provide Custom Veterinary OSHA Safety Services appeared first on MDVMA.

Putting Employees’ Happiness at the Forefront

By MDVMA Staff • 21 Nov, 2022
By Jessica DeCesare, Chief People Officer, VetEvolve People rarely (if ever) go into the veterinary industry without having a true passion for it. You may even remember the specific moment when you decided to have a career in veterinary medicine. Maybe it was when you got your first puppy, your first time riding a horse … Putting Employees’ Happiness at the Forefront Read More » The post Putting Employees’ Happiness at the Forefront appeared first on MDVMA.

2022 FIP Diagnosis Guidelines

By Marisa Francis • 01 Sep, 2022
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and EveryCat Health Foundation Announce Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Diagnosis Guidelines BRIDGEWATER, NJ; WYCKOFF, NJ; September 1, 2022 – The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and EveryCat Health Foundation have released the 2022 AAFP/EveryCat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines. These landmark Guidelines are published in the Journal of … 2022 FIP Diagnosis Guidelines Read More » The post 2022 FIP Diagnosis Guidelines appeared first on MDVMA.

Meet the DVM Legislative Candidates Running for Office in Maryland

By Marisa Francis • 15 Jun, 2022
The post Meet the DVM Legislative Candidates Running for Office in Maryland appeared first on MDVMA.
More Posts
Share by: