Alberta Veterinary Medical Association

12/23/2025

As the year winds down, we celebrate the kindness, care, and dedication you show to animals every day.

This holiday season, may your homes be filled with cozy cuddles, playful pounces, and joyful moments with the pets who make life brighter. Thank you for being part of our community and for everything you do to keep animals happy, healthy, and loved.

Please note that the ABVMA office will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, to Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, inclusive.

From all of us at ABVMA, wishing you a happy holiday season!

12/22/2025

'Tis the season for cheer — and pet-proofing! From chocolate under the tree to chewed cords and curious tinsel, holiday decorations and treats can turn festive fun into furry-friend danger. Keep candies, ribbons, electrical cords, potted plants, even stagnant tree water well out of paws’ reach — and give your pets pet-safe treats instead of table scraps.

A safe, calm space and a little extra vigilance help ensure your pets enjoy the holidays as much as you do.

Read more: https://albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/content/holiday-hazards

12/22/2025

⚠️ Public Notice: Avian Influenza (HPAI) detected in a dog in Alberta

A dog in Alberta has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

While cases in pets remain rare, domestic animals - especially cats - can become infected through contact with or scavenging infected wild birds. In other cases, infection has been linked to pets being fed raw poultry or unpasteurized (raw) milk.

What pet owners should know:
- Keep pets away from wild birds and carcasses
- Avoid feeding pets raw poultry or unpasteurized milk
- Monitor outdoor pets, barn cats, and farm cats closely, especially on dairy and poultry farms

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet has outdoor access or eats raw food and develops respiratory or neurological symptoms. Learn more here:

Check this page for updates to the avian influenza situation in Alberta.

12/19/2025

Holiday gifts for pets are always fun, but some toys and treats can cause more trouble than joy. Picking the right ones helps keep your pet safe all season long.

Good choices:
Go for sturdy rubber toys that fit your pet’s size. Skip anything with a squeaker they can pull out. Soft toys are fine as long as they don’t have plastic eyes or noses. Treat-dispensing puzzles keep pets busy, and for cats, try catnip toys or silver vine if they’re picky.

Things to avoid:
Rawhide can cause choking or blockages, so it’s best to leave it behind. Steer clear of toys with bells, beads, feathers, or loose stuffing that can come off. And if a toy is small enough to fit in your pet’s mouth, it’s not safe.

Pro tip:
Watch your pet with any new toy. If they destroy it in minutes, it wasn’t the right match.

Give them something fun and safe this holiday season, and they’ll enjoy it so much more.

12/16/2025

Volunteer with the Classroom Agriculture Program and inspire the next generation! Help students discover the vital role agriculture plays in their everyday lives through engaging lessons, fun activities and hands-on props. You’ll bring agriculture to life in the classroom and show young minds just how exciting this industry can be.

Make a difference this year! Sign up now: https://www.classroomagricultureprogram.ca/volunteer-registration

12/08/2025

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal, contagious neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose and caribou. It damages the brain and nervous system, causing weight loss, unusual behaviour and eventually death. While there is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans, public health and wildlife officials advise against eating meat from infected animals.

In Alberta, CWD is monitored through a targeted surveillance program that collects and tests from harvested animals, roadkill, and reported cases. This helps monitor disease spread and inform disease management decisions to protect cervid populations by reducing further transmission.

Read more: https://albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/content/hunter-surveillance-chronic-wasting-disease-albertas-cervids

12/05/2025

Happy International Volunteer Day!
Today, we celebrate the amazing volunteers within our ABVMA member community—people whose time, compassion, and leadership strengthen animal health and support the veterinary profession both here in Alberta and around the world.

From the Council and Committee members who help shape our profession, to those who roll up their sleeves in clinics, communities, and beyond - thank you. Your time, energy, and compassion make a meaningful impact.

Today, we wanted to highlight Connie Varnhagen, RVT, for her volunteer work in the Galápagos with Animal Balance, supporting humane community programs and advancing animal welfare abroad. Her work exemplifies the commitment and heart that many of our members bring to the world.

To every volunteer in our member community, whether helping locally or halfway across the globe, you inspire us every day. Thank you for building a stronger profession and healthier communities for both people and animals.

12/03/2025

It’s National Cat Lovers Month, and we’re celebrating by keeping your feline friends healthy this winter!

Winter myth: “Cats naturally drink less in the cold, so it’s fine if their bowl is barely touched.”

Fact: Indoor heating makes Alberta’s winter air extremely dry. Cats have a low thirst drive, and many become chronically dehydrated without obvious signs.

Dehydration silently stresses kidneys, thickens urine, and raises risks of urinary crystals, blockages, and constipation — issues Alberta veterinarians see spike every January – March.

Simple ways to keep your cat hydrated (and thriving) this winter:

- Place multiple fresh water stations around the home
- Try cat water fountains
- Mix in water or low-sodium broth with meals
- Add wet food to their diet

Hydration matters year-round. Simple steps make a real difference.

11/27/2025

As pets enter their senior years, their healthcare needs change. Regular check-ups become even more important to maintain their comfort and quality of life. Senior dogs and cats should visit their veterinarian at least every 6 months — more often if you notice any changes in behaviour, mobility, appetite, weight, thirst, urination, or comfort.

Your veterinary team may recommend:
- Comprehensive physical examination
- Blood and urine tests to monitor organ function and screen for common senior diseases
- F***l testing for parasites
- Dental examination and professional cleaning
- X-rays, ultrasound, or other diagnostics as needed

Early detection is the best way to keep your senior pet happy and healthy for a longer time.

Read more: https://albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/content/your-senior-pet

11/22/2025

Cancer can affect any pet, at any age, but older pets are at greatest risk. For dogs over 10 years old, about 1 in 4 will face cancer in their lifetime. Early detection saves lives — prevention is key, and knowing the warning signs and seeing your veterinarian regularly can make all the difference.

⚠️ Signs of Cancer in Pets
Watch for any of these persistent signs:

- Lumps or abnormal swelling, especially if new or changing
- Non-healing wounds
- Weight loss, loss of appetite, or difficulty eating
- Tumours in the mouth, throat, or a**s
- Lameness or lethargy
- Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding
- Respiratory issues; coughing or trouble breathing

If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian promptly. Early detection is the best defence.
Read more: https://www.albertaanimalhealthsource.ca/content/pets-and-cancer

11/18/2025

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern that affects people, animals, and the environment. It occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. These resistant bacteria can pass this trait to their offspring and other bacteria, making infections harder to treat. Rapid bacterial reproduction accelerates the spread of resistance, threatening the effectiveness of life-saving medications.

The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) supports responsible antimicrobial use as part of our One Health commitment — protecting animal health, public health, and the environment. Tackling AMR requires a unified effort across humans and animals. Pet owners, food producers, and veterinarians all play a role in using antimicrobials wisely, preventing infections, and following medical guidance.

11/14/2025

We’re excited to share that Carrie from Castleridge Veterinary Clinic is our RVT Month contest winner! 🎉

A big thank you to all the RVTs and clinics who joined in.

Lunch is coming your way, Castleridge team!