Indiana State Board of Animal Health

BOAH to Host H5N1 Meeting for Dairy Producers, Industry Partners The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) will host a meeting in LaGrange County for the dairy industry—farmers, haulers, veterinarians, and service providers—to discuss the latest information and outlook related to the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian

July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month.
Did you know July is the busiest time of the year for animal shelters? Between fireworks, leaving for vacations, weekend trips, and celebrations there are more chances for your pet to get scared or confused.
Be sure to take preventative measures like putting your dog inside if they are afraid of fireworks, getting your pet microchipped, or getting a pet sitter.
For more information go to: https://www.petradar.org/en/articles/national-lost-pet-prevention-month

Indiana has not had any positive cases of high-path avian influenza (H5N1) in cattle to date.
If you want to receive email updates related to H5N1 in cattle or want to know more go to the BOAH website at: https://www.in.gov/boah/species-information/cattle-sheep-and-other-ruminants/cattle-dairy-and-beef/h5n1influenzaincattle/

Have you gotten your pets their rabies shots? Prevention is the best medicine for both you and your pets. Most cases of human rabies infection are from a domestic dog spreading the disease. Protecting your pets from rabies helps protect you and those around you from rabies.

To learn more about rabies go to: https://www.in.gov/rabies/animals-treatment-guide/

Today is National BBQ day! Whether you are grilling, searing, roasting, or slow cooking, ensure your meat reaches its safe temperature before serving. According to the USDA safe temps are:

Beef- 145°F
Pork- 145°F
Fish & shellfish- 145°F
Ground Meats- 165°F
Chicken- 165°F

Summer is fast approaching and with it comes higher temperatures. Whether you have a long-haired or short-haired dog pet owners should know the signs of heatstroke in their canine companions.
Check out this article from petMD to learn the symptoms and treatments for heatstroke to help keep your dog safe this summer.

Heatstroke in Dogs Heatstroke in dogs is a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. Dr. Veronica Higgs explains what you need to know to keep your dog safe.

Today is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Did you know that Indiana was the first state in the nation to include animals as part of their state emergency management plan?
To learn more and check out our Ready-Pet-Go Kit go to: https://www.in.gov/boah/disaster-preparedness-overview/

A crew from BOAH participated in a day of service helping with clean up in and around Fall Creek for "Keep Indianapolis Beautiful".
That to our team for all your hard work and continued service to the community!

Today starts National Pet Week! Any excuse is a good excuse to show your pet some more love. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has made up a list of recommendations on how to show your pet your care.
Of course spending time with them is always at the top of the list.

To learn more and check out the daily list go here: https://www.avma.org/events/national-pet-week

4-H Families! Have you gotten your premise ID numbers yet?
If you are showing livestock at the fair this year you will need your premise ID numbers before the deadline on May 15.

Register online at: https://in.accessgov.com/boah/Forms/Page/d32e5e9f-697b-4d7a-aa4a-70f484249400/premises-id-registration/1

Happy World Veterinary Health Day, April 17!
We are proud of the work of the BOAH veterinary staff's contribution to Indiana.

Clinton County Meat Processor Still Growing After COVID Surge For most companies, COVID-19 meant a downturn in business and profit. One of the few exceptions was the smaller meat processors around the country. As it turned out, we didn’t have nearly enough of them. Jessica Roosa,

RECALL ALERT - ADM Animal Nutrition is voluntarily recalling the following products as specific lots may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride and may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine:
▪ Pen Pals® Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb bag (Product No 70009ACF46);
Lot 507650QN
▪ Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 50-lb bag (Product No. 70009AAA44);
Lot 506942QN
▪ Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb case (Product No. 70009AAABE);
Lot 506942QN
▪ MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF DEN 50-lb. bag (Product No 21256CVWE4); Lot 506664QN
▪ MoorMan's Show-Tec Burst Starter with DFCTC/DEN 50-lb. bag
(Product No: 24320AYWE4); Lot 506640QN
▪ ShowTec BB 18 BMD 50-lb. bag (Product No. 18241AGNE4); Lot 506939QN
▪ ShowTec 14.5/6 BMD 50-lb. bag (Product No. 14560AGN); Lot 507900QN
▪ AMPT-A CTC/IGR 50-lb. bag (Product No. 54229XNK); Lot 507828QN
▪ ShowTec Hi Fat 18 BMD 50-lb. bag (Product No. 18007AGN); Lot 505791QN
▪ Seniorglo 50-lb. bag (Product No. 10130AB); Lot 505426QN
▪ MotivAte 12-15 DEN 50-lb. bag (Product No. 12286CVW); Lot 507330QN

More info: https://bit.ly/4cIJyh2

Indiana State Vet Encourages Cattle Producers to Look for These Signs in Their Herd On Monday, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed that clinical samples of milk from sick cattle from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Dr.

Even if you do not intend to take in the total solar eclipse (TSE) as it passes through Indiana on Monday, April 8, you might want to plan ahead if you anticipate traveling that day—especially if you are hauling livestock.

Partner agencies, including the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Transportation, have advised the Indiana State Board of Animal Health of concerns about significant traffic delays associated with the scores of visitors expected to converge on Central Indiana to view the total solar eclipse at its peak.
Highways (especially I-70) and county roads in the path of the eclipse are expected to be crowded throughout the entire day and potentially long after the eclipse is finished. Crowds of TSE-watchers saw normal travel time of 2.5 hours became 9 hours after the eclipse that passed through Kentucky a few years ago.

For more information about the TSE, including maps, timelines and optimal viewing locations, visit the official state website at: https://www.in.gov/dhs/solar-eclipse-2024/

Protecting Your Pet: Essential Tips for Poison Prevention - INVMA As responsible pet owners, ensuring the safety and well-being of our furry companions is paramount. One critical aspect of pet care often overlooked is poison prevention. Many common household items, foods, and plants can pose serious threats to our pets if ingested. In collaboration with the Americ...

Hey, 4-H Families! Are you showing livestock at this year's fair? Do you have your premises ID number? Don't wait until the May 15 deadline to apply!

Contact BOAH now--it's free, easy and online at: https://in.accessgov.com/boah/Forms/Page/d32e5e9f-697b-4d7a-aa4a-70f484249400/premises-id-registration/1

Interested in a career with BOAH?
We have openings for meat inspectors in Connersville and Elkhart areas.
Visit our careers page:

Career Opportunities Breadcrumbs BOAH Current Information Current: Career Opportunities Career Opportunities The Indiana State Board of Animal Health offers a number of career opportunities for those interested in regulatory veterinary medicine, food safety and related support roles.To apply for a position, potential ca...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources

Invasive/Asian carp are a group of carp (bighead carp, black carp, grass carp, and silver carp) in Indiana and the Mississippi River that pose a threat to native fish populations. These fish reproduce rapidly and can consume 40% of their body weight. Meaning that they can deplete an area of its space and resources.

They may also lower quality by killing sensitive organisms that maintain water quality. They are also known for jumping out of the water which can harm boaters and equipment.

To learn more and how to help reduce the spread of this invasive species go to: https://www.nps.gov/miss/learn/nature/ascarpover.htm

The Tree-of-Heaven (ailanthus) is an invasive plant that can be found throughout all of Indiana. "It has large, heart-shaped leaf scars on the twigs. Bark is smooth with lenticels and light grey, developing fissures as it grows older. Leaves and other plant parts smell like rancid peanut butter." (eddmaps.org)

The Tree-of-Heaven grows rapidly, can survive in poor soil and out-compete native plant life. It is also harmful to humans. With its sap having the ability to trigger an allergic reaction in some people. It can also grow through concrete with time. To learn how to properly remove this plant pest go to: https://www.inwoodlands.org/managing-tree-of-heaven/

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that was first identified in the United States in 2014 and then later found in Indiana in 2021. These pests feed on a wide range of plants and crops including walnuts, grapes, and apples.
The spotted lanternfly will lay a large number of eggs that look like a patch of mud. They will also lay their eggs on most surfaces available to them outside, which means that they will occasionally lay their eggs on vehicles or trailers and spread themselves incredibly far.

If you want to make a report about an egg sighting of spotted lanternfly eggs or want to learn more about prevention go to: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2022/Q3/invasive-spotted-lanternfly-now-in-northern-indiana.html

Invasive spotted lanternfly now in northern Indiana Seen in July in Indiana’s Huntington County, the invasive spotted lanternfly has officially migrated to northern Indiana, just one year after its initial sighting in Switzerland County.

Poison hemlock is an invasive plant that is poisonous to both humans and animals. It looks similar to wild carrots with small, white, clusters of flowers. However, poison hemlock has distinctive purple spotting on the stem. It has a foul smell and every part of the plant is highly poisonous.

When ingested symptoms can range from sweating and vomiting to muscle paralysis and death. Poison hemlock should be removed from pastures immediately if found to avoid consumption from animals. If pulling or digging up plants wear protective clothing to avoid direct contact, gloves and eye protection included. Wash your clothes afterward. Poison hemlock is not poisonous on contact but there are a few cases of people having reactions to touching it. When disposing of poison hemlock put it in a garbage bag and throw it away.
Do NOT burn poison hemlock. The smoke can be toxic.

To learn more about poison hemlock check out:https://extension.purdue.edu/county/harrison/anr-storage/poison-hemlock-article.pdf

Feral Swine (Wild hogs) are no longer a growing invasive species in Indiana thanks to a lot of work to eliminate the population.

They differ from domestic pigs by their hair being coarse with long bristles. Feral swine have the same diet as many of Indiana's native species and reproduce quickly. Which can deprive native species of food and potentially drive them from an area.

Feral swine also carry disease, eat and trample crops, degrade soil in wetlands, contaminate water sources and cause property damage. Feral Swine on average weigh between 110 pounds and 130 pounds and the males can reach up to 250 pounds. They should not be approached as they can be dangerous to humans.

The biggest risk now is the importation of wild hogs in the state by individuals who are unaware of the harm they cause and may be seeking to establish a hunting herd.
If you have seen feral swine or want to learn more go to https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/feral-wild-hog/ #:~:text=Wild%20pigs%E2%80%94also%20called%20wild,both%20agricultural%20and%20ecological%20health.

Asian longhorned ticks (ALHT) are new to Indiana. The first detection occurred in Dubois County on April 2023. These ticks feed on a wide range of animals including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and wildlife (including deer, several species of birds, raccoons and opossums), as well as humans. They are more often found in tall grass and pasture areas and can adapt well to the environment. The ticks can carry and spread several tickborne diseases to animals and people.

A major problem with the ALHT is that the female can reproduce without mating. Meaning the population of this pest can undergo explosive growth in a short period of time. Cases of severe ALHT infestation of livestock animals have been reported.

Veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners who notice severe tick infestations and/or unusual ticks consistent with ALHTs are encouraged to contact an Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) district veterinarian to report or for assistance with identification.
To learn more go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/asian-longhorned-tick

Dog Owners: You are probably hearing a lot about the mysterious respiratory illness that is affecting dogs across the country. Here are a few things our veterinarians want you to know to keep your pets safe:
• Be vigilant in monitoring your dogs for signs of illness after boarding, holiday travel, or other activities where pets may have commingled with others. If a dog develops a cough or lethargy, a veterinary visit should be recommended.
• Make sure all of your dogs are up-to-date on all of their recommended vaccines including distemper combination (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo), Bordetella, and canine influenza.
• Reduce contact with large numbers of unknown dogs when possible. Just like with other respiratory diseases, dogs that are co-mingled may be at greater risk for developing the illness.
• Keep sick dogs at home whenever possible (unless taking them to the veterinarian for examination or treatment). Social settings carry inherent risks of disease spread.
• Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.
• Be aware that brachycephalic breeds (those with flat faces) seem more susceptible to the negative effects of this illness.