Alberta Veterinary Medical Association

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association Serving the public by regulating, enhancing and providing leadership in the practice of the profession of veterinary medicine

Founded in 1906.

The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) is the professional regulatory organization governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Alberta under the authority of the Veterinary Profession Act. As a self-governing profession, the ABVMA is required to perform its regulatory and professional functions in accordance with the law and in a manner responsible to the public of Alberta through

the department of Alberta Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour. The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) is committed to inclusion across gender identity, ethnicity, religion, age, neurodiversity, physical or mental ability and sexual orientation. The ABVMA membership is multicultural and we value multiple approaches and different points of view in a safe, positive and collaborative environment.

As spring continues, animal health risks can shift quickly. With the return of livestock to pastures and heightened wild...
05/25/2026

As spring continues, animal health risks can shift quickly. With the return of livestock to pastures and heightened wildlife movement, it’s important to stay alert and help protect your herd.

The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System Disease Alerts tool provides current, verified information on animal health issues across Canada, supporting early awareness and response.

Stay updated on the latest alerts: https://cahss.ca/cahss-tools/disease-alerts

Ticks often attach in places pet owners don’t immediately think to check.Ticks that carry Lyme disease can be found in m...
05/22/2026

Ticks often attach in places pet owners don’t immediately think to check.

Ticks that carry Lyme disease can be found in many outdoor environments, and pets may be exposed during walks, time in the yard, or visits to parks and wooded areas. Because ticks often attach in hidden spots, a quick check after outdoor activity is an important way to help reduce risk.

Focus on areas like around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, under the legs, and near the tail. Finding and removing ticks early can help lower the chance of disease transmission.

If you find a tick or have questions about prevention, speak with your veterinarian about the best protection plan for your pet.

05/20/2026

Think beyond the honey bee. World Bee Day is a chance to better understand the pollinators that support our ecosystems and food systems.
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In Alberta, honey bees (Apis mellifera) are non-native and managed as livestock for honey production and crop pollination. Native bees, including bumble bees (Bombus) and solitary species, are wild pollinators that play an important role in both natural landscapes and agriculture.
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Honey bees and native bees can share the landscape, but the balance depends on healthy habitat and diverse food sources. Both contribute to pollination, but native bees face greater pressures from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and limited forage.
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Pollinator health is closely linked to environmental health, biodiversity, and resilient food systems. Supporting a diversity of bee species helps keep these systems strong across Alberta.
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With the show and competition season getting underway, now is a good time to revisit strangles prevention and awareness....
05/11/2026

With the show and competition season getting underway, now is a good time to revisit strangles prevention and awareness.

Strangles is highly contagious and can spread quickly between horses, especially when travel and contact increase this time of year.

Simple steps such as isolating new or returning horses, practicing good hygiene with shared equipment, and monitoring for early signs, including fever, nasal discharge, or swollen lymph nodes, can help reduce the risk of spread.

Early detection and prompt action are key to protecting your horse and others in the barn. If you suspect Strangles, contact your veterinarian and limit your horse's movement until you receive guidance.

As Emergency Preparedness Week comes to a close, we remember the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires and the largest mandatory ...
05/08/2026

As Emergency Preparedness Week comes to a close, we remember the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires and the largest mandatory evacuation in Alberta’s history, which displaced more than 88,000 people.

During the evacuation, veterinarians, veterinary teams, animal welfare organizations, Animal Control Officers, Peace Officers, and volunteers worked together to help rescue and care for more than 1,100 animals left behind.

It remains a powerful reminder that emergency preparedness includes animals. If you care for animals, your emergency plan needs to move just as fast.

Have a plan before you need it:
- Plan evacuation routes and backup locations.
- Prepare transport options for animals in your care.
- Keep halters, carriers, and leads accessible.
- Maintain updated ID tags, microchips, and photos.
- Pack feed, water, medications, and records in advance.
- Keep emergency contacts easy to access.

Smoke exposure, stress, and delayed evacuation can quickly impact animal health and welfare. Early evacuation is always safer than waiting.

Planning ahead helps protect both people and animals when every minute counts.

Emergency planning looks different when livestock are involved.Large animals take time to move, require the right equipm...
05/06/2026

Emergency planning looks different when livestock are involved.

Large animals take time to move, require the right equipment, and need clear destinations before anything happens. In an emergency, those details can’t be figured out on the fly.

Whether it’s transport, shelter, or access routes, having a plan in place ahead of time helps reduce delays and keeps animals safer when conditions change quickly.

Take time now to review your setup and make sure livestock are included in your emergency plan.

Learn more: https://tr.ee/bhlTWJhJXD

Today, on Red Dress Day, we honour and remember the memories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spi...
05/05/2026

Today, on Red Dress Day, we honour and remember the memories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).

The ABVMA is committed to listening, learning, and supporting Truth and Reconciliation, and it recognizes the importance of creating safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces for Indigenous Peoples across Alberta.

Veterinary professionals dedicate so much of themselves to caring for animals and the people who love them. But that car...
05/04/2026

Veterinary professionals dedicate so much of themselves to caring for animals and the people who love them. But that care also depends on your own well-being.

As part of Mental Health Week, we’re reminding our members that support is available when you need it. Veterinarians and veterinary technologists—and their dependents—have access to the Greenshield+ Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), known as the Member Assistance Program, offering confidential support for personal and professional challenges.

There are also community-based supports through the Canadian Mental Health Association, including Stronger Communities training programs, as well as recovery-focused programs through Recovery Edmonton and Recovery Calgary. These initiatives help build understanding, resilience, and connection across communities.

Learn more about CMHA Stronger Communities programs and supports: https://edmonton.cmha.ca/brochure/stronger-communities/

Taking care of your mental health is part of sustaining a career in veterinary medicine. Support is here, and reaching out is always a valid step.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 (Su***de Crisis Helpline in Canada).

05/01/2026

Congratulations to NAIT Veterinary Technology first-year students on reaching this milestone!

As calving season is in full swing, it’s the perfect moment to focus on calf management and preparing cows for the upcom...
04/27/2026

As calving season is in full swing, it’s the perfect moment to focus on calf management and preparing cows for the upcoming breeding season.

Newborn calves need high-quality colostrum, ideally within the first 2–6 hours of life, to build immunity and reduce the risk of illness or mortality. By approximately 12 hours after birth, the ability to absorb antibodies drops off significantly. Providing timely colostrum is one of the most important steps you can take for a healthy herd.

Maintaining clean, dry calving areas helps minimize exposure to disease, and close monitoring during the first 24–48 hours allows for early detection of any issues such as weakness, poor nursing, scours, or respiratory concerns. Prompt intervention can make a significant difference in survival and long-term growth.

Support ongoing health with proper nutrition, navel care, and appropriate housing to minimize stress and disease risk. These early management practices have a direct impact on growth, weaning success, and herd productivity.

Work with your veterinarian to review colostrum strategies, vaccination plans, and herd health management.

Did you know veterinarians play a key role in food safety?This World Veterinary Day, we’re recognizing this year’s theme...
04/25/2026

Did you know veterinarians play a key role in food safety?

This World Veterinary Day, we’re recognizing this year’s theme: “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.” Veterinarians are part of the system that helps keep food safe long before it reaches your table. Through their work with livestock, herd health, disease prevention, and on-farm practices, they support both animal health and public health every day.

These photos highlight members of our Council/Committee and the work they do across Alberta. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but it plays an important role in maintaining safe, reliable food systems.

Thank you to our members, and to veterinary professionals everywhere, for the work you do to protect animals, food, and communities.

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300, 4803-87 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
T6E0V3

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Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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780-489-5007

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