#AnimalHealth | AM 1180 Radio

June 15, 2026

Georgia Expands Animal Entry Rules After Screwworm Detection In U.S.

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalEntryRequirements, #AnimalHealth, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #Livestock, #NewMexico, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #Texas, #VeterinaryInspection, #wzqznews 0

Georgia agriculture officials have expanded animal entry requirements following the detection of New World screwworm in the United States, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country decades ago.

June 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

FDA Authorizes Emergency Treatment for Flesh-Eating Screwworm in Pets

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #AnimalCare, #AnimalHealth, #Cats, #CattleIndustry, #Dogs, #EmergencyUseAuthorization, #FDA, #Livestock, #NationalNews, #NewMexico, #NewWorldScrewworm, #PetHealth, #PetOwners, #PublicHealth, #Screwworm, #Texas, #USDA, #VeterinaryMedicine, #wzqznews 0

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for nitenpyram, a medication used to treat New World screwworm infestations in dogs and cats. The action marks the first approval of a generic animal drug specifically authorized for use against the flesh-eating parasite.

June 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Heat Safety Important for Pets and Livestock Across Northwest Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalHealth, #chattoogacounty, #FarmAnimals, #FarmLife, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #HeatSafety, #HeatStress, #HotWeather, #LivestockCare, #northwestgeorgia, #PetOwners, #PetSafety, #SummerHeat, #WeatherAwareness, #wzqznews 0

With temperatures climbing into the 90s and heat index values approaching 100 degrees across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, animal owners are being reminded to take extra precautions to protect pets and livestock from dangerous heat-related illnesses.

June 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Producers Urged to Review USDA Screwworm Resources After Confirmed U.S. Case

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalHealth, #APHIS, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #LivestockHealth, #LivestockProducers, #NCBA, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #USDA, #wzqznews 0

Livestock producers are being urged to stay alert following the recent confirmation of a New World screwworm case in the United States.

The USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. The CDC says no locally acquired human infestations have been reported in the United States, but the outbreak has been moving northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023, affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, and people.

New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest wounds in warm-blooded animals. Because of the potential risk to livestock and agriculture, the USDA has released preparedness resources for producers, including current status updates, a U.S. response plan, fact sheets, field identification guides, and additional response materials.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it also plans to release simplified resources in the coming weeks to help producers better understand the USDA response playbook.

Producers are encouraged to review USDA materials and monitor livestock closely for suspicious wounds or signs of infestation.

May 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Animal Shelter Temporarily Closes After Canine Distemper Case

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalHealth, #AnimalServices, #AnimalShelter, #CanineDistemper, #CDV, #ChickamaugaGA, #CommunityNews, #DogHealth, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #LaFayetteGA, #LookoutMountainGA, #northwestgeorgia, #northwestgeorgianews, #PetHealth, #PetVaccinations, #PublicHealth, #PuppyHealth, #ResponsiblePetOwnership, #RossvilleGA, #ShelterClosure, #ShelterPets, #VeterinaryCare, #WalkerCountyAnimalShelter, #WalkerCountyGA, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

The Walker County Animal Shelter will be closed for at least 30 days after a litter of surrendered puppies tested positive for canine distemper virus.

May 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Asian Longhorned Tick Confirmed in Georgia and Alabama

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AlabamaAgriculture, #AlabamaAnimalHealth, #AnimalHealth, #AsianLonghornedTick, #CattleHealth, #chattoogacounty, #DeKalbCountyAL, #ExtensionService, #Farmers, #FarmNews, #floydcountyga, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #HabershamCountyGA, #HallCountyGA, #LivestockHealth, #LivestockOwners, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorSafety, #PetOwners, #PickensCountyGA, #PublicHealth, #Theileriosis, #TickAlert, #TickPrevention, #TickSafety, #VeterinaryCare, #WhiteCountyGA, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

Agriculture and animal health officials in Georgia and Alabama are urging livestock owners, pet owners, and outdoor enthusiasts to be on alert after the Asian Longhorned Tick was confirmed in multiple counties across the region.

April 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Free Pet Vaccine & Microchip Clinic Set for Friday in Summerville

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalHealth, #ChattoogaAnimalShelter, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityEvent, #DogsAndCats, #FreeVaccines, #HumaneSociety, #Microchipping, #northwestgeorgia, #PetCare, #PetSafety, #summervillega, #WednesdayApril292026, #wzqznews 0

Pet owners in Chattooga County will have a chance to take advantage of free services for their animals this Friday during a vaccine and microchipping clinic in Summerville.

The event will take place tomorrow, May 1st from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tractor Supply on Highway 27. Organizers say the clinic is open to the public on a first come, first served basis, and services will be available while supplies last.

Dogs and cats can receive rabies vaccinations, along with DHPP vaccines for dogs and FVRCP vaccines for cats. Microchipping services will also be offered at no cost.

The clinic is being hosted in partnership with the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia and the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.

Officials say this is a great opportunity for residents to ensure their pets are protected and up to date on essential care, especially with warmer months ahead.

Pet owners are encouraged to arrive early due to expected demand.

April 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Rabies Clinic Scheduled

Community Calandar, Community Calendar, Local News, Local News Items #AnimalHealth, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityEvent, #LocalEvents, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #PetCare, #PetVaccinations, #PublicHealth, #RabiesClinic, #summervillega, #trionga, #VeterinaryClinic, #wzqznews 0

Summerville Veterinary Clinic will host a rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, May 16, at Chattooga High School.

The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the school’s parking lot. Pet owners are asked to enter from the Highway 100 entrance and follow posted signs and arrows.

Rabies vaccinations will be available for $10 each. The clinic will be conducted as a drive-through service, with pets remaining inside vehicles while vaccinations are administered.

Organizers say the event offers a convenient and affordable way for residents to keep their pets up to date on rabies vaccinations.

April 6, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

USDA To Drop Oral Rabies Vaccine Baits Across Chattooga County Region

Local News, Local News Items #AerialBaitDrop, #AnimalHealth, #BartowCounty, #CatoosaCounty, #chattoogacounty, #chattooganews, #CommunityAwareness, #DadeCounty, #FloydCounty, #georgianews, #GordonCounty, #HealthAlert, #LowFlyingAircraft, #northwestgeorgia, #NWGANews, #OralRabiesVaccine, #PetSafety, #PublicHealth, #RabiesPrevention, #RabiesVaccine, #RaccoonRabies, #Raccoons, #USDA, #WalkerCounty, #WhitfieldCounty, #WildlifeManagement, #WildlifeServices, #wzqznews 0

Low-flying aircraft will be seen across Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture begins distributing oral rabies vaccine baits to help prevent the spread of raccoon rabies. The baiting effort is scheduled to take place from April 7 through April 15 as part of a larger cooperative program involving USDA Wildlife Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and other agencies.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Declared Free Of Bird Flu, But Officials Urge Continued Vigilance

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalHealth, #AvianInfluenza, #Biosecurity, #BirdFlu, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GeorgiaPoultry, #northwestgeorgia, #PoultryIndustry, #TylerHarper, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Georgia Department of Agriculture says the state has officially been declared free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, though officials stress that poultry growers and flock owners still need to stay on guard. Georgia regained its HPAI-free status as of March 13, allowing the state to resume exports and international trade of poultry products.