Veterinary Health Division
There are changes in the health certification regulations for livestock shows for 2009-2010. Click 2009-2010 Guidelines For Showing Livestock in Louisiana
The Veterinary Health Division is responsible for the prevention, control and eradication of diseases in livestock and poultry. The Louisiana state veterinarian, working with other LDAF state regulatory veterinarians, animal health technicians and laboratory personnel, work daily to ensure that Louisiana has healthy animals.
Major emphasis is devoted to the control and eradication of brucellosis in cattle, tuberculosis in all warm blooded species, equine infectious anemia in horses and pseudorabies in swine. Ongoing surveillance is also maintained to detect endemic and exotic diseases in Louisiana.
Major components of the overall disease control program are to improve and expand the diagnostic service programs. The Poultry Diagnostic Laboratory in Homer, LA, tests birds on a regular basis for the poultry industry as well as performing other diagnostic studies. This division is also responsible for the licensing and supervision of livestock dealers and the chartering and supervision of auction markets.
The Veterinary Health Division sees that all auction market services are in compliance with all laws and regulations pertaining to animal health and offers protection to consumers using auction market services.
Since the passage of Louisiana Act 615, this division has been actively been working with other agencies and volunteer groups to fine tune our animal evacuation and sheltering plans in case of a natural or man made disaster.