Department of Agriculture
Julius Johnson, Commissioner

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture works to ensure a healthy, growing animal industry. TDA partners with state and federal regulators, private veterinarians and livestock industries with programs aimed at preventing, controlling and eradicating certain infectious or communicable diseases of livestock and other domestic animals. Activities include administering eradication programs for brucellosis, tuberculosis, scrapie and pseudorabies, along with the control program for equine infectious anemia. TDA also enforces the laws and rules regulating interstate and intrastate movement of animals.

NEW FEATURE: TENNESSEE IMPORT REQUIREMENTS ARE ONLINE HERE.

Equine Pigeon Fever - According to Dr. Scott Reed, director of Kord Diagnostic Laboratory, there has been an increased incidence of Equine Pigeon Fever reported by labs in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Equine Pigeon Fever is the common term for an infection caused by bacterial organism, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It is characterized by abcesses which cause swelling and give the horse’s chest a “pigeon-breast appearance. The condition is not related to or caused by pigeons. Hot, dry weather is the most common environment where the organism is found and most cases appear in late summer/early fall. Horses contract the disease through open wounds, fly bites, and mucous membranes. Contact your veterinarian if you notice a swelling of the chest or abdomen in your horse. For more information on this disease, you can visit the following link: midsouthhorsereview.com/news.php?id=4701

Trichomoniasis Alert - The State Veterinarian has issued requirements effective immediately for transportation of bulls into Tennessee to prevent the spread of Trichomoniasis. List of Approved Trichomoniasis Veterinarians.

Coggins Test Now Valid for Twelve Months - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture recently established rules allowing Coggins test results to remain valid for 12 months. The Coggins test checks horses for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). Requirements for Change of Ownership.

The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) - The VMLRP will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA designated veterinarian shortage situation for a period of three years. For further information, visit http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/animals/in_focus/an_health_if_vmlrp.html or contact Dr. Sara Clariday at the State Veterinarian's Office at Sara.Clariday@tn.gov or (615) 837-5120.

Companion Animal Parasite Council - The mission of CAPC is to foster animal and human health, while preserving the human-animal bond, through recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of parasitic infections. http://www.capcvet.org.

NOTE: The Dog and Cat Dealer Licensing Program and Animal Friendly Tag Grant Program have been transferred to the Tennessee Department of Health. To inquire, call toll free 1-877-403-7350 or local to Nashville at 615-532-7350.

Order for Cervidae: "Tennessee Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program (HCP)"

Order for Bulls: "Trichomoniasis Requirements"

Order for Wild-Appearing Swine: "Transportation of Wild-Appearing Swine Within Tennessee"

Identification: "Approved Forms of Identification"