AVMA offers aquatic DVM database

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. - 02/28/2006 - Free online searches for aquatic animal veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories are now available at AquaVets.com.

Created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other partners, the site can be searched by species type, disease, and location to find about 2,300 veterinarians and 110 diagnostic laboratories.

"The AVMA recognized that aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of agriculture," says AVMA President Dr. Henry E. Childers. "More than 47 percent of all animal protein consumed is seafood, one-third of which is farmed. Yet, no single source of information on how to locate aquatic veterinarians or diagnostic laboratories existed. This has left aquaculture producers, animal owners, government agencies and other veterinarians at a disadvantage."

AVMA, Aquaculture Underwriting and Management Services and Global VetLink developed the program as part of the National Risk Management Feasibility Program for Aquaculture. Federal Crop Insurance Corp. of the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency offered partial financial support, which was managed through Mississippi State University.