Are you planning to travel with a pet? The state livestock board and agriculture department are encouraging pet owners to have their animal inspected for a screwworm infestation before leaving Otero County.
Following the discovery of several new screwworm infestations, the entirety of Otero and Doña Ana Counties are now classified as screwworm infested zones by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA).
To move livestock outside the zone, animals must be inspected by an accredited animal health expert and be issued a livestock board movement certificate, a spokesperson from the NMDA confirmed. The certificate is valid for five days after it is issued.
While pets are not subject to the same restrictions as livestock legally, NMDA Public Affairs Director Candie Sweetser said the state is encouraging pet owners to take their pet to a veterinarian before traveling outside of the infested zone.
“Companion animals do not fall under the New Mexico Livestock Board,” she said. “They, nor the NMDA, have jurisdiction over companion animals. ‘Strongly encourage’ is our new phrase. We strongly encourage veterinary inspection of companion animals.”
Pet movement out of the infected zone would include, for example, driving with a dog from Alamogordo to Santa Fe.
Initially, after the first Otero County screwworm was found, the infested zone only covered a 12.4 mile-zone around the infected animal, the Alamogordo News previously reported. The zone expanded on Nov. 2 after several more screwworm infestations were identified, according to an NMDA press release.
The purpose of the restrictions was to slow the spread of the parasite, New Mexico Department of agriculture spokeswoman Jennifer Green said.
Livestock board veterinarian Samantha Holek said during a meeting with ranchers in Pinon on Oct. 23 that, ideally, people should have their pets inspected by a veterinarian before traveling with it outside of the infested zone to protect the animals in the region they are traveling to.
Traveling to Colorado
Movement with pets to one bordering state may prove difficult.
To enter Colorado, those traveling with pets from all of New Mexico, not just the infected zone, must present a movement certificate and submit a certificate of companion inspection to the Colorado State Veterinarian, according to rules adopted yesterday by the Colorado Department of Agriculture on June 10.
Further, “all animals arriving in Colorado from an NWS Infested zone, after meeting the requirements above, must be inspected upon arrival at the destination premises,” the state regulations read.
Any violation of these rules may result in referral to the state or county attorneys general.
“The Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture finds that immediate adoption of these rules is imperatively necessary to protect Colorado’s livestock industry, and for preservation of public health, safety or welfare,” the regulations state.
Screwworms are aggressive parasites whose larvae feed on living animal tissue, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If left untreated, a screwworm infestation can kill a cow within a week or two, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Preventing the spread of screwworm among New Mexico livestock is a major priority for the USDA and NMDA
With infections rising, The Ruidoso Animal Clinic offered advice to pet owners on their Facebook page:
“1. Inspect regularly: Check your dogs and cats daily for any minor cuts, scratches, or tick bites.
2. Treat wounds immediately: Clean, disinfect, and protect even minor scratches promptly to keep flies away.
3. Keep your pets on a high quality flea/tick medication.”
If any signs of screwworm are detected, the NMDA advises the owner to contact the New Mexico Livestock Board (505-841-6161) and not to move the animal.
