April 18, 2025
For Immediate Release
Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Clarifies Misrepresentation in Recent Newscast
Atlanta, GA—The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) wishes to address inaccuracies presented in a recent TV newscast titled “We Just Don’t Know Exactly What It Is,” authored by Ellie Milliken.
The report inaccurately stated that GVMA has identified an unknown respiratory disease circulating among dogs in the region and implied that the GVMA tracks such cases.
GVMA would like to clarify that it does not identify or track respiratory diseases or any other diseases in animals.
The role of our association is to support veterinary professionals through educational resources, advocacy, and professional development. We provide general information regarding veterinary practices and public health concerns but do not engage in direct tracking or identification of diseases.
We recommend that any inquiries related to disease identification and tracking should be directed to the relevant public health authorities and veterinary research institutions actively conducting this research. Pet owners concerned about unusual symptoms in animals should consult with their local veterinarians.
GVMA Blog: Mystery Respiratory Illness in Dogs: What We Know – November 21, 2023
GVMA Blog: Client Education & Resources: Mystery Canine Respiratory Illness – November 21, 2023
GVMA remains committed to supporting the veterinary community and ensuring accurate and reliable information is disseminated to the public. We urge media outlets and authors to contact GVMA for clarification before making representations about our association.
About Our Organization: The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association is dedicated to advancing the veterinary profession and supporting the wellbeing of animals through advocacy, education, and collaboration within the veterinary community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Keri Riddick
Executive Director
Georgia Veterinary Medical Association
