Veterinary Handbook for the Live Export Industry mobile app development

Summary

Extension is a critical component of improving the accessibility, utilisation and uptake of research and development (R&D) outcomes to support continuous innovation, improvement and growth within the industry. The Livestock Export Program (LEP) has developed a range of materials and resources (animal handling and welfare handbooks) that would benefit from additional extension activities. Many of these resources are applicable throughout the livestock export supply chain, with broader relevance to domestic and international livestock industries.

There is currently a gap in the availability of electronic veterinary animal health information.  At present, free to low cost animal / veterinary apps are limited to small companion animals and equine health, with little to no information available for livestock species. Free to low cost apps have also typically been developed by animal health companies to promote their products. Therefore, the "Veterinary Handbook for the Live Export Industry would be a useful resource to fill the gap of electronically available veterinary information.

The Veterinary Handbook app and website includes information on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of associated syndromes and diseases in cattle, sheep and goats. The planned update to the app has occurred in two phases. The first, will see a significant update of the content of the handbook and the second phase will introduce a suite of photos to help identify syndromes and diseases. The initial update is expected to go-live by mid-2017. The Veterinary Handbook app can be downloaded at the iTunes, Google Play and Blackberry app stores and accessed online at: veterinaryhandbook.com.au