These are among recommendations made by the Veterinary Development Council (VDC) in a report published last week, with a view to guiding the long-term development of food-animal veterinary services.
The VDC was established in January 2011 following a recommendation in the 2009 Lowe report, ‘Unlocking potential – a report on veterinary expertise in food production’ (VR, August 15, 2009, vol 165, pp 185, Assess the market for veterinary services in the food supply chain now and in the foreseeable future, in particular, to determine the animal health, animal welfare...]]>
The ISELP was formed in the USA five years ago and aims to educate equine veterinary surgeons around the world on the latest techniques in the evaluation and diagnosis of disease causing lameness and poor performance in horses. It began holding courses in Europe two years ago.
The UK course, which was described as ‘one of the more unusual events’ to be held at the Kent Event Centre in Detling near Maidstone, was organised by the Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic. It took place over three days, with two days being hosted at the event centre and the third by the veterinary clinic at its premises in Mereworth. Those attending were able to participate in practical hands-on ultrasound sessions using a horse...]]>
Defra's intention to strengthen the controls on cattle was announced in July last year, as part of a package of measures to tackle bovine TB (VR, July 23, 2011, vol 169, p 85). The changes that will come into force on July 1 this year include: Removing the exemption allowing cattle held on a farm for less than 30 days to be moved without being tested, in order to reduce the risk of untested cattle spreading bovine TB when they are moved between different holdings; Removing the premovement testing exemption for movements within ‘Sole Occupancy Authorities’ that have holdings in high- and low-risk TB areas; Premovement testing for cattle moved from higher TB risk herds to agricultural...]]>
The Domestic Abuse Veterinary Initiative (DAVI) follows the success of a similar initiative involving dentists, and is based on research and clinical evidence which suggest that there are links between the abuse of children, vulnerable adults and animals. Those behind the initiative say that, because of the vet-client relationship, members of the veterinary team are in an ideal position to notice changes in someone's appearance or behaviour and that, by expressing concern, vets could give an abused client the confidence to seek help.
MAV has produced a practice note and a waiting room poster, which are available on request. The poster poses the question, ‘Are you and your pet sharing a secret?’. The practice note sets out four simple steps...]]>
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has announced that it is to introduce an ID card and online exam for veterinarians working at FEI events. The new system comes into force on June 1 and requires competitors' private veterinarians, team veterinarians and treating veterinarians appointed by organising committees to pass the online exam, which is based on the relevant FEI regulations affecting vets who support horses competing at FEI events. Veterinarians who wish to work at such events must apply for access to the exam through their national federation and fulfil the FEI eligibility requirements. Existing FEI official veterinarians are currently exempt from the exam requirement. Further information can be found at www.fei.org/veterinary/press-releases/fei-introduces-id-cards-all-veterinarians-events
Gail Williams has been appointed as head of education and training for the newly formed Association for the Scientific Study of Veterinary and...]]>
Outstanding contributions to small animal medicine and surgery were recognised at the BSAVA's annual awards ceremony, which was held on April 12 during the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA congress in Birmingham
]]>Over 400 entries were received for the 2012 PetSavers digital photography competition, which had the theme ‘Best buddies’. The winning images in the adult (16+) and junior (under 16) categories are reproduced here. (left) ‘Wash behind the ears!’ by Adam Phillips of Cardiff, which won in the adult category. (below) ‘Dog whisper’ by Samuel Hood, aged 14, of Newcastle upon Tyne, winner in the junior category. All the winning images were exhibited at the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA Congress and can be viewed on the PetSavers website at www.petsavers.org.uk
Negotiations with the RSPCA on contributions to the costs of initial emergency treatment Working with the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England Recommendations of the Veterinary Development Council Role of the RCVS
These were among matters discussed by the BVA Council at its meeting on April 4. The BVA President, Carl Padgett, chaired the meeting, which was held at the BVA's headquarters in Mansfield Street, London
]]>FOLLOWING a great deal of consideration, revision and consultation with the profession and the public, and having been agreed by the RCVS Council at its meeting in March (VR, March 24, 2012, vol 170, p 304), the Codes of Professional Conduct for veterinary surgeons and for veterinary nurses (VNs) have now been launched. Vets and VNs who visited the RCVS stand at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) congress in April were among the first to see the final versions of the new Codes – which will shortly be winging their way through the post to all veterinary surgeons and registered VNs (RVNs). These are also online at...]]>
The first animal welfare charity was founded in London in 1824 (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), with the first animal rescue centre, Battersea Dogs Home, becoming established in 1860 and the first cat rescue organisation, Cats Protection League, being founded in 1927. These and subsequent welfare organisations have been responsible for...]]>
It is not known how many cats and dogs are admitted to welfare organisations annually. This study produced the first estimates of the size of this population. A questionnaire was mailed out to welfare organisations during 2010, followed by a postal/email reminder and requests to non-responders for a telephone interview. The questionnaire covered areas including, the current number of cats and dogs being housed, how much of the year organisations were operating at full capacity as well as the number of cats and dogs admitted, rehomed and euthanased between January and December 2009. Responses were obtained from 54.8 per cent of organisations. Sixty-six per cent of cat welfare organisations and 48 per cent of dog welfare organisations reported that they operated at full capacity for 12 months of the year. The number of cats and dogs entering UK welfare organisations during 2009 was estimated as 131,070 and 129,743, respectively. This highlights the scale of the work performed by welfare organisations in caring for and rehoming unwanted cats and dogs annually and emphasises the urgent need to address concerns over the considerable number of these animals. This study has also produced useful baseline data, which will be essential for monitoring population changes over time.
]]>The aim of this work was to study the effect of keel fractures on the extent to which free-range hens access the range through pop holes. Over two consecutive laying periods (two production years) a total of 1100 individual birds from one half of a house, divided into four separated flocks, were caught at 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 weeks, palpated to assess the prevalence and severity of keel fractures and tagged with RFID transponders. Their use of pop holes was subsequently monitored in some cases from week 25 to end of lay at 68 to 70 weeks. At regular intervals (every 10 weeks), the tagged birds were re-caught to assess changes in keel fracture prevalence and severity. The average percentage of birds with fractured keels at 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 and at end of lay (68 to 70 weeks of age) was 5.5, 25.5, 49, 63, 66.5 and 78.5, respectively, across both production years. The effect of keel score on pop hole use was modelled statistically, adjusting for weather conditions and age of the birds. There were significant effects of most of the weather variables recorded, as well as age of the bird, on use of pop holes and also a significant effect of keel score. Higher keel scores resulted in a reduction in pop hole use. A significant statistical interaction between keel score and ambient temperature revealed an accelerated reduction in use as the temperature decreased and keel score increased. It is concluded that the occurrence of keel fractures may affect the birds' ability or willingness to utilise the outdoor range provided by free-range housing systems, thereby reducing the potential welfare advantages of this type of housing.
]]>Fairs and petting zoos have been associated with outbreaks of zoonotic disease. Previously, the presence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was documented in commercial pigs; therefore, it was hypothesised that antibiotic-resistant S aureus may also occur in pigs exhibited at agricultural fairs. To test this hypothesis, 157 pigs were swabbed at two state fairs in 2008 to 2009. Both nares were sampled and cultures were grown in enrichment broth, then plated onto selective MRSA plates and blood plates. S aureus was confirmed using phenotypic and molecular methods, and was analysed using spa typing, gene-specific polymerase chain reaction and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The presence of S aureus was confirmed in samples collected from pigs exhibited at USA pig shows. Twenty-five of 157 (15.9 per cent) samples were positive for S aureus. Two isolates (8 per cent) were resistant to meticillin; 23/25 (92 per cent), 14/25 (56 per cent) and 15/25 (60 per cent) were resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. spa typing revealed multiple isolates of spa type t034 (9/25, 36 per cent) and t337 (7/25, 28 per cent) and singletons of t002, t209, t526, t1236, t1334, t1683, t3075, t5784 and t5883. These results verify the presence of antibiotic-resistant S aureus in pigs exhibited at USA fairs, suggesting that pigs are a potential reservoir for S aureus within this environment.
]]>Clinicopathological peculiarities of greyhounds have been extensively studied over the last decade. These haematological, haemostatic and biochemical idiosyncrasies have been recently reviewed (Zaldivar-Lopez and others 2011). Despite the similarities between GEs and greyhounds, there are selected phenotypical and physiological differences between them. For example, while greyhounds have a very low frequency of dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 on the surface of the red blood cells (<15 per cent) (
In 2009, the authors reported that greyhounds have lower serum haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations than non-greyhound dogs; Hp was measured by colorimetric and immunoturbidimetric methods, and confirmed through electrophoresis (
The study included two heifers and two bulls of...]]>
L. Howe, M. G. Collett, R. S. Pattison, J. Marshall, D. M. West, W. E. Pomroy
INFECTION of sheep with the intracellular parasite Neospora caninum has been reported in many countries and been shown to cause deaths of neonatal lambs and congenital infections but, unlike in cattle, is not generally considered to be a significant cause of ovine abortion. This study investigated the potential role of N caninum in reproductive failures in sheep in New Zealand.
Serum or blood samples were collected from ewes on 35 farms under investigation because of abortions of an unexplained cause, especially among primiparous ewes. The samples came from ewes that were aborting or had aborted and those that were pregnant. Samples of fetal or placental tissue were also submitted from 31 of these farms. For comparison, serum and blood samples from 10 control farms, which...]]>
President: Mr C. Padgett
Past-President: Mr P. H. Locke
President-Elect: Mr P. G. Harlech Jones
7 Mansfield Street,
London W1G 9NQ
Telephone 020 7636 6541
Fax 020 7908 6349
e-mail: bvahq@bva.co.uk
The BVA officer team's activities in the week ending May 6 included the following: The past-president was on a panel of speakers taking questions from the public at a Westminster Parliamentary Outreach Service event on dog control held in Liverpool. The President attended an AHVLA meeting in Worcester with the BVA's Veterinary Policy Group chairman and representatives of the British Cattle Veterinary Association to discuss veterinary surveillance, TB testing and procurement of veterinary services. The past-president attended a practice standards scheme training session at the RCVS. The president-elect chaired a...]]>
A buffet will be available from 18.30, before the question session at 19.15. Questions are welcome on any issue; topics discussed at similar recent meetings have included veterinary legislation, the regulation of veterinary nurses and the new Codes of Professional Conduct.
All veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are welcome to attend. Places should be reserved by contacting Fiona Harcourt at the RCVS, telephone 020 7202 0773, e-mail: f.harcourt@rcvs.org.uk
The RCVS will also hold Practice Standards Scheme ‘surgeries’ at the same venue on the same day, between 13.00 and 17.00. These are 45-minute sessions to provide advice about the scheme, and...]]>
We are indeed fortunate in having a president who keeps his ear to the ground to ascertain the views of the profession, and is prepared to put pen to paper to allay their concern, to set out the action taken by the College, and to apologise for what has happened. Thank you Dr Davies.
]]>While the article mainly discusses the vets' duties in abattoirs in ante- and postmortem inspection, it also recognises their contribution to animal health surveillance and animal welfare. For example, in Great Britain Official Veterinarians (OVs) are employed or contracted to work in abattoirs by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
In addition to ante- and postmortem inspection, and supervision of hygiene in abattoirs, OVs perform/supervise other tasks, including animal welfare, collection of appropriate samples for testing for foodborne diseases (TB, BSE, etc), animal identification checks,...]]>