Engaging veterinarians and farmers in eradicating bovine viral diarrhoea: a systematic review of economic impact
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a significant drain on efficient and successful cattle production in both dairy and beef systems around the world. Several countries have achieved eradication of this disease, but always through the motivation of stakeholders who accept the benefits of eradication. These include increased cattle welfare and fitness of cattle to withstand other diseases, and decreased costs of production, the latter resulting from both decreased costs spent on managing the disease and decreased losses. This paper provides a systematic review of 31 papers, published between 1991 and 2015, that address the econ...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Yarnall, M. J., Thrusfield, M. V. Tags: Open access Paper Source Type: research
Three cases of imported eyeworm infection in dogs: a new threat for the United Kingdom
In July 2016 we described the first known case of canine ocular thelaziosis in the UK in a dog recently imported from Romania. Here we confirm our initial diagnosis using PCR followed by sequence analysis, and we report a further two clinical cases in dogs with recent history of travel to Italy and France. In view of the presence in the UK of the vector for Thelazia callipaeda, namely Phortica spp, we discuss the significance of these three cases in the context of the UK government’s pet travel scheme, disease control and both animal and public health in the UK. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Graham-Brown, J., Gilmore, P., Colella, V., Moss, L., Dixon, C., Andrews, M., Arbeid, P., Barber, J., Timofte, D., McGarry, J., Otranto, D., Williams, D. Tags: Open access Paper Source Type: research
Thelazia callipaeda: vigilance is the best course of action
Thelazia callipaeda is a parasitic nematode inhabiting the conjunctival sac (often under the lids and/or the nictitating membrane) of dogs, cats, rabbits and wildlife, causing ocular signs and lesions that vary from mild conjunctivitis to corneal opacity and ulceration.1,2 It is a parasite of zoonotic importance and although most of the cases reported in people are in Asian countries (oriental eyeworm),3 some cases of human thelaziosis have been recorded in Europe since 2005.4–7 In Europe, T callipaeda is transmitted by the drosophilid fly, Phortica variegata, a fruit fly that feeds not only on plant juices, but also...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Diakou, A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Role of Schmallenberg virus infection in congenital malformations in ruminants in Scotland in spring 2017
This article reports findings relating to diagnoses of fetopathy associated with SBV infection and other congenital malformations in these species made between January 1 and May 5, 2017. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Brülisauer, F., Scholes, S., Caldow, G. L., Rocchi, M., Dagleish, M. P., Chianini, F. Tags: Surveillance Source Type: research
News in brief
Collaborative working between vets and vet nurses The BVA and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) have announced a new strategic alliance. Both organisations signed a memorandum of understanding at BVA Members’ Day in Belfast last week. The aim is to build on the existing relations between the two organisations and cement collaborative working. The two associations have agreed to identify opportunities to work together to represent the views of vets and veterinary nurses to the media, policymakers and general public and to raise the profile of the veterinary professions and the wider veterinary team. Th...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News in brief Source Type: research
Antimicrobial resistance update: LA-MRSA
Livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is no longer considered to be a novel finding in the UK, but while the number of isolates identified remains low, knowledge of additional findings may be of interest to those who work with livestock. Further information and guidance on LA-MRSA for those who work with livestock is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/la-mrsa-information-for-people-who-work-with-livestock. The UK government has a network of veterinary laboratories that carry out postmortem examinations for the purpose of diagnostic investigation. LA-MRSA was first identifi...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
'Dramatic breed predispositions found for urinary incontinence in bitches
Urinary incontinence (UI) affects over 15 per cent of bitches in some high-risk breeds, a study has found. Breeds such as the Irish setter, dobermann, bearded collie, rough collie and dalmatian are all highly predisposed to the condition. The findings, which were collated by the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass project, found an overall prevalence in bitches of 3 per cent. It also found that overweight, older and neutered bitches were more likely to get the condition. The study was based on a population of 100,397 bitches attending 119 veterinary clinics across England. The key findings were: UI affects 3.14 per...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Feline playful: personality traits of the cat discovered
A mixture of five behavioural traits make up a cat’s personality, according to a recent study carried out in Australia and New Zealand. The ‘feline five’ are: Impulsiveness (erratic and reckless behaviour); Dominance (bullying, jealousy, aggression toward other cats); Agreeableness (affection, gentleness, friendliness toward people); Extraversion (vigilance, inquisitiveness, inventiveness, playfulness); Neuroticism (insecurity, anxiety, fear of people, suspicion, shyness). In the study, almost 3000 cat owners were asked to rank 52 different traits that make up their cat’s personality – such as...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Shaping the future
Last week BVA members gathered in Belfast to hear about their organisation’s future plans, welcome new officers and celebrate excellence in the profession (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Public sector vets concerned about rabies threat to western Europe
The prospect of rabies re-entering western Europe is a distinct possibility, according to a poll of public sector vets. Of the 44 vets who participated in a poll at last week’s Official Veterinarian conference in Swindon, some 56 per cent thought there was either a high (42 per cent), or very high (14 per cent) chance of rabies re-entering the region. A further 27 per cent classed the threat as medium, 15 per cent as low and only 2 per cent thought the risk was negligible. Currently western Europe is considered a ‘no risk area’ for rabies by Public Health England. Several eastern European countries, howev...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
ViVet - fostering veterinary innovation
The new ViVet programme aims to put veterinary professionals at the forefront of veterinary innovation, helping them to embrace change and not be sidelined by it.
A new website, www.vivet.org.uk, features a video explaining the ViVet programme. It also offers a range of resources, blogs and case studies, showcasing new technologies and innovative business models.
A biennial innovation symposium and other events will be organised under the ViVet programme.
The RCVS hopes that the programme will help it gain insights into the animal health market and how it is evolving. This, it says, will allow it to develop a regulatory en...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Responding to the challenge of change
The next decade will bring greater change to veterinary practice than the last 50 years combined. That was the message from Adam Little, vet and entrepreneur, to an invited audience of vets, entrepreneurs and students attending the inaugural RCVS Innovation Symposium at the Shard in London last week. He said many changes to technologies and business models would be driven by consumer demand and expectations. Customers increasingly expect more robust, connected experiences, he said. Technology would unlock new models of service delivery to match their demand, such as on-demand models, virtual veterinary services and mobile ...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Bovine TB still rising in England
The prevalence and incidence of bovine TB have increased in England over the past year, according to figures from Defra. The latest quarterly TB statistics, published on September 20, show that 6 per cent of herds were under disease restrictions in England at the end of June 2017. At the end of June 2016, the number was 5.7 per cent. Herd incidence – the rate of new herd incidents per 100 herd years at risk – stood at 10.7 at the end of June this year, compared with 10.1 in June 2016. In contrast, in Wales, disease prevalence and incidence have declined over the past year, with 5.1 per cent of herds under restr...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
TB control measures stepped up in NI
New cattle-based measures to tackle bovine TB in Northern Ireland have been announced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The measures will start to take effect in the coming weeks. They follow a recent increase in disease incidence and are intended to strengthen DAERA’s bovine TB eradication programme. These are: Further use of the severe interpretation of skin tests in breakdown herds. Introduction of a further herd test for recently derestricted breakdown herds that are considered higher risk. A quality assurance pilot trial to establish baseline data on bovine TB skin test rea...
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Medicines update
The following information has been produced for Veterinary Record by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to provide an update for veterinary surgeons on recent changes to marketing authorisations for veterinary medicines in the UK. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - September 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
