Targeted control measures to reduce bovine TB 'are working' in Wales
THE incidence of bovine TB in the Intensive Action Area (IAA) in Wales has fallen by 35 per cent over the course of six years, according to figures released by the Welsh Government last week. The incidence in a nearby comparison area fell by 23 per cent over the same period. The IAA was established in 2010 and is situated in north Pembrokeshire, an area that had one of the highest incidence rates of bovine TB in Wales. A targeted programme of measures to tackle all sources of bovine TB, in both domestic and wild animal species, has been applied in the area since May 2010. The measures include stricter cattle controls, impr...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Employers views sought on the competencies of new graduates
THE Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) has launched a combined national employer survey to analyse the competencies of new graduates from every UK veterinary school, as well as those from University College Dublin and Utrecht University. Previously, individual schools issued their own surveys, but this new combined survey will provide not only an analysis of graduates from each individual school, but an analysis of the graduates as a whole. The 15-minute survey has been informed by the day 1 competencies, as defined by the RCVS and the Veterinary Council of Ireland, and by the new 'domains of competence’ being develope...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Charities call for the next government to protect companion animals
‘Don't forget about the animals’ is the call from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to the next UK government. Launching a 10-point manifesto last week, the charity set out the most pressing welfare issues affecting dogs and cats. It is calling for tougher sentencing for animal cruelty, the tightening of regulations around the breeding and sale of dogs, and a new pet passports scheme ahead of the UK leaving the EU. Claire Horton, Battersea's chief executive, commented: ‘We know how much the public cares about these issues – prior to the 2015 General Election a YouGov poll showed that around one in six ...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Workforce issues and animal welfare high on agenda in agricultural manifestos
CALLS for clarity around the status of non-UK EU workers also feature in the manifestos of agricultural organisations. As with the veterinary workforce, access to EU workers is vitally important to the agricultural industry. In its manifesto, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) raises concern about the competitiveness of the UK's food supply chain if restrictions are placed on labour after Brexit. It calls for the next government to urgently clarify the rules around EU migrants following the end of free movement. Likewise, the National Pig Association (NPA) is calling for a balanced immigration policy that ensures the pig in...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Who will get your vote next week?
How do the political parties compare on Brexit and animal welfare issues? (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Pets at risk as vaccinations decline
MILLIONS of pets in the UK could be at risk from deadly diseases as figures from the PDSA show that the number of owners vaccinating their pets has declined steeply. The findings, which come from the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report, show that 25 per cent of dogs, 35 per cent of cats and 50 per cent of rabbits have not had a primary vaccination course. The charity describes the figures as ‘troubling’ – they are the lowest levels recorded since the PAW report was first published in 2011 and show a significant decrease from 2016 (when 12 per cent of dogs, 18 per cent of cats and 37 per cent of rabb...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
News section
(Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Brexit and funding for UK R&D
THIS time last year, the UK's electorate was gearing up to vote in a referendum to decide on the country's future in the European Union. This week, the electorate is gearing up to vote again, this time to decide on the government it wants to lead Brexit negotiations. Among those who will be following those negotiations closely will be members of the UK's research, development and innovation sector, including the veterinary research community. The EU currently has a total estimated budget of 120 billion available to support research and innovation activities up until 2020 and, in recent years, the UK has been one of the mos...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Clark, K. Tags: Comment Source Type: research
My week: Greta Manfrin
Greta Manfrin joined Vets Now through its Cutting Edge programme. Here, she describes a recent working week as the principal vet at an out-of-hours pet emergency clinic in Gillingham, Kent. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Manfrin, G. Tags: Vet Record Careers Source Type: research
How I found my career
Kenny Hall was unaware of the veterinary nursing profession until his vet student girlfriend suggested it would be the perfect career for him. As a male nurse he got used to being a ‘rarity’ and now encourages other men to consider veterinary nursing as a great career choice (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Hall, K. Tags: Veterinary nurses Vet Record Careers Source Type: research
Ceva extends companion animal dermatology range with the launch of Dermipred
Ceva Animal Health has added Dermipred, containing the active ingredient prednisolone, to its range of dermatology products. Dermipred is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of, or as adjunct treatment for, inflammatory and immune-mediated dermatitis in dogs The product is presented as 10 mg or 20 mg flavoured tablets which can be divided into two or four equal parts; this, the company says, offers accurate and flexible dosing for a wide range of dog sizes. The tablets are blister-packed for easy dispensing. Ceva has also produced a downloadable guide for vets on management options for dealing with canine at...
Source: Veterinary Record - May 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Products and Services Source Type: research
Shockwave therapy for the rehabilitation of horses and small animals
Eickemeyer has launched a ‘user-friendly’ portable shockwave therapy system that it says can be used in the treatment of various conditions in sport horses or in the management of chronic or postoperative pain in small animals. The company describes the Likawave Vario Vet Shockwave Therapy System as ‘a genuine innovation in extracorporeal, high-energy shockwave therapy’. It reports that, because of its ‘intelligently controlled modulation of shockwave intensity and treatment frequency’, the Vario therapy is more effective and gentler than conventional techniques, and that the application...
Source: Veterinary Record - May 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Products and Services Source Type: research
Protecting pigs against postweaning diarrhoea
Elanco Animal Health will act as the distributor for Coliprotec F4/F18, a new vaccine to protect pigs against postweaning diarrhoea (PWD). The vaccine has been developed by Prevtec Microbia and is now available in the UK and Ireland. The vaccine is intended for the active immunisation of pigs against F4- and F18-positive strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which, the company says, are a major cause of economic loss for pig producers. Coliprotec F4/F18 is given as a single oral dose, with protection beginning seven days after vaccination and lasting for 21 days after vaccination. The company says that proac...
Source: Veterinary Record - May 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Products and Services Source Type: research
Coccidiosis control
KrKa has launched Tolracol, an oral suspension of toltrazuril, which is licensed for the control of coccidiosis in sheep, cattle and pigs. The company says the product offers vets an ‘effective, economic, single dose’ treatment to prevent coccidiosis infections in youngstock on farms with a history of the disease. Tolracol is a prescription-only medicine containing 50 mg/ml of toltrazuril. Krka says that it should be used ahead of the peak infection period on farms with a pre-existing coccidiosis problem and that it is recommended for use in neonatal pigs at three to five days old and as soon as required ...
Source: Veterinary Record - May 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Products and Services Source Type: research
Testing scheme to help vets investigate ovine abortion
Ceva Animal Health has launched Assure Ewe, a subsidised blood testing scheme to help sheep vets identify the cause of abortion on-farm. The scheme is available to all flocks of 50 or more breeding ewes whether or not there has been evidence of abortion. The company describes Assure Ewe as a user-friendly, simple scheme and says it will help facilitate conversations between vets and farmers while providing useful testing information to vets. The scheme requires vets to collect blood samples from six ewes in a flock and supply their own details and those of the farm. Once the results are available, Ceva will share informati...
Source: Veterinary Record - May 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Products and Services Source Type: research
