Benchmarking antimicrobial use
The mass used for each population corrected unit (mg/PCU) as a measure of antimicrobial use has its limitations. As suggested by James More (VR, October 14, 2017, vol 181, p 405) there is no doubt its use is more appropriate when considering national sales data and benchmarking antibiotic use on a national scale rather than at the level of individual farms. The remit of the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) Target Task Force has been for each of the different agricultural sectors to look to their own antibiotic usage and consider targets that reflect increasingly ‘responsible use’. How...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Lovatt, F., Blake-Dyke, C., Berry, E., White, M., Soutar, R., Parker, D. Tags: Letters and notices Source Type: research
Veterinary homeopathy: a defence
The International Association for Veterinary Homeopathy (IAVH) is disappointed with how our colleagues try to influence the position of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in relation to homeopathy.1, 2 The many errors and omissions in this paper suggests to the authors that it was not reviewed by anyone qualified in veterinary homeopathy. Remarkably, the authors’ critical approach is mainly based on theoretical arguments on why homeopathy cannot possibly work. We recognise this approach but believe it to be based on the a priori perceived implausibility of any conceivable mechanism of action, also called plausi...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: De Beukelaer, E., Renoux, H., Nicolai, T., Tournier, A. Tags: Letters and notices Source Type: research
Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: animal welfare and public health perspective
In a review summary on page 450, Pasmans and others discuss the future of keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets. Here, Clifford Warwick and others discuss the animal welfare and public health implications of exotic pet business. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Warwick, C., Jessop, M., Arena, P., Pliny, A., Nicholas, E., Lambiris, A. Tags: Viewpoint Source Type: research
Selected highlights from other veterinary journals
Dogs change facial expression when people pay attention J. Kaminski, J. Hynds, P. Morris, B. M. Waller Historically, animal facial expressions have been considered inflexible, involuntary displays of emotional states rather than active attempts to communicate with others. To better understand how dogs use their face, this study tested whether domestic dog facial expressions are subject to audience effects and/or whether they changed in response to an arousing stimulus, such as food. Twenty-four dogs were included in the study. Each dog was taken into a room with a person that it had never met before and were presented with...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Research digest Source Type: research
Correction
The incorrect author list was included with the research summary titled ‘Emerging infectious disease threatens Darwin’s frog with extinction’ in Veterinary Record (October 14, 2017, vol 181, p 403). The correct author list is: A. Valenzuela-Sánchez, B. R. Schmidt, D. E. Uribe-Rivera, F. Costas, A. A. Cunningham, C. Soto-Azat. The error is regretted. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Correction Source Type: research
Computed tomographic assessment of equine maxillary cheek teeth anatomical relationships, and paranasal sinus volumes
Disorders affecting the equine maxillary cheek teeth and paranasal sinuses are relatively common, but limited objective information is available on the dimensions and relationships of these structures in horses of different ages. The aims of this study were to assess age-related changes in the positioning and anatomical relationships of the individual maxillary cheek teeth with the infraorbital canal and maxillary septum and the volumes of the individual sinus compartments. CT and gross examination were performed on 60 normal equine cadaver heads that were aged by their dentition. The intrasinus position of cheek teeth, le...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Liuti, T., Reardon, R., Dixon, P. M. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Prevalence of and risk factors for FIV and FeLV infection in two shelters in the United Kingdom (2011-2012)
This study shows that the prevalence of these diseases varies between shelter populations. Local knowledge combined with the risk factors identified may be useful in focusing resources for population testing strategies. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Stavisky, J., Dean, R. S., Molloy, M. H. Tags: Infectious diseases Paper Source Type: research
Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability
The keeping of exotic pets is currently under debate and governments of several countries are increasingly exploring the regulation, or even the banning, of exotic pet keeping. Major concerns are issues of public health and safety, animal welfare and biodiversity conservation. The keeping of reptiles and amphibians in captivity encompasses all the potential issues identified with keeping exotic pets, and many of those relating to traditional domestic pets. Within the context of risks posed by pets in general, the authors argue for the responsible and sustainable keeping of reptile and amphibian pets by private persons, bas...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Pasmans, F., Bogaerts, S., Braeckman, J., Cunningham, A. A., Hellebuyck, T., Griffiths, R. A., Sparreboom, M., Schmidt, B. R., Martel, A. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets: challenges and rewards
Reptiles and amphibians are, for many of us, the most fascinating animals on earth, with morphological, physiological, reproductive, behavioural and life style diversity far beyond anything found in mammals and birds, the typical focus of veterinary research and practice. When I started my career in reptile behaviour there was comparatively little interest in reptiles and amphibians in ethology, comparative psychology or veterinary medicine. This has changed dramatically in the last few decades due to several factors. Why the interest in exotic species? Herptiles have become increasingly popular in the pet trade. While hat...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Burghardt, G. M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Equine infectious anaemia in Europe: an ongoing threat to the UK
Helen Roberts of Defra’s International Disease Monitoring team sets out the situation regarding equine infectious anaemia in Europe, the threat to the UK and the expectations of disease control measures in light of an outbreak being detected. (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Roberts, H. Tags: Surveillance Source Type: research
Vet Futures: student reps begin training
The Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) held the first training day for its new Vet Futures Student Ambassadors last week. Hosted by the RCVS and BVA, and supported by the Veterinary Schools Council, the training day included training on planning, communication, presentation and leadership, and discussion aimed at developing student-led projects. Themes chosen by the students as areas for focus included innovation, veterinary careers, communication with the public on animal welfare issues, mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals and One Health. The Vet Futures project was established by RCVS and BVA in...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 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. This summary forms part of a continuing series of monthly updates for Veterinary Record from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The last summary was published in VR, Sept 30, 2017, vol 181, pp 338-340. The points below highlight changes in marketing authorisations that may have a significant impact on veterinary surgeons’ prescribing decisions. New marketing authorisations New ma...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Vets urged to support vital bird of prey conservation
Veterinary professionals are being urged to take part in the #vets4vultures online fundraising campaign. Led by charity Wildlife Vets International (WVI), the campaign is raising money for the Raptor Rehabilitation Programme, which aims to ensure that as many injured birds as possible survive and are successfully reintroduced to the wild. Vultures and other birds of prey are persecuted throughout the world. This can be through hunting and the poisoning of carcases, or indirectly through kite strings, wind turbines and the use of diclofenac in livestock. Numbers of some species of vultures have experienced a drop of 99.9 pe...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Novel gene therapy gives competition horses new lease of life after lameness
Injecting DNA into injured horse tendons and ligaments can cure lameness, researchers have found. They used gene therapy technology in horses that had gone lame due to injury and within two to three weeks the horses were able to walk and trot. Within two months, the horses were back to full health and ready to compete. Results from the study – believed to be the first example of this type of therapy in horses – could have big implications for both veterinary and human medicine. Tendon and ligament injuries are one of the most common causes of orthopaedic disorders in horses. Injuries of the digital flexor tendo...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Preventing fractures in racehorses
The Animal Health Trust is working with the British Racing School (BRS) to identify how to prevent fatal fractures in racehorses.
The Trust has already found that genetic factors can influence fracture risk in thoroughbreds but now it wants to develop a DNA test to identify horses at risk.
It is comparing the DNA of BRS thoroughbreds with horses who have
sustained injuries with the aim of identifying a gene/genes responsible for a horse suffering a fracture.
It hopes a DNA test would enable trainers and breeders to select the best suited horses for racing. It would allow horses to have their bone health monitored regularl...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
