Hunting with hounds
THERESA May recently reconfirmed her support for fox hunting (BBC 2017) and the Conservative manifesto (2017) contains a commitment to grant a free vote, on a government bill in government time, to give parliament the opportunity to decide the future of the Hunting Act. If attempts to repeal the Act were successful, this would result in a return to wild mammals being chased and killed by hunts using packs of hounds. As veterinary professionals committed to upholding the highest possible standards of animal welfare, we are opposed to any dilution or repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. In 2000, the Burns report (Burns and others...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Letters and Notices Source Type: research
Can zoo licensing be improved?
ZOO licensing may be something of a curate's egg, and frankly I would challenge even that. To suggest (VR, May 27, 2017, vol 180, p 510) that it is not fit for purpose is simply fallacious; the fact that there are many welfare cases prosecuted by Defra or the RSPCA in a year does not demonstrate how ineffective they are at improving welfare. Defra and the APHA appoint two lists of inspectors – a list of appropriately experienced veterinary surgeons, and a list of experienced biologists and curators. This produces a broad inspectorate with a wide range of skills which can be matched to zoos. Where there is no controve...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Letters and Notices Source Type: research
Selected highlights from other veterinary journals
This study investigated the relationship between previous litter box use and the identity of the previous user, type of elimination, odour and presence of physical/visual obstructions in a multi-cat household scenario. Four-day preference test scenarios, in which each cat was provided with two litter boxes each presenting a different treatment condition, were set up to assess if previous litter box use affects box preference; if odour alone influenced litter box preference; and to... (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Research Digest Source Type: research
Evidence that avian influenza vaccination induces long-lived immune responses in zoo birds
VACCINATION has advanced as a control measure to protect zoo bird populations from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks (Ellis and others 2004; European Commission 2006; United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 2016). In 2005 through 2007, European zoos implemented preventive HPAI vaccination protocols of their bird populations, which elicited strong although heterogeneous responses in zoo birds in the months following vaccination (Philippa and others 2007; Bertelsen and others 2007; Furger and others 2008; Lécu and others 2009; Vergara-Alert and others 2011)....
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Fernandez-Bellon, H., Vergara-Alert, J., Almagro, V., Rivas, R., Majo, N., Busquets, N., Ramis, A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
First detection of Salmonella enterica serovar Napoli in kennel dogs in Italy
IN the last two decades, reports of human infections due to Salmonella enterica serovar Napoli have notably increased especially in France, Italy and Switzerland (Fisher and others, 2009; Graziani and others, 2013). Although relatively uncommon in Europe, S Napoli is the 15th most prevalent serovar isolated from human salmonellosis with 333 confirmed cases in 2014 (EFSA and ECDC, 2015). In Italy this serotype seems to be endemic, in the Northern Regions especially. It is among the five main serovars isolated from human infections in the last years (Fisher and others, 2009; Graziani and others, 2013). Although several epide...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Dotto, G., Menandro, M. L., Mondin, A., Martini, M., Pasotto, D. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Umbilical infections in foals: microbiological investigation and management
This study aims to investigate the bacteria involved in equine omphalitis and their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs, and consequently to provide guidelines concerning the most suitable treatment protocol in accordance with the clinical, ultrasound and laboratory findings. Forty foals aged between one and 30 days were evaluated in the course of this investigation. An ultrasound examination of all umbilical remnants was carried out carefully in all foals; umbilical swabs were collected for bacteriological examination, and blood samples were collected for blood culture from 19 foals with fever and abnormal blood va...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Rampacci, E., Passamonti, F., Bottinelli, M., Stefanetti, V., Cercone, M., Nannarone, S., Gialletti, R., Beccati, F., Coletti, M., Pepe, M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Role of canine circovirus in dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea
This study evaluated a suspected association between the presence of CanineCV and acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) in dogs. The prevalence of CanineCV in dogs with AHDS was compared with that in healthy dogs and those infected with canine parvovirus (CPV). Additionally, time to recovery and mortality rate were compared between CanineCV-positive and CanineCV-negative dogs. Faecal samples of dogs with AHDS (n=55), healthy dogs (n=66) and dogs infected with CPV (n=54) were examined by two real-time TaqMan PCR assays targeting the replicase and capsid genes of CanineCV. CanineCV was detected in faecal samples of tw...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Anderson, A., Hartmann, K., Leutenegger, C. M., Proksch, A. L., Mueller, R. S., Unterer, S. Tags: Research Source Type: research
What is causing acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome in dogs?
IDIOPATHIC acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) in dogs is characterised by acute onset of haemorrhagic diarrhoea, which is commonly, but not always, preceded by acute onset vomiting. Other clinical and laboratory findings include lethargy, tachycardia, hypothermia, increased haematocrit values and stress leukogram with neutrophilic left shift (Mortier and others 2015). All these likely reflect hypovolaemia and decreased perfusion of all internal organs, as they are quickly corrected with appropriate fluid therapy (Mortier and others 2015). The syndrome appears to be more common in winter months and affects predomi...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Dunowska, M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Wildlife: topical issues, recent cases
This focus article was prepared by Paul Duff, Paul Holmes and Alex Barlow of the APHA Wildlife Expert Group (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surveillance Source Type: research
Disease surveillance in England and Wales, May 2017
Current and emerging issues: potentially toxic blue-green algal blooms
Highlights from the scanning surveillance network
Update on international disease threats
Focus on topical issues and recent cases relating to wildlife
These are among matters discussed in the Animal and Plant Health Agency's (APHA's) disease surveillance report for May 2017 (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surveillance Source Type: research
Researchers find mutation linked to brachycephaly in dogs
A study by researchers at the Roslin Institute has identified a genetic mutation linked to the flat face shape seen in dog breeds such as bulldogs and pugs. The study was carried out in 374 pet dogs of various pedigree and mixed breeds that had been treated at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. All the dogs had undergone CT scanning as part of their care, and researchers were able to take precise measurements of the shape of each dog's skull. They also analysed DNA samples from every dog. By comparing the genetic information with the skull measurements, the researchers were able to pinpoint DNA variations that ...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Owners of brachycephalic dogs pay more attention to looks than health
APPEARANCE is the top reason why owners purchase brachycephalic dogs, according to research carried out by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Plymouth University. The perceived health of a breed was of less concern to owners who bought a brachycephalic dog such as a French bulldog or pug compared with owners who bought breeds such as labrador retrievers or cocker spaniels. The research featured in the journal Animal Welfare from a team led by Rowena Packer, a research fellow at the RVC. ‘With their small size and baby-like features, some people cannot resist the looks of a brachycephalic dog,’ said Dr Packe...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
Farmers urged to be vigilant for bluetongue
Livestock farmers – particularly those on the Kent and Sussex coast – are being encouraged to talk to their vet about vaccinating their animals against bluetongue this year. In an updated assessment of the risk of serotype 8 of the bluetongue virus (BTV-8) entering the UK this year, Defra says that, while the risk is currently low, it will change as the summer progresses. BTV-8 re-emerged in France in 2015, having been undetected in mainland Europe for five years. By May 5 this year, more than 2300 cases of BTV-8 had been detected in France. Most cases have been found in the centre of the country but, recently,...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
News in brief
Discussion Forum on June 5 will focus on the licensing of animal establishments. The session will give delegates a chance to discuss the current animal establishments legislation, enforcement and local authorities' role and responsibilities, and what the future of animal establishments licensing could or should look like. A limited number of tickets for the AWF discussion forum are still available, which includes a drinks reception at the... (Source: Veterinary Record)
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
RUMA adopts European Medicines Agency's list of highest priority antibiotics
The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance has decided to use the European Medicines Agency (EMA) list of critically important antibiotics (CIAs) setting out which antibiotic groups should only be used in livestock when no other product will be effective. RUMA explains that slightly different lists of CIAs – so-called because they are considered critically important for use in human medicine – have been published by the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. This has led to debate within farming about which list should be observed. After discussions with...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research
