Vetacademy January sale

If you’re starting to plan the year ahead or perhaps undertaking CE/CPD is one of your New Year’s resolutions, why not get a head start with Vetacademy?

Use the voucher code in the Vetacademy group to receive 10% off all Vetacademy modules and selected veterinary videos throughout January.

Visit Vetacademy to get started.

Racecourse under quarantine after EIA detected

A racecourse in Cologne has been quarantined after Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) (Vetstream definition) was detected in at least one horse stabled there.

It could take up to 90 days for the quarantine, in which Arc favourite Danedream is caught, to be lifted.

UPDATE: EIA detected in the UK

Defra has confirmed at least one EIA case in Cornwall. EIA is extremely uncommon in the UK.

The premises on which the horse was kept has been quarantined and the affected horse has been humanely destroyed.

EIA is not thought to spread quickly as the flies which carry the disease rarely fly more than 200m to feed. However any signs of EIA in the area should be reported immediately.

For more information visit Defra.

New data demonstrates that Cushing’s disease is common in laminitic horses as young as 10 years old

Following the hugely successful ‘Talk About Laminitis’ campaign which saw over 3100 horses tested for PPID (Cushing’s disease) during the spring, data collected by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has demonstrated that one third of laminitic middle aged horses (between the ages of 10 and 15 years) tested positive for the disease.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica will be re-launching its highly popular disease awareness initiative ‘Talk About Laminitis’ which is complemented by free ACTH blood tests during September, October and November.

To receive free ACTH blood test vouchers visit Talk About Laminitis.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica have released another series of informative, free equine webinars which can be accessed on demand at any time. The webinars cover diagnostic challenges in equine endocrine disease and effective approaches to equine laminitis.

Both webinars count as 1 hour of CPD and will earn you a certificate upon completion. Click here for more information.

Amy Thorne RVN of NKR Vets has written a comprehensive guide on blood transfusions, including precise information as to volumes that should be collected, identifying markers and correct procedure.

It’s safe to say most vets know how to perform a blood transfusion correctly, but there is a lot of extra information here of genuine interest.

Take a look here.

Vetstream.com has altered its system requirements and subscribers to Canis, Felis, Lapis and Equis no longer have to install and use the Oracle plug-in. Vetstream is now available in all browsers and on all platforms.

Vetstream provides instant reference to thousands of conditions, treatments and techniques all of which are peer reviewed and published by eminent veterinarians. Vetstream is the perfect resource for busy vets who want to stay ahead.

Click here to read about changes to the Vetstream service.

Luminol has been used to show differences between viral and bacterial infection which could lead to faster diagnosis and, of definite use to the veterinary industry, less use of antibiotics when they aren’t required. Antibiotic resistance is a widespread problem especially in the farming industry.

The test relies on white blood cell response to Luminol, providing a different reaction when either a viral or bacterial infection is present. Whilst this test is very much in its infancy, any measure to prevent overuse of antibiotics is welcome.

Click here for the full article which is also available in audio format from Scientific American.

There is low risk of Equine Infectious Anaemia being introduced into the UK from Europe due to horses travelling through infected areas. Though EU rules on the movement of horses are strictly monitored, vets and owners alike should remain viligant for symptoms. If you suspect a horse has EIA you should report the case immediately to the AHVLA.

Read more…

It’s the final call for comments on the draft new RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, as the consultation closes on Friday, 24 June 2011. The new draft Code, which is intended to replace the existing RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, was produced by a Working Party set up by [...]

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council and the Veterinary Nursing Council have decided that there will be no increase in registration and retention fees for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses for 2012. Last year, the Councils decided that a lower than inflation increase should apply to fees for 2011 to help mitigate the [...]