Partnership to advance equine health through research and educational programmes

Collaboration between Pfizer and the French-based Hippolia Foundation will focus on respiratory disorders and infectious diseases. The Normandy site is a world-class facility in research on racehorses, and the partnership is expected to yield very encouraging results.

The Hippolia Foundation has existing partnerships with hospitals and there is potential for human benefits as a result of equine research.

10% of practices across the UK joined Canine Prostate Awareness Month (CPAM) in November

Feedback on CPAM showed many owners were unaware of the dangers of canine prostate cancer and its prevalance. The campaign, one of Virbac’s most successful, educated owners and led to an increased number of prostate checks.

The campaign ran alongside Movember last November, in which thousands of men grew moustaches to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer.

Dogs are more likely to catch Lyme disease in the UK than previous estimates suggest

Lyme disease is spread by infected ticks and causes flu-like conditions progressing, if untreated, to neurological problems and arthritis. The disease is transmissable to humans.

Lyme is growing in the UK, with 481 infected ticks in 100 000 dogs, a startling figure of 2.3% compared to previous estimates of as low as 1.79%.

Increased surveillance, awareness and tick-treatment is needed. Owners must be made aware of the dangers of Lyme disease, both to themselves and their pets.

Visit the Health Protection Agency to see full results of the study.

Horse Trust-funded research finds that antibiotic offers effective treatment for ocular tumours in horses

A research project funded by The Horse Trust has found that various types of ocular tumours can be successfully treated with mitomycin C, a cytotoxic antibiotic isolated from a bacterium. Mitomycin C offers a safe and cost effective alternative to current treatment options such as surgery and radiation.

Read more for the full story.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. announced it has received approval from the FDA to market Prascend (pergolide mesylate), for treatment of clinical signs associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as equine Cushing’s disease. Prascend is the first and only FDA-approved product for the management of PPID in horses.

Invicta Animal Health – exclusive veterinary distributor of Chloraprep

Chloraprep is a single use, easily applied sterilising system designed to prevent surgical infection. Chloraprep makes even contamination from a patient’s own skin flora impossible.

Chloraprep is already widely used in human medicine, and is used by the majority of UK hospitals and the Blood Transfusion Service. Unfortunately sterilsation is often overlooked in veterinary practice – contamination occurs all too often.

Invicta Animal Health is offers full training and information on using Chloraprep. Call +44 (0)1403 791313 or e-mail mail@invictavet.com for further details.

NSAID Rimadyl Granules re-enter the market

Due to licensing and manufacturing issues Rimadyl was formerly only available as an injectable solution. Rimadyl Granules are now back on the market and can be conveniently added to feed following the initial injection.

Until Nov 30 you can buy five packs of 20 sachets and receive an extra pack free. Contact your Pfizer account manager for further information.

Liphook Equine Hospital (LEH) confirms outbreak in Hampshire/Sussex/Surrey area

Five cases of atypical myopathy have been diagnosed by LEH in the past week, with a further four cases diagnosed in the wider Hampshire/Sussex/Surrey area.

Co-grazing horses should be carefully monitored. Vets in these areas should stay alert, be aware that days prior to referral some horses developed symptoms less well recognised with the disease such as head shaking and stiffness.

For full details on diagnosing and treating atypical myopathy visit Vetstream’s atypical myopathy listing.

More details on this outbreak can be found at BEVA.

Vets can receive a free trial of Cardisure at the London Vet Show 2011

Cardisure contains pimobendan and are an effective treatment for canine congestive heart failure, acting as a positive inotrope forcing contraction of the heart. For everything you could ever want to know about congestive heart disease, visit Vetstream.

For every free trial registered, Eurovet will pledge £1 to The Children’s Heart Association. Delegates could also win two Thamescope Cardiology Stethoscopes. If you’re a veterinary surgeon going to the London Vet Show this year make sure you sign up for your free trial!

Incidentally, do say hello to us at Vetstream too!

The London Vet Show will take place on the 24th and 25th of November 2011. For more details visit the London Vet Show page.

PESTICIDE OVERSIGHT   In response to the EPA’s recent 60-day public comment period requesting feedback to increase the safety of pet pesticide products for fleas and ticks, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are asking for more veterinary oversight of pet pesticide products. The organizations said there [...]