Online content supplier Vetstream is giving BSAVA Congress delegates the chance to win 10 free online CPD modules if they can answer three questions related to poisonings in dogs.

Invicta Animal Health appointed exclusive UK distributor of EquiChek

EquiChek is a novel rapid screening test, using whole blood, to assess the level of Serum Amyloid A (SAA) which is a major acute phase protein of inflammation in horses.

Importantly, EquiChek is the first test which is able to provide a visual semi-quantitative result within 15 minutes. The test will display 4 lines for a normal level of SAA and sequentially fewer lines depending on the severity of the inflammation.

For more information visit Invicta Vet

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.

Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and European Commission to ban direct antibiotic advertising to farmers

The VMD has supported the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics and brought in regulations to ban direct advertising of antibiotics to farmers. Regulations will be brought into effect from the end of 2013, though the Alliance is calling for an immediate ban.

The UK is the only EU country that allows antibiotics to be advertised to farmers. The practice has been called ‘dangerous’ and propagates inappropriate prescriptions and broader resistance to antibiotics.

Lowering antibiotic use is a key issue faced by the One Health Initiative, a scheme that seeks to unite veterinary, human and industrial medicine against growing problems such as antibiotic resistance.

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.

NAVC conference lectures and surgical procedures available on Vetacademy CPD videoplayer

If you were unable to attend this year’s NAVC (North American Veterinary Conference) conference, you can catch up on any of the lectures that you missed with the Vetacademy video player.

Recorded lectures discussing medicine, surgery and dermatitis are all available to watch online using your computer, iPad or tablet.

Videos cost just £7.50 for one month’s access, so you can view them anytime and as many times as you like.

Full range of NAVC conference videos are available here: http://www.vetacademy.co.uk/videos/clinical-videos.shtml

Bovine tuberculosis test added to World Organization for Animal Health

IDEXX announces that the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has added the IDEXX M. bovis Ab Test to its registry of tests. OIE develops and maintains international standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines and this marks the first time the organization has certified an antibody test for the detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Released in 2011, the IDEXX M. bovis test offers a fast, three-hour protocol that delivers objective, quantitative results compatible with typical laboratory data management systems. Its easy-to-use ELISA format requires no specialized training or handling requirements and can be automated for high-volume use. The test also can utilize serum or plasma samples already collected for other disease surveillance purposes.

For more information on the M. bovis Ab Test visit IDEXX.

Untreated waste milk fed to calves leads to rapid spread in ESBL E.coli

21% of waste milk samples fed to calves contained residues of the antibiotic cefquinome and 6% contained antibiotic resistant E.coli. Cefquinome is a mainstay in treating mastitis and is extremely widespread in use.

Defra research demonstrates how rapidly antibiotic resistant E.coli can be spread to entire cattle farms through reckless use of antibiotics and untreated waste milk.

Abstracts and full findings are available from Defra.

20th National Equine Forum raises issues on headshaking, sarcoids and obesity

Professor Derek Knottenbelt raised the issue of headshaking in horses and likened the condition to the facial pain experienced by humans when suffering from multiple sclerosis or cluster headache syndrome. Headshaking is a serious neurological condition that warrants a full clinical investigation.

Professor Derek Knottenbelt also highlighted the severity of sarcoids as a form of skin cancer and not a wart. Professor Knottenbelt said early treatment was critical, though more effective measures and some form of prophylaxis, and not homeopathic ‘rubbish’, were necessary to combat the disease.

Lisa Randle raised concerns over equine obesity, citing prevailing views that the obese phenotype is ‘normal’. Between 30-54% of horses are overweight as owners simply aren’t aware of the extent of the problem. Lisa Randle suggested the introduction of ‘well horse’ clinics, allowing vets and advisors to guide owners on the proper care of their horses.

Read the full proceedings of NEF 2012 on British Equestrian Federation site.

The risks of antimicrobial resistance passing from animals to humans are lower than previously thought

New research published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B has found use of veterinary antibiotics carries a lower risk of resistance in human medicine than previous research indicated.

Carl Padgett, BVA president, commented:
“The researchers state that it is unlikely that the animal population is the major source of resistance diversity for humans.”

The BVA promotes responsible use of antimicrobials.

See more details and the full research report here.