Diamond Pet Foods announced it is expanding a voluntary recall to include one production run and four production codes of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light formula dry dog food, as well as several lots of Puppy Formula dry dog food. One bag of the product has tested positive for Salmonella. No dog illnesses have been reported.

(Source – Brakke Consulting)

Scientists at Plum Island Animal Disease Center have developed a foot-and-mouth vaccine that contains only part of the virus and cannot replicate. The vaccine also includes an antibody test that will enable regulators to tell the difference between a vaccinated and naturally infected animal. The vaccine is expected to be licensed in the next few months.

(Source: Brakke Consulting)

Could you spot the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse?

On average it takes 35 incidents of abuse before victims feel able to report it. There are many ways domestic abuse can be detected, and vets could play a key role in helping victims report cases.

The Medics Against Violence (MAV) and Domestic Abuse Veterinary Initiative (DAVI) has been launched in Scotland with the support of the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) and the BVA to prevent cases of abuse through specialised CPD courses and practice literature aimed to identify abuse.

Vets are in an ideal position to notice both the condition of a pet and changes in an owner’s behaviour or appearance, and as trusted members of society vets can play a key role in making sure incidents of abuse are reported.

For more information visit the BVA.

Guidance notes will be available from the VDS shortly.

Supreme Petfoods launch rabbit care campaign

The fortnightly campaign allows veterinary practices to opt-in to receive goodie bags containing rabbit food, hutch stickers and rabbit-friendly care guides.

RCVS Exotics Specialist Molly Varga has backed the campaign, encouraging all practices to consider taking part in the campaign to make veterinary practices more rabbit friendly.

For more information or to sign up visit Think Rabbit.

One hour exclusive webinar for reward-based training at puppy parties

Puppy parties are a popular way of socialising dogs and teaching owners about worming and vaccination. Royal Canin’s puppy party webinar aims to provide vet nurses with solid understanding of rewarding positive behaviour and training dogs at puppy parties.

The webinar will be presented by leading animal behaviourist Gwen Bailey and Royal Canin’s Practice Support Manager Clare Hemmings VN.

The one hour webinar starts at 8:00pm Tuesday 22 May.

To register please visit Royal Canin.

Pet Allergy Worldwide Survey (PAWS) finds 44% of owners not aware their pets can suffer from allergies

44% of more than 1250 owners across six countries were unaware their pets could suffer from allergies, and 51% did not know that pet allergies are more likely to develop during human allergy seasons.

The study, conducted by Novartis Animal Health, found 80% of owners wanted to know more about pet allergies. Given the statistics it’s definitely worth mentioning allergies to owners as we hurtle into summer.

Refer owners to Itchfreepet for more information.

Consumer research conducted by Elanco has found 6/10 owners purchase treatment from other sources

Elanco conducted a survey of 1000 dog owners and found whilst the majority would consult their vet on advice in treating fleas, worms and vaccination, most would then purchase treatment from other sources.

According to the research nearly a quarter of owners who previously bought treatment from veterinary practices switched to pet stores or internet pharmacies within a year.

But why?

Cost, convenience and method of treatment. Elanco conducted the study to promote Comfortis and the ease as which it is administered. In their case study they highlight a vet who offered a 20% discount for the tablet to great success.

No matter how good the service at your practice is, you are competing with a variety of more convenient, cheaper treatment options. Services such as the NVS Webshop and Pfizer Pressroom can help you stay ahead of the competition.

ITV present puppy as prize on prime time show

The Kennel Club has responded with shock to a decision by ITV executives to offer a puppy as a prize on Keith Lemon’s Lemonaid, a prime time TV show.

The practice of giving pets as prizes is illegal in Scotland. While not illegal in England, giving pets as a prize is against the Kennel Club’s code of ethics which expressedly state an owner should see a puppy with its mother before taking care of it.

It’s clichéd but a puppy is a lifelong commitment, not a commodity to be thoughtlessly given as a prize. The Kennel Club has no legal powers however it is a member of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which promote the standards of responsible pet advertising.

Visit the Kennel Club for more information.

Free iPhone and Android app allows owners to report missing dogs

mydog uk allows an owner to create a profile for their dog and links that profile directly to the dog’s microchip information. If a dog goes missing the owner can report the issue instantly with no need to worry about finding microchip details.

Owners can also receive extras talkdog and fitdog through the app. talkdog helps owners understand their dog’s body language and fitdog offers a number of tutorials for keeping dogs healthy and happy.

Download mydog uk for free on iPhone or Android smartphones.

For more information visit mydog uk.

Eight veterinary staff poisoned by exposure to phosphine gas

Dogs being treated for ingesting pest-killers have exposed veterinary staff to hazardous phosphine gas by vomiting.

Zinc phosphide is commonly used to kill rodents. When a pet accidentally consumes the poison common procedure is to induce the animal to regurgitate, however zinc phosphide releases poisonous phosphine gas after contact with stomach acid and as a result can poison staff in an enclosed room.

Where possible staff should try to induce regurgitation outside and upwind of any poisonous gases.

For more information and helpful resources specific to vets visit the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.