Feed originating from ethanol production waste contains antibiotics

Ethanol production requires the use of antibiotics to prevent bacteria outbreaks that lead to decreased yield. Pencillin and erythromycin are commonly used to ensure levels of bacteria are kept low.

However ‘distillers grains’ are a byproduct of ethanol production and are sold as livestock feed due to their high nutritional value despite the high amount of antibiotics they are exposed to. This leads to higher levels of antimicrobial resistance, especially in regard to one of the most widely used antibiotics: pencillin.

This is a critical issue as plans to cut antimicrobial resistance are brought to the forefront of the veterinary community through the One Health Iniatiative.

Visit Allaboutfeed for the full story.

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.

Record number of candidates stand for council elections

Amanda Boag and Christopher Barker, two new candidates, have been elected to be part of the RCVS Council, with Amanda Boag receiving the most votes of any candidate.

They join Catherine Goldie, Barry Johnson, Richard Stephenson and Stephen May and will take up or resume their seats at RCVS Day on 6 July.

Katherine Kissick and Elizabeth Figg have been elected following the VN Council ellection.

The elections saw a record number of candidates, but a disappointing voter turnout, with only 15.1% of vets and 7.5% of vet nurses voting by text, online or by post.

For a full list of results visit RCVS.

Receive discounts by registering for BEVA early

Registration for British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) congress is available with significant discounts for early bird registration. Register before August to take advantage of the discounts available.

BEVA congress is the largest equine veterinary event in the UK and BEVA 2012 boasts five in-depth science programmes spread over 12-15th September in Birmingham’s ICC centre.

For more details visit BEVA.

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.

Feral pigs screened by the North Carolina State University tested positive for the Brucella suis bacteria, the first time that the disease has been identified in feral pigs in the state. The study aimed to test pigs in North Carolina for several types of bacteria and viruses between September 2007 and March 2010. Around 9% [...]

Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed in California

BSE (nicknamed ‘Mad Cow disease’) has been confirmed in central California for the first time since 2003, the fourth ever case of BSE found in the US.

A food safety crisis has not been announced and there is no reason to suspect an outbreak or danger to public health.

Vets may be called on to reassure the public or to advise farmers. Please read more for a list of vital facts on BSE.

Veterinary expert Mark Evans to host biggest nationwide study

CCTV cameras and GPS tags will be used to track the movement of foxes across cities in the UK. It’s estimated up to 40 000 foxes live in cities and yet we know precious little about them.

Urban foxes and pets often cross paths, leading to injuries or the spread of disease. Learning more about urban foxes and their lives could lead to better awareness for pet owners.

Foxes Live will air 30 April with an additional two shows to follow.

Visit The Guardian for more information.

BVA, BSAVA and Kennel Club express disappointment at government proposals

Defra’s proposals will only alter existing legislation that doesn’t do enough and is reactionary rather than pre-emptive.

Mark Johnston, BSAVA President said:
“Although we welcome the individual proposals they only tinker with the inadequate existing laws. The move… is a positive step but will do little or nothing to actually prevent attacks happening in the first place.”

Steps to introduce compulsory microchipping were applauded by the veterinary associations, but compulsory microchipping won’t prevent attacks and is only useful for tracing dogs and their owners after attacks happen.

Visit Defra for the full government legislation.