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.

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.

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.

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% [...]

Bimeda announced that the company has received approval from the FDA to market GentaMed (gentamicin sulfate) Soluble Powder for the control and treatment of colibacillosis in weanling swine caused by strains of E. coli sensitive to gentamicin, and for the control and treatment of swine dysentery associated with Treponema hyodysenteriae. Source: Brakke Consulting

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.

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.

Vet nurses perform exceptionally well in Equine diploma

The Level 3 Equine Pathway Diploma replaced the NVQ in August 2010 and opens up additional employment opportunities for vet nurses.

The diploma allows students to demonstrate their skills in realistic settings and provide equine handling experience.

Deidre Carson, partner at Rossdales in Newmarket said:
“We would prefer to employ vet nurses who have taken the Equine Pathway. The qualification provides a thorough grounding in the specifics of equine nursing and gives VNs the necessary understanding and confidence to handle horses effectively.”

Vet nurses had a passrate of 90% while taking Level 3 Equine Pathway Diploma, almost double the passrate of those taking Small Animal course at the same time.

For more information about the diploma visit RCVS.