BVA president speaks on role of vets in animal and public health at annual London dinner BVA President Peter Jones highlighted the lead vets play in society and their importance in governmental policy-making process on matters concerning animal and public healthcare. Travel regulations, puppy contracts and the recent horsemeat scandal were all mentioned during the speech [...]

Ratio of income to debt for new vets ‘ominous’ A report by the NY Times has revealed stark increases in student debt in the last decade, with median borrowing of $63 000 per year according to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. This figure has not been met by increasing wages. Starting salaries have in [...]

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) has announced a collaboration with online content supplier Vetstream to develop a series of ten CPD modules covering the most common types of poisoning to animals. The modules will be hosted on Vetacademy, a Vetstream service which provides e-learning modules and online videos in partnership with some of the world’s leading veterinary CPD [...]

British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) comment on horse meat scandal Defra Minister David Heath has announced the latest bute (phenylbutazone) test results. The presence of bute has been confirmed in 8 samples out of 206 tests. Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies has stated that horsemeat containing phenylbutazone presents a [...]

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 [...]

@parvoalert effective in identifying canine parvovirus (CPV)

A Twitter-based early warning system to alert vets and dog owners of cases of canine parvovirus (CPV) in their area has warned of cases in 61 postcode areas in the three months since it was launched.

Be sure to follow @parvoalert for all the latest updates.

Phenylbutazone presence in horses prompts RCVS to remind vets of responsibilities A small number of horses have tested positive for the presence of phenylbutazone, which, if consumed, can be harmful to human health. Defra and the FSA have asked for the assistance of the profession in ensuring that treatment with phenylbutazone is properly recorded in Horse [...]

Mandatory microchipping for all UK dogs by 2016 welcomed by BVA and BSAVA Veterinary associations have hailed the introduction of compulsory microchipping for all dogs in England as a giant leap forward for dogs and their owners. The new law is designed to reduce the number of strays who currently make up over a third of [...]

What should vets do when a pit bull terrier walks into the waiting room? This question, and many others, were addressed this week when the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and The Webinar Vet joined forces to deliver an informative and thought-provoking webinar on dangerous dogs to over 350 live attendees. The webinar, now available to view [...]

British Horse Society to use posters on buses to avoid horse injuries The British Horse Society is hoping that posters placed on the back of buses will help raise awareness of the plight of horses and riders on the road. Ask any horse rider and they will tell you about an incident they have been involved [...]

MRSA superbug highlights antibiotic overuse The Soil Association is calling for the government to investigate British farm animals carrying MRSA and act to stop the overuse of antibiotics in farming. This follows new research from the University of Cambridge revealing the first cases of MRSA ST398 have been found in UK livestock. First found in pigs [...]

Vetstream and NAVC will present Vetacademy at NAVC 2013 Vetstream is proud to announce its partnership with the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) and will be presenting over 120 Vetacademy CE videos free of charge to all delegates. Find us at NAVC in Florida Online Learning Center in the Capitva room at the Gaylord Hotel from Sunday-Tuesday [...]

The recent revelations concerning horse meat being identified in various meat products has highlighted concerns about meat traceability and equine welfare according to The British Horse Society. The UK’s largest equine charity believes that a number of serious food hygiene issues need addressing as a matter of urgency. The 2012 Defra decision to withdraw funding [...]

Abolishment of Dog Control Orders concerns Kennel Club The Kennel Club has responded to the Home Office Affairs Committee’s call for evidence on the Government’s draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill with serious concerns regarding the abolishment of Dog Control Orders, which it feels can be used effectively by councils to promote responsible dog ownership when used correctly. [...]

Animal Health Trust (AHT) Hydrotherapy team celebrate record-breaking year The Animal Health Trust (AHT) in Kentford, Suffolk, is celebrating its first year in its purpose built Hydrotherapy Centre, with the news that the team has treated a record number of patients in 2012! In the last 12 months, the team has treated over 700 cases with [...]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Vetsforum! Hope you have a stress-free, relaxing holiday.

Study to analyse first assessments of colic Although most cases of equine colic can be treated and less than 10% of cases are severe enough to require surgery, it is one of the conditions horse owners most dread. The research team is hoping to enrol veterinary surgeons from across the country to help gather information on [...]

Kennel Club fear increase in dog poisoning over Christmas The Kennel Club is advising owners to be aware of the dangers of feeding their dogs from the table as depicted in Morrisons’ advertising campaign. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and a multitude of other food commonly found on the dinner plate this Christmas are toxic to dogs and [...]

Equine grass sickness vaccine to trial in Scotland It has been announced that the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies of the University of Edinburgh, will be conducting a small pilot vaccine trial to protect against equine grass sickness. Following approval by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the pilot study is [...]

TB report prompts need to eradicate rather than control disease Veterinary associations have welcomed the Review into Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) by the Assembly’s Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Committee, and highlighted the importance of the role of veterinary surgeons in delivering an effective TB eradication strategy. Recommendations include eradicated of TB with specific targets instead of [...]