The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys officially merges with The Donkey Sanctuary
The merge comes in a move to save administrative costs, and because the two charities complement one another so well.
Donkeys assist in therapy for children with additional needs and the elderly, and at the same time the donkeys are looked after and cared for by the people they help.
Member states must enforce the EU Animal Welfare Strategy or it simply won’t work
The BVA has welcomed changes by the European Commission’s new Animal Welfare Strategy but highlights the need for robust, transparent enforcement of proposed measures to ensure their effectiveness.
Member states typically suffer no penalties for failing to enforce proposals, there are no real economic incentives to upholding them leading to a dramatic effect on animal welfare.
The BVA, whilst positive about the new proposals, commented that they don’t do enough to protect companion animals and dairy cattle.
The Kennel Club have released a 30 minute video showcasing the main issues that affect dogs and what is being done to combat them. The video includes details on hereditary diseases, puppy farms and general dog welfare.
Vets, vet nurses and anyone who works with animals are all eligible to be put forward for an award that could see top prizes of a trip to New Zealand and £1000 worth of travel vouchers.
Visit the CEVA website to download the nomination form. The deadline for nominations is 27th January.
‘Evolution not revolution’ in the future use of antimicrobials
Netherlands’ antibiotics awareness agency Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), of which the BVA is a member, adds to European Commission’s Action Plan with the need to carefully monitor the use of antibiotics throughout the veterinary profession.
Antibiotics are not an alternative to good care and husbandry in farming, and in the wider scope of veterinary care antibiotics are not a blanket cure. See the RUMA guidelines for more information.
There’s little debate: antibiotics are used too freely, but their use cannot be cut completely in cases where they’re necessary. There have been guidelines, commissions and warnings: it’s now up to vets and medical practitioners to put changes into action.
Horse Trust find 62% of horses injured while turned out in the field, with only 13% injured during shows
40% of horses have suffered significant injury in the past year, with only 47% of the injuries reported treated by vets.
Owners should ensure there are no objects like stray nails or trays that horses could injure themselves on while feeding. New horses should be introduced in stables before being set loose in the field, with horses turned out in larger groups more likely to sustain injuries.
Further research is to be conducted to find out what happens to injuries that are reported but not treated by vets. In the meantime visit The Horse Trust for more information.
Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. Tiffany Hemming becomes new chair of Animal Welfare Foundation
Dr. Hemming will be leading BVA’s animal welfare charity following Carl Padgett’s departure. The Foundation funds research and educational activities to promote animal welfare within the UK.
Dr. Hemming previously served as commander of a medical squad for two years in Afghanistan, and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel within the Territorial Army.
Novartis provides promotional material and guidance to encourage regular worming
Novartis are offering worming packs to practices across the UK to encourage owners to check their pet for worms more regularly. Vets can also use the Pet Reminder Service to keep tabs on when pets are due for check ups.
In the UK owners only check their pets for worms 2.5 times a year, despite clinical advice suggesting at least checking for worms 4 times a year.
Visit Wormpatrol for more details. Please contact your local Novartis Animal Health representative for information on the worming packs.
A growing number of strays and unwanted pets in shelters is leading to as much as 20 dogs being put down per day in the UK, yet pet ownership is on the rise and ‘Puppy Farms’ are growing.
There are likely a number of factors here, chief among them being expense and accessibility. The cost of buying a puppy or kitten can often be far less than adoption costs. Charity leads on adoption, a prime example being The Blue Cross, and charities simply can’t sustain lower costs.
Is there a solution? Can adoption be made cheaper and easier?
Myths and incorrect information pass through all aspects of our lives, and unfortunately when it comes to pet care owners often adhere to beliefs that simply aren’t true and impact on the lives of their pets. Internalising issues, thinking their pets hold grudges against them or believing punishment is a requirement in training all lead to further problems for both owners, pets and ultimately vets who have to correct what happens.
This useful handout from DVM is distributable and should go some way in dispelling these myths before they become full out problems.
Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital has an excellent up-to-date website with comprehensive staff listing, current events and details on competitions they run at the practice.
Moor Cottage also list full owner factsheets to help owners take better care of their pets in an easy to find, accessible format.
Elsevier 25% Discount
Vetstream subscribers receive 25% off Elsevier products until June 2012.
Access to clinical information for as little as £18.75 per quarter for Vetstart members
