What's New In The Veterinary Profession : Equine

Equine infectious anaemia detected in Northumberland

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:51:00 GMT

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse in Northumberland following importation from the Netherlands, Defra confirmed today.

The premises is currently under restriction and the infected horse will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other horses on the premises are currently subject to epidemiological investigation.

The horse arrived in a group of six horses originating in the Netherlands and all have been tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. The other five horses in the group have all tested negative.

Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: "This again shows the success of our post import testing regime. These were apparently healthy horses carrying a notifiable disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. After considering the risk I have decided to take appropriate action and humanely destroy this horse."

Meanwhile, equine welfare charity World Horse Welfare is sending out an urgent plea to all horse owners across the UK and mainland Europe to work together in order to stop the increasing threat from this and a number of other diseases.

According to the charity, this case comes only eight months after the discovery of two horses suffering from the disease, which is notifiable, in Wiltshire. Those horses had been transported across Europe from Romania before being imported into the UK. Since the end of August alone, there have been new outbreaks reported in Northern France (directly linked to horses imported from Romania), the Dordogne area, and Germany.

World Horse Welfare Chief Executive Roly Owers said: "While World Horse Welfare welcomes the news that Defra has acted so promptly in dealing with this case, today's news is extremely concerning and demonstrates the changing environment we're living in. This is a real warning to us that we're sailing far too close to the wind. The concerning question is where these horses came from given that Holland to date has not reported a case of EIA.

"With more and more horses moving across Europe, including the significant trade in low value animals, not just slaughter animals, we're facing an increasing threat from the spread of disease. EIA is endemic in both Romania and Italy; Romania being one of the largest exporters and Italy being the largest importer of horses for slaughter in Europe. In spite of the legal requirement for health certification before exporting horses from Romania, which were tightened in June 2010, there continues to be cases of EIA across Europe.

"World Horse Welfare advises owners to undertake rigorous checks when buying a horse from abroad and is discouraging anyone from importing Romanian horses. Owners should also ensure that any horse they buy or that comes on to their yard has a passport, is checked for a microchip and that isolation and biosecurity measures are strictly followed for any new entry onto the yard. If this disease spreads across the UK it could have catastrophic effects on our horse population. Whether it's a child's pony or Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, disease does not discriminate."

Horiba launches haematology analyser in the UK

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:28:00 GMT

Horiba Medical has announced it is the official exclusive UK distributor of the fully automated Vet abc Plus+ veterinary haematology analyser from scil animal care company GmbH, Germany.

According to the company, the compact Vet abc Plus+ provides a complete blood count (CBC), including 4-part white blood cell (WBC) differential, from only 10 µl of EDTA whole blood, in only 60 seconds.

The Vet abc Plus⁺ provides pre-installed settings to analyse samples from dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, mice, rats, cattle, pigs and sheep. For dogs, cats and horses, the Vet abc Plus⁺provides a 4-part WBC differential blood count, including a differentiation of the leucocytes to identify lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and eosinophils. Results are available in 60 seconds on screen or can be automatically printed out and transferred to the practice information system or clinical notes. For ease-of-use, the Vet abc Plus+ also incorporates a self-contained reagent and waste system which provides a clean operation whilst being easy to replenish.

Borne from an existing manufacturing partnership, scil and HORIBA Medical already have over 6000 veterinary haematology analysers placed globally. Horiba says the new UK distribution agreement enables UK veterinary professionals to not only procure the Vet abc Plus+ analyser, but also receive expert service and support directly from the manufacturer HORIBA Medical and its team of UK specialists.

For more information, visit: www.horiba.com/uk/medical

Pfizer warns horse owners of the perils of redworm

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:42:00 GMT

Pfizer Animal Health is reminding horse owners of the importance of treating encysted small redworm larvae this autumn.

According to the company, these hidden, dormant parasites can account for up to 90% of the redworm burden in a horse (1). Furthermore, encysted small redworm larvae won't show up in a faecal egg count (FEC). Even if a horse has shown a negative or low count it could still be harbouring several million harmful larvae, hidden within the gut wall (2)

Encysted small redworm are a potential time bomb, with the ability to survive inside a horse for up to two years. They usually 'wake-up' in the late winter or early spring, developing and emerging from the gut wall all at the same time. Such a sudden mass emergence can cause a disease syndrome known as 'larval cyathostominosis', causing diarrhoea and colic with up to a 50% mortality rate (2). Treating encysted small redworm successfully in the late autumn or early winter is vitally important in order to prevent this serious risk.

Pfizer says that Moxidectin, the key ingredient of EQUEST, is recognised as the only single dose treatment for encysted small redworm. It has been shown to kill the larvae in-situ, without resulting in severe inflammation of the gut wall that other multi-dose treatments may cause (3). In addition, Moxidectin is licensed for persistent activity against small redworm over two weeks, killing larvae ingested as the horse grazes for up to two weeks after treatment.

Ben Gaskell, Pfizer's veterinary advisor said: "A responsible and sustainable worming programme involves good pasture management, regular diagnostic tests and targeted worming, carefully planned using specialist advice. However, it is also vital to remember the danger of encysted small redworm. Even if a horse's FEC is clear, there could still be a significant encysted small redworm burden that must be treated properly every year in late autumn / early winter."

1) Bairden K. et al (2001) Veterinary Record 148, 138-141
2) Dowdall S.M.J. et al (2002) Veterinary Parasitology 106, 225‑242
3) Steinbach T. et al (2006) Veterinary Parasitology 139, 115‑131

Plans to improve European horse transport to be announced at BEVA Congress

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:02:00 GMT

BEVA President, Madeleine Campbell will be announcing plans for a veterinary-led European Transport Forum at BEVA Congress this year (8-11 September 2010), to discuss how the welfare of horses during transport can be improved through the better enforcement of legislation.

Dr Campbell is also the British Veterinary Association representative on the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) working party for transport. The Forum, which will be held in Brussels on 29 November 2010, has been jointly organised by the FVE and BEVA and is sponsored by World Horse Welfare (WHW). It is hoped that it will be attended by over 150 participants, including representatives of EU Member States, CVOs, Members of the European Commission and European Parliament, scientific experts, national veterinary organisations, animal transport associations and animal welfare associations.

The Forum will review the enforcement of the existing European regulations that currently govern the transport of horses for slaughter and for other purposes. Areas for practical improvement will be identified with the key focus on the enforcement of current legislation and the role of vets in ensuring that the welfare of horses in transit is protected. The conference will endeavour to define the critical control points, effective control systems and good practices. It will also look into trade flows, animal health risks, horse identification and the effects of closing horse slaughterhouses.

Dr Campbell said: "It is all very well to campaign for new regulations but at present even the existing regulations are not being enforced adequately. The crux of the matter is enforcement and there are none better placed to help with this than vets. If we can all work collectively we should have the strength to make a real impact. This is what the Forum is about."

Dr Campbell will be speaking about the European Transport Forum at the Congress press conference on 10 September between 9am and 10am.

BEVA Congress runs from 8-11 September 2010 at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham. For further information and to register visit http://www.beva.org.uk/

Equistro Kerabol Biotin replaces Biometh Z

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:14:00 GMT

Vetoquinol is introducing Equistro Kerabol Biotin, a complementary feeding stuff for horses which the company says can help maintain healthy hoof and hair growth when used daily. Equistro Kerabol Biotin will replace Biometh Z and will be automatically...(read more)

CEVA trial confirms efficacy of Tiludronate for the treatment of bone spavin

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:03:00 GMT

CEVA Animal Health has published a trial which, according to the company, shows that horses suffering lameness caused by bone spavin can show marked improvement following treatment with a Tiludronate infusion, in combination with controlled exercise....(read more)

Pfizer creates dedicated equine business unit

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:24:00 GMT

Pfizer Animal Health has launched a dedicated Equine Business Unit to provide a higher level of service and a comprehensive range of products to equine vets across the UK.

Created following the merger with Fort Dodge, the Pfizer Equine Business Unit is headed by Ben Lacey MA Vet MB MRCVS, who has previously held both technical and sales roles at Pfizer. Ben and his team have a brief to offer a breadth of product, support and flexibility not previously available to equine vets.

The product range offered by the Pfizer Equine Business Unit includes the Equest range of parasiticides; the Duvaxyn vaccines for Equine Herpes Virus, West Nile Virus and Rotavirus and products such as Equimidineand Torbugesic. Also offered are existing Pfizer brands such as the Equip vaccine range, the antibiotic Excenel Sterile Powder, the NSAID Rimadyl for Horses and Depo-MedroneV.

Five experienced account managers with a strong track record in the equine sector have been appointed by Pfizer to build relationships with equine vet practices on a regional basis. They are:

South East England                            Mark Baker
West Midlands, Cheshire, Wales        Laurie May
East Anglia, East Midlands                 Penny McCann
South West, South Wales                   Anna Cunningham
The North, Scotland                            Alexandra Cox

Ben Lacey said: "Building our new team and combining the highly regarded products offered previously by both Fort Dodge and Pfizer has proved a stimulating process. We've also worked closely with many of our existing practice customers to look at how we can develop the service we provide to them.

"We're now able to offer a product range which I believe is unrivalled in the market and a highly committed team of equine professionals, who share a vision and passion for equine health. We're looking forward to building our business with both existing and new customers in the months ahead."

Free fluid therapy calculators

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:21:00 GMT

Dechra Veterinary Products has launched free online Fluid Therapy Calculators to help veterinary staff calculate their patients' fluid requirements. There are two versions available, small animal and equine. Both are available as an online tool or...(read more)

Janssen launches new equine sedative gel

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:46:00 GMT

Janssen Animal Health has launched Domosedan Gel, an oromucosal gel for the sedation of horses. Janssen says Domosedan Gel, which contains 7.6 mg/ml (40mcg/kg) detomidine, induces sedation and analgesia with the efficacy and recovery comparable to Domosedan...(read more)

Equine strangles vaccine returns to Europe

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:29:00 GMT

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has announced that it is re-introducing Equilis StrepE, the only strangles vaccine for horses in Europe. The vaccine was voluntarily withdrawn from the market in 2007 for stability reasons. Equilis StrepE, which...(read more)

New entrant to the UK veterinary pharmaceuticals market

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Eurovet Animal Health Ltd has entered the UK veterinary pharmaceuticals market with a portfolio of products including a levothyroxine tablet for the treatment of canine hypothyroidism, injectables for cattle and pigs, a xylazine injection for use in cattle...(read more)

New palatable equine joint nutrient supplement

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:21:00 GMT

Alstoe Animal Health has introduced a new, palatable joint nutrient supplement for horses. According to the company, the benefits of feeding equine joint nutrient supplements to assist with maintaining mobility and supporting health joint function has...(read more)

ECM launches portable ultrasound device

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:54:00 GMT

ECM, a French manufacturer of ultrasound devices, has launched Exago, a new mobile veterinary ultrasound device which the company says is particularly suited for use with horses and pets. ECM says the main features of the new device are: Uses the latest...(read more)

New equine influenza alert service for vets

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:07:00 GMT

From 1st March vets can sign up to be alerted to all recorded equine influenza cases in the UK, thanks to a new service from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and Merial Animal Health. Tell Tail is the UK's first equine influenza (EI) text alert service...(read more)

VetSurgeon.org welcomes the Veterinary Wound Healing Association

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:41:00 GMT

The Veterinary Wound Healing Association (VWHA) has become the third veterinary association to make a new home on VetSurgeon.org . VWHA President Jacintha Wilmink said: "We're very excited about joining VetSurgeon.org and how it will allow our...(read more)