The Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) has launched a free practice hygiene audit tool.

The BMF Practice Hygiene Self Audit is a web-based assessment tool that allows staff to monitor cleanliness across the practice – from theatre and prep rooms to laundry and waiting rooms.

The tick sheet format allows staff to rate the hygiene protocols in each area, resulting in a room-by-room percentage hygiene score, as well as an overall contamination risk score.

The tool was developed by vet and RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) expert Pam Mosedale and VN lecturer Louise O'Dwyer, along with Edinburgh academic Tim Nuttall and Chris Laurence.

Pam said: "Given the relaunch of the PSS later in the year, which will include new modules on infection control, the BMF audit tool is especially timely.

"We hope that people will try the audit tool and it will lead them to have more of a team discussion about hygiene routines and protocols in practice. We know some areas get more attention than others - for example, how often do things like the toys in the waiting area really get cleaned?

“By using the audit, staff will easily be able to see what rooms/areas might need a bit more cleaning.

She added: "It's a simple no-frills tool but the whole idea is for it to be helpful and easy to use, so more practices are encouraged to have regular quantifiable monitoring systems in place to keep an eye on their hygiene protocols."

Co-creator Louise O'Dwyer said: “The BMF Practice Hygiene Self Audit will help ensure often overlooked aspects of cleaning and infection control are considered and implemented.

“It needs to be embraced by all members of staff, from non-clinical staff through to veterinary surgeons, as every individual has the potential to make an impact within their practice by taking action on infection control.”

To test the tool and see how clean your practice is, go to: www.thebellamossfoundation.com/practice-hygiene-self-audit 

BEVA is marking Antimicrobial Awareness Week with an antimicrobial webinar for all equine vets on 24th November at 8:00pm.

Bruce Bladon will describe current antibiotic use in equine practice, Victoria South will consider the use of Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials, and Bettina Dunkel will describe strategies to reduce antimicrobial use.

The webinar is free for both members and non-members.

To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7016678281618/WN__XNTbcxoQ2K1mXUGOIVL_g 

Photo: Safia Barakzai, Equine Surgeon

Purina has announced it is hosting a two-hour CPD symposium on Friday 3rd April at BSAVA Congress looking at how diet can be used to reduce the allergens shed by cats.

Speakers at the event will include Andrew Sparkes, BVetMed, PhD, DipECVIM, MANZCVS, MRCVS (pictured right) and Ebenezer Satyaraj, PhD.

BSAVA Congress delegates can register for the free symposium, which also includes lunch, at www.tickettailor.com/events/purina/349478.

Libby Sheridan, MVB MRCVS, Purina Veterinary Technical Affairs Manager, said: "Veterinary professionals often see the consequences of sensitivities to cat allergens  - which for some, it may even mean relinquishment of the pet with all the emotion attached around that event. This symposium will focus on the consequences for cat welfare and how the profession can help support their cat-owning clients through a breakthrough approach."

The new approach is based on neutralising the major cat allergen in cats' saliva, Fel d 1, through feeding a cat food coated with an egg product ingredient containing anti-Fel d 1 antibodies.

This, says the company, helps to reduce the active allergen transferred to hair and dander during grooming, and ultimately helps reduce active Fel d 1 in the environment.

Dr Sparkes is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the founding and current co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the official journal of ISFM and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. He will be sharing his review of the literature around feline relinquishment.

Dr. Satyaraj is a member of the American Association of Immunologists and the American Veterinary Immunology Association and a reviewer for several journals including the British Journal of Nutrition and Arthritis & Rheumatism. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Science in St Louis and a leading scientist at the Purina Institute. Dr Satyaraj will be focusing on the studies supporting this important area of research.

The symposium provides 1.5 hours of certified CPD. More information about the science is available at www.purinainstitute.com.

CPD Solutions has launched Advance25, a series of interactive, tutor-supported courses. 

Advance25 Courses provide 25 hours of CPD in important areas of small animal practice, including Small Animal Medicine Cases Challenges, Emergency Medicine, Abdominal Ultrasound and Thoracic and Abdominal Radiology.

Advance25 courses run for a 6 week period, with tutor support. Recorded and live sessions are combined with discussion of multiple cases. Course materials are then accessible for 12 months.

Susie Coughlan, Managing Director of CPD Solutions said: "We appreciate that there is a high demand for quality online options at the moment, with many vets limited to online CPD.

"With the new Advance25 courses we’ve added more tutor support and ongoing interaction for those who are looking for a more immersive experience providing extended CPD hours. We’re really excited about these courses, which are launching now and running in the autumn. They should help vets make a real difference in their practices; they’re fully flexible and will fit with many people’s family and work commitments.’

For more information and to enter a prize draw to win a free Advance25 course, visit: https://www.cpd-solutions.com/advance25 

CVS Equine practices are undertaking a collaborative clinical study to improve our understanding about the clinical signs and aetiology of equine pastern dermatitis (EPD).

Despite being a common disease, CVS says very little research has been undertaken into EPD in the UK.

In addition, numerous different treatments are currently used for EPD, for which there is not always robust scientific evidence.

The CVS study, which started in 2022 and will continue till early 2024, involves 20 practices.

Samples have been collected from over 70 cases from horses that have been diagnosed by EPD throughout the UK.

Full blood profiles have been assessed, in addition to bacterial culture analysis of the lesions, PCR analysis for dermatophytes (ringworm fungi), microscopy for ectoparasites (mites) and skin cytology.

An owner questionnaire has also been completed to gather information on EDP management.

Each horse’s lesions have been graded and descriptive data relating to the lesions were recorded.

Data collection is now complete and a team of researchers, led by vet Manuela Diaz Ramos, has started analysing the data.

A full report on the findings, along with treatment and management recommendations, is expected to be presented at a scientific conference later this year. 

Your Vet Specialist, the public face of the British College of Veterinary Specialists (BCVSp), has launched a series of podcasts for animal owners, available via Apple.

In the first episode of the series, BCVSp Trustee James Swann speaks to Dr Rosanne Jepson about dialysis in dogs and cats. A specialist in internal medicine in dogs and cats, Dr Jepson explains why dialysis might be needed in pets for treatment of kidney disease and whether it's ethical to do this treatment in animals.

In episode two BCVSp trustee Celia Marr speaks to James Wood, Professor of Equine and Farm Animal Science at the University of Cambridge about zoonotic diseases and their importance for animal and human health in Africa.

BCVSp trustee Myra Forster-van Hijfte, who is responsible for Your Vet Specialist’s public outreach programme, said: "Podcasts are a great addition to our website, giving animal owners a convenient and highly engaging way to learn more about the Veterinary Specialist’s role. The advantage of audible platforms is that they enable content to be accessed more or less wherever you are or what you are doing. We hope our listeners will enjoy our first series as much as the team did making them."

The BCVSp says the podcasts are also designed to be a useful resource for primary practitioners to direct their clients to for more information on specific topics.

Fort Dodge Animal Health has announced it is working with the authorities to put measures in place to make its West Nile Virus vaccine, licensed in the United States, available to the European equine market.  These measures will ensure a vaccine is readily available in the event of an outbreak in the UK. 

This news comes as the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo, the Italian National Reference Centre for Exotic Diseases, has confirmed an outbreak of WNV among horses in stables in the northern province of Ferrara. About 20 horses are believed to have been affected.

Fort Dodge was the first company to develop and fully license a vaccine to protect horses against this potentially deadly disease. An inactivated whole virus vaccine, it was the only vaccine available in the United States at the height of the 2002 outbreak, which affected 15,000 horses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture credited the vaccine with contributing to the 70 per cent decline in U.S. equine West Nile cases since the height of the outbreak. WNV is now considered endemic in all areas of North America.

"As this latest outbreak of WNV in Italy highlights, the disease presents an increasing threat to the equestrian sector in Europe," says Helen Barnes, EMEA Equine Business Manager for Fort Dodge. "With little current natural immunity among the equine population, the consequences of a major outbreak could be devastating."

"Until now, horse owners in Europe have perhaps believed WNV is not a disease they should be concerned with but the outbreak in Ferrara came out of the blue, and at a time when a human case of WNV was also reported in the same province. This situation of both human and equine cases being reported is identical to that seen in the outbreaks in the United States. It's a stark reminder of the challenge this disease poses, particularly as environmental factors, such as global warming and heavy rains threaten to create mass breeding grounds for mosquitoes," says Barnes.

"Our experience with WNV in the United States has given us an exceptional understanding of the disease and the importance of vaccination. We now look forward to working in partnership with the European governments, the EU Commission and the veterinary community across Europe to help build understanding and knowledge of this dangerous emerging disease threat."

A study by Janssen Animal Health has, according to the company, demonstrated that a leading herbal wormer had no demonstrable efficacy against common poultry worms¹.

The trial, done to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Standards, involved 48 chickens that had become naturally infected with three different poultry worms - Capillaria (Hairworm) species, Heterakis gallinarum (Caecal worm) and Ascaridia galii (Large roundworm). The birds were randomly assigned to one of three groups:

A. Flubenvet treated group
B. Herbal wormer treated group
C. Control (untreated) group.

The herbal treatment was administered for 3 days in-feed, as required by the 'on-pack' instructions and Flubenvet was given for 7 days as required on the product data sheet. Droppings were collected from individual birds and group pens at intervals for 2 weeks and examined for the presence of worm eggs

Table 1: Worm Count Summaries

The results showed that very few worm eggs were present after one 7-day treatment with Flubenvet. In contrast, those that had no treatment or the herbal treatment still had hundreds of worm eggs in their droppings, suggesting that there were still many adult egg-laying worms present inside the chickens.

Janssen says poultry keepers who rely on preparations like this particular natural wormer may well be building up problems, as the additional numbers of worm eggs in the environment add to the infection pressure and can result in greater worm burdens for their birds. Birds with high worm burdens are more likely to become ill.

• H. gallinarum - causes mild illness but also acts as a carrier for the microscopic protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis (Blackhead) in turkeys. The eggs of the worm can live for years in soil so this parasite can be difficult to eradicate and re-infection is common unless regular and effective worming is carried out.
• Capillaria - causes malnutrition, emaciation and anaemia in chickens and death in other poultry species.
• Ascaridia gali - causes emaciation, drop in egg production, ill thrift, anaemia, intestinal blockage and death. Occasionally the parasitic worms may be found in chicken eggs. Earthworms are a common intermediate host, particularly likely to result in parasitic infection of free-range poultry when they eat earthworms.

According to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2009 any product making veterinary medicinal claims needs to be licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. A licensed product has to show proven efficacy and safety for the animal species involved. Licensed veterinary medicines can be identified by their Vm number, which is shown on-pack. Products termed 'nutritional supplements', that are not licensed do not require the manufacturer to produce any proof of efficacy or safety. It is often easy to buy such products 'off the shelf' because they are not subject to any controls. Any poultry keeper who cares about the health and welfare of the birds is advised to think carefully about their choice of wormer and to seek advice from a vet pharmacist or Suitably Qualified Person (SQP).

¹ Evaluation of the efficacy of flubendazole in comparison with a herbal wormer in the treatment of naturally acquired infections of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and intestinal Capillaria spp in Chickens, Janssen Animal Health

Novartis Animal Health has announced the results of a survey of dairy and beef farmers which found that 39% of those who found Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) present in their herd did not then go on to test for persistently infected (PI) animals.

Any calf born from a BVD persistently-infected cow will be born Persistently Infected with the virus and cannot be cured. As a result, future vaccination of this animal against the virus is rendered ineffective and the affected animal will be a source of the virus, spreading infection within the herd.

With young cattle being the source of PI's and reservoirs of infection within a herd, failure to test, identify and then deal with PI livestock represents the most significant problem facing the industry when trying to eradicate BVD.

Professor Joe Brownlie from the Royal Veterinary College and current chairman of the BVD Scientific and Technical Working Group, said: "Of the 61% of farmers that did do follow up tests for PI's once BVD had been detected in their herd, one third found one or more PI's within the stock holding.

"However, one third of farmers who identified having active BVD infection in their herd then failed to go on and carry out individual animal testing; of those that did, nearly half discovered one or more individual PI's within their herd".

"It just shows that the disease can be hidden, and farmers could be in the dangerous position of potentially missing PI animals that are in their herd; PI's that can continue to spread the BVD virus amongst other cattle and pass on their PI status to any calves they produce. It is hugely important to be thorough and consistent in your testing as part of an agreed herd health plan"

The survey also indicated that action needs to be taken to educate farmers about what to do once BVD and, most significantly, PI's are discovered amongst a herd. 

Professor Brownlie said: "There is much evidence from this survey to encourage the industry in how it is tackling this disease, however there is still a great need for clear direction.  The survey indicated that 20% of farmers wrongly believe that PI animal's will eventually become non-infective and that 25 % believe that calves born of PI cows will not always have PI calves themselves.

"All of these perceptions are incorrect and can lead to reservoirs of the disease being allowed to remain not only within individual herds, but geographical regions as well; seriously hindering the eradication of the virus in England and Wales".

With nearly half of farmers saying that they talked to vets - their main source of information about BVD - only once or less a year, Professor Brownlie said it is unsurprising that many farmers did not show a greater understanding of BVD beyond biological side effects present in the infected cattle: "About 50% of farmers surveyed were unsure as to what types of tests need to be carried out to detect the infection in their livestock and 32% of respondents were unaware that correct vaccination of livestock against BVD can protect both the cow and unborn calf".

Novartis says that while BVD is still regarded by farmers as one of the top bovine diseases, other health issues such as mastitis and tuberculosis are given much greater attention. This lack of focus on BVD is exacerbated by the lack of sound information of the financial implications of the infection on their herd. 

Professor Brownlie said: "The side effects of BVD appear to be overlooked in financial terms, but the infection can severely hinder a herd's financial productivity due to poor health, reduced milk yield and loss of reproductive efficiency.  

Caroline Dawson from Novartis Animal Health said:"Perhaps by aiding understanding of the financial cost of the virus, we can encourage farmers to take more proactive steps to combat BVD. As such, I am pleased to announce that that the FAB panel has initiated a follow on project to carry out detailed research with regards to the financial impact of BVD on farms and is due to report findings in the new year". 

(Photograph shows, left to right, James Russell MRCVS (McMurtry & Harding), Caroline Dawson (Novartis Animal Health), Tony Brooks (Brighthams Farm), Professor Joe Brownlie(RCVS)

A new study published this month in the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ)¹ has concluded that toxins from the seeds of the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) are the likely cause of Atypical Myopathy (AM) in Europe.

However, to avoid confusion, the authors of the study point out that the American Sycamore (also just called 'the sycamore' in the USA), is a completely different species: Platanus occidentalis. Furthermore, the sycamore found in the UK is also known as the sycamore maple in other countries.

The new research follows on the heels of a study in the USA earlier this year that linked toxins from the box elder tree (Acer negundo) with Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM), the US equivalent of AM². The discovery marks an important step for the future prevention of this fatal disease.

Atypical Myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease in the UK and Northern Europe. In ten years, approximately twenty European countries have reported the disease. Incidences tend to occur repeatedly in the autumn and in the spring following large autumnal outbreaks. Horses that develop AM are usually kept in sparse pastures with an accumulation of dead leaves, dead wood and trees in or around the pasture and are often not fed any supplementary hay or feed. SPM is a very similar disorder, prevalent in Midwestern USA and Eastern Canada that is now known to be caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, contained in seeds from the box elder tree.

The new European research¹ was conducted by an international team led by Dominic Votion, University of Liege and involved 17 horses from Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands, suffering from Atypical Myopathy. High concentrations of a toxic metabolite of hypoglycin A, were identified in the serum of all of the horses. The pastures of 12 of the horses were visited by experienced botanists and the Acer pseudoplatanus, the sycamore maple, was found to be present in every case. This was the only tree common to all visited pastures.

Researchers believe hypoglycin A is the likely cause of both AM in Europe and SPM in North America. The sycamore and the box elder are known to produce seeds containing hypoglycin A and the pastures of the afflicted horses in Europe and the USA were surrounded by these trees.

Hypoglycin-A is found in various levels in the seeds of plants in the genus Acer as well as in various other genera in the family Sapindaceae such as ackee (Blighia sapida).  In ackee, hypoglycin-A levels do vary with ripeness of the fruit and, if the fruit is eaten before it is mature, it causes hypoglycaemia to different degrees including a condition called "Jamaican vomiting sickness" (because of ackee's use in Jamaican cooking) and occasionally death in humans.

Researchers at the Universities of Minnesota² and Liege are continuing their work to try to uncover exactly how the equine disease occurs. Dr Adrian Hegeman of University of Minnesota said: "It is likely that the most important contributing factors to horses becoming poisoned by hypoglycin-A are the availability of seed in the field combined with lack of other feeding options. The seeds from two species of maples (box elder and sycamore maples) that we have tested include significant quantities of hypoglycin-A.

"We know that seeds contain highly variable quantities from seed to seed, even within a single tree. We do not know yet how hypoglycin-A levels vary seasonally, nor do we know how its abundance varies with different levels of stress to the plant, though this may well explain seasonal variability in the occurrence of the malady. It is possible that conditions that stress the plants may contribute to significant seasonal changes in hypoglycin-A levels.  At this point we just don't know.  It is common held knowledge that trees under stress usually produce more seed."

Dr Jeff Gillman of University of Minnesota said: "Without question, further analysis of the seeds and other tissues from Acer species needs to be performed along with sampling of plant materials over multiple seasons and at various stress levels. Additionally, one cannot rule out more complex explanations for the seasonality of disease occurrence such as: animals may begin feeding on seed materials in response to depletion of more palatable choices under drought conditions; or simple explanations such as high wind events driving seeds into fields. These sorts of explanations for the occurrence of the disease do not depend on botanical variations in toxicity across seasons, sites or stress levels, yet also require consideration.

"Although limited examples are available, the experience of animals at a pasture site might also confer some degree of behavioral resistance to poisoning due to exposure at sub-lethal levels with prior exposure to seeds in the pasture."

Professor Celia Marr, Editor of Equine Veterinary Journal said: "This is an important advancement in our understanding of what causes AM and how it can be prevented. In immediate practical terms owners can take prompt measures to avoid exposing their horses to sycamore seeds this autumn. Where horses are grazing in the vicinity of sycamore trees, it is imperative that they are provided with sufficient supplementary feed as this will minimise the risk that horses might be tempted to ingest seeds containing this toxin. This must be done carefully and leaving wet hay on the ground should be avoided so providing extra carbohydrate feeds may be more practical."

References

1. The European study can be accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.12117/abstract
2. Related research from the University of Minnesota can be accessed at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00684.x/abstract

Grahame Gardner has launched 'Smitten', a new range of scrubwear for women with a 20% introductory discount.

The company says the new range incorporates the influence of streetwear, resulting in a relaxed scrubwear collection which young and style conscious staff will love.

The fabrics used in the new range have been designed for the working environment. The first fabric to be launched to the UK market is 'Miracle' a stretchable and comfortable fabric which Grahame Gardner says feels great to the touch, but wears well and complements the fashionable garment styles.

James Greenlees, Managing Director at Grahame Gardner said: "There is no question that Scrubwear has come a long way over the past decade and at Grahame Gardner we have played a major part in this evolution, firstly with the hugely popular Urbane Scrubs and now Smitten. Smitten represents the next incarnation of scrubwear, and allows more individuality than ever before within healthcare uniforms. We cannot wait to get this out into the workplace as we know it will certainly make a real impact with our customers."

More information can be found at www.grahamegardner.co.uk, under scrubs and patientwear within the GG Collection.

Veterinary surgeons are being called on to help recruit dogs for a clinical study called EPIC - the Evaluation of Pimobendan In dogs with Cardiomegaly caused by pre-clinical mitral valve disease (MVD).

The long-term study, which is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, will assess whether using pimobendan in the pre-clinical phase of MVD has a benefit in extending the time to the onset of clinical signs. It involves 36 centres globally with the aim of recruiting 360 dogs in total.  In order for dogs to be eligible for the study they must: 

• have a moderate to high intensity systolic heart murmur due to mitral valve disease
• have radiographic evidence of cardiomegaly (Vertebral Heart Score (VHS) > 10.5)
• be at least six years of age
• weigh between 4.1kg and 15kg
• have not been on, nor have previously chronically received, any prescription medication for their cardiac disease
• be in good general health, with no other conditions that may have an impact on their expected lifespan (certain medications are allowed to be used concurrently).

The three veterinary cardiologists from the UK involved in the randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group study are Adrian Boswood MA VetMB DipECVIM-ca DVC MRCVS from the Royal Veterinary College (the RVC) in Hertfordshire, Sarah Smith MA VetMB DVC MRCVS from Sarah Smith Cardiology in Derbyshire and Mark Patteson MA VetMB, PhD DVC CertVR MRCVS from Heart Vets at Vale Referrals, Gloucestershire.

Adrian Boswood, veterinary cardiologist from RVC said: "The implications of this study for dogs and their owners could be enormous. If the research shows that pimobendan is effective before clinical signs of MMVD appear, this could lead to a new treatment option for practitioners."

For further information on the study or if you have a dog that may be suitable for the trial, please contact the nearest study investigator - Adrian Boswood on 01707 666605, Sarah Smith on 07515 359241 or Mark Patteson on 01453 547934.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on the profession to support pet owners in choosing a healthy, sustainable diet for their cats and dogs.

The association says that its research has found that 94% of companion animal vets say they have clients who feed a raw diet, 42% who feed meat-free diets and 29% who feed insect-protein in place of meat.

However, 6 in 10 vets are unsure how many of the cats and dogs they see are fed meat-free diets.

In a new policy position, the BVA is now urging vets to talk to all cat and dog owners about what they feed their pet, and record nutritional histories and any resulting issues on their practice systems.

BVA President Anna Judson said: “We know that owners of cats and dogs are increasingly drawn to pet diets that reflect their own personal values and lifestyle choices, and this is leading to a surge in alternative approaches to pet food.

"We support owners making informed choices about what to feed their pets, but they must be aware that these choices play a pivotal role in the health of the animal and can also have a wider impact on human health and environmental sustainability.

“One of the key issues in these conversations is the lack of long-term, evidence-based research.

"If vet teams are to maintain our position as the ‘trusted voice’ in these conversations, it’s vital that we ask the right questions and also record as much data as possible so that we can understand the long-term impact of some of these newer diets.”

The BVA says its new policy position is not trying to dictate the ‘best’ diet for individual pets but to support pet owners in meeting their pets’ nutritional needs as well as meeting their own lifestyle choices.

The BVA is also recommending changes to veterinary education to include a new emphasis on the importance of nutrition in day one competencies for vets and nurses, and improved awareness of the need for supportive conversations with animal owners.

To support the profession, the BVA says it will create a new public facing resource and lobby for better labelling of pet food and better labelling and traceability of the animal by-products that represent one of the major sources of protein in many cat and dog foods.

Anna added: “The issues around pet food are complex and with so much information available to pet owners from breeders, friends, online forums and other sources, we want to support all members of the vet team to feel fully confident in guiding their clients through dietary decisions.

"We hope that these recommendations and our upcoming resources will improve the information available to both clients and vets, supporting owners to make healthy, informed choices for their pets.”

https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/diet-choices-for-cats-and-dogs