The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh has awarded its 2007 Marbocyl Achievement Award to Geoff Culshaw, BVMS, CertVC, MRCVS, Head of the School’s small animal cardiology unit, and Diane MacDonald, VN, Head Nurse in the Hospital for Small Animals.

Research on ovine parasite Toxoplasma gondii, carried out at the University of Salford, could have a significant economic impact on the sheep farming industry - potentially saving the lives of 5% of the UK lamb population.

Postgraduate student Emma Morley has been working as part of a large research team, looking at the importance of transmission routes of T. gondii (the cause of the disease toxoplasmosis) within different mammalian groups.  

A scholarship from the Perry Foundation, which funds research benefiting the farming industry, allowed Emma to launch her own study at the School of Environment & Life Sciences.

Salford parasitologist Professor Geoff Hide said: "Emma's research may have some significant impacts on sheep farming.  Nearly 5% of lambs are lost to Toxoplasma in the UK so it's of major economic importance as well as an important animal welfare issue."

He said that one of the key things Emma's research has shown is that the advice currently given to farmers may be causing an increase in the level of the disease rather than controlling it. "Farmers are advised to breed from ewes that have lost lambs to Toxoplasma but Emma's results show that what farmers should be doing is breeding from ewes that do not have the parasite," he said.

Animal Aspirations, a national student-led organisation dedicated to improving ethnic and socioeconomic diversity within animal-related careers, celebrated its fifth birthday this week.

The group was set up in 2019 by veterinary students Stephanie Stapleton and Lavinia Economu, to break down barriers and promote veterinary careers to young people, in part by becoming the role models they wished they’d had in school.

It also aims to correct misconceptions about what vets do, the pathway to becoming a vet and the various job options available in animal-related careers.

Over the years, Animal Aspirations has evolved to provide positive role models and practical advice to diverse students of all ages across the country, with a focus on supporting those from an ethnic minority or on Free School Meals through its school workshops.

It has expanded from nine students at the RVC to a team of 83 students.

The organisation also now has a presence across several leading institutions, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Surrey, Harper Adams University, Keele University and the University of Central Lancashire.  

Lavinia said: “I’ve always lived and gone to school in Greater London, and so I was used to being surrounded by people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

"Once I started my veterinary degree, this was no longer the case, as few students came from diverse or ethnic minority backgrounds.

"This pattern seemed to be the same in all vet schools and even the veterinary profession, but there were very few if any, initiatives to address it.

“During my intercalated year at the RVC, I was lucky enough to meet Stephanie Stapleton, another vet student who also shared my passion for increasing diversity in veterinary medicine.

"She introduced me to the Widening Participation team at the RVC, and together, we recruited an amazing group of vet students, and Animal Aspirations was born.

“I truly think this is one of the best professions to be in, and I’d like to see it become more accessible and inclusive to all young people, no matter their background.”

Lharanya Somasundaram, President of Animal Aspirations, said: “It has been incredible to see the impact of our work, how misconceptions that once served as barriers are being challenged, and how young people feel more empowered to pursue their dreams.

“However, there is still much work to be done. The goal is to create such a diverse and inclusive environment that it can sustain itself and the support we provide is the norm. This only becomes possible when everyone, regardless of experience, position or background, is committed to championing diversity.

“We should all be thinking about how we can make ourselves and our workplaces more inclusive.

"With these combined efforts, we get closer to a profession where everyone feels as though they truly belong.”

https://www.animalaspirations.com 

This is the call to Government from an industry-wide stakeholder group that has joined forces and vowed to do everything in its power to stamp out the disease which is seeing upwards of 28,000 cattle a year culled.

The industry stakeholder group has put its name to an eight-point statement of agreement following the non-decision announced by the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, on dealing with bTB.

Included in the eight points is a call for an independent body to take on the future decision making for animal health; a commitment of non-participation in the TB Partnership Group as announced by the Secretary of State; and an industry policy of non-participation in discussions on cost sharing and responsibility on animal health and welfare issues.

The NFU, which hosted the stakeholder meeting, has been heartened by a report, also out today, from the Efra select committee on badgers and cattle TB which says the Government is playing down the serious nature of bovine TB. In its response the committee, chaired by the Rt Hon Michael Jack MP, says:

• there is little in the Government’s strategy to tackle the disease in the short term and this is not good enough;
• the Government is opting out of leadership on the issue and subcontracting important decisions with high cost implications to the Bovine TB Partnership Group;
• the Government has chosen to put all its eggs in one basket by focusing its energies and funding on the long-term goal of developing cattle and badger vaccines when it is unlikely a badger vaccine will be available before 2014 and a cattle vaccine before 2015.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: “The industry feels let down and angered by the Government’s abdication of responsibility around this devastating disease. We have been left with no choice but to walk away from any attempt by Government to validate their ‘policy’ decision and pass responsibility for controlling this disease to the already beleaguered cattle sector. The Efra committee’s report reinforces both the fact that the Government has made the wrong decision and the need for something to be done now rather than waiting for vaccines to become available years down the line which will be too late for many farmers whose businesses are being decimated by this disease. The Efra report recognises the value of the VLA9 culling proposal put together by the NFU and other industry bodies for the South West of England. Hilary Benn has been invited to meet the people involved with VLA9 but has declined to do so which, given the hard work that has been put in on the plan, is very disappointing.”

CEVA Animal Health has joined forces with PDSA, Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) to launch a ‘Remember, remember your pets this November' campaign to provide owners with hints and tips on how to look after their pets during the firework season and the precautions they should take to help them cope with their fear of fireworks. As part of this year's campaign, CEVA will again be running the ‘Promote Your Practice' competition, to help practices get the most out of PR and marketing opportunities in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Lucy Brett, product manager at CEVA Animal Health said: "Nearly 90 per cent of veterinary professionals believe that owners could do more to protect their pets from the stress of fireworks. It is therefore important that veterinary practices provide pet owners with the best advice on how to prepare their pets for Bonfire Night and ensure that the firework season is as stress free as possible."

Vets are being urged to discuss behavioural modification programs for noise phobic pets well in advance of Bonfire Night and to recommend that dog owners create comforting ‘dens' for their pets. The benefit of the dens should be maximised by plugging D.A.P.^® Diffusers in the rooms where the dogs usually retreat when frightened. Switching the D.A.P. ^® Diffuser on around a week before Bonfire Night will allow the pheromone to build up to significant levels and ensure the animal is as relaxed as possible before, during and after the firework season. In addition, D.A.P.^® Spray can be applied to a dog's bedding to give further support on the night of the event. D.A.P.^® is also available in a collar formulation, designed to reduce the dog's general level of stress.

Cats appear generally more capable of managing their fears. However, owners should ensure that cats can access their favourite boltholes and plugging in a Feliway^® Diffuser 48 hours before the festivities will increase the sense of security.

To request a copy of the Promote Your Practice information pack, please call Lucy Brett at CEVA on 01494 781510.

Research from Bristol University confirms that Angiostrongylus vasorum is spreading in the UK, with 16 per cent of dogs involved in a recent study testing positive for the parasite’s larvae.

The nationwide survey, funded by the RCVS Trust and Novartis Animal Health, was set up to determine the geographical distribution and typical presentation of angiostrongylosis in UK dogs and to elucidate risk factors for infection. The findings are based on examination of 630 faecal samples from dogs (500 sick and 130 healthy) around the country which presented in practice with a wide range of clinical signs for which there was no other obvious diagnosis.

"We received faecal samples from dogs with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, bleeding, neurological and gastrointestinal disorders," explained Eric Morgan, Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Research Group, University of Bristol School of Biological Sciences. "We also received samples from a smaller number of apparently healthy dogs and examined all of them in the laboratory using the Baermann’s test. The sample was analysed alongside an accompanying questionnaire that recorded history, clinical signs and the vet’s index of suspicion that A. vasorum was the cause of the disease."

More than half (60 per cent) of the dogs that were positive displayed respiratory signs, including coughing. The next most common signs were cardiovascular (including syncope, lethargy and exercise intolerance). The most widespread combination of clinical signs was respiratory and cardiovascular. However, several dogs also presented with haemorrhagic signs and no respiratory involvement, and a wide spectrum of other signs such as diarrhoea, lameness and neurological disease.

Eric said: "Angiostrongylus vasorum is a great imitator and our research proves it can present in a wide variety of ways. Prompt diagnosis is vital but relies heavily on vets being aware of A. vasorum involvement. They should be especially suspicious of dogs that are coughing, lethargic, prone to collapse and presented in practice with unexplained bleeding."

Geographical extent
Due to the survey relying on voluntary vet involvement, there was a strong bias in the regions represented, with high numbers of samples coming from South Wales and Surrey. Eric said: "Although these are known hot spots for A. vasorum, there were also positive samples from across southern England demonstrating that the parasite is much more widespread than we previously thought. It’s important that vets outside of the known endemic areas regard this disease as a real threat, to ignore it because you believe dogs outside these areas are not at risk would be a very dangerous assumption indeed. You could already be missing cases."

Risk factors
The most significant risk factor was age, with younger dogs more likely to be infected although cases were found in dogs up to 11 years old. “The age profile of positive cases did not vary by region, suggesting that there is no significant build-up of immunity in the dog population,” Eric continues. "Several dogs became re-infected which also suggests that strong immunity does not develop following infection."

More than 40 breeds were represented in the survey with Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers more commonly infected than other breeds. However, when considered alongside all the other risk factors the difference was not significant. "There are certainly no breeds which are resistant to infection, all of them can get it and are therefore at risk!"

Dogs that had not been wormed in the past six months were more likely to be positive (17 per cent of these were positive) than those dogs that had been regularly wormed (12 per cent). "It’s important to realise that even in dogs that are regularly wormed, incidence is still high," concludes Eric. "Vets should pay particularly attention to the worming regimes that they routinely recommend and ensure that the products they prescribe have some activity against A. vasorum. They should also be prepared to consider A.vasorum as a diagnosis even in dogs that are routinely wormed. What we have to remember is that this is a tough worm to get rid of and one we need to take seriously if we are to prevent its spread."

The Royal Mail has launched Dog Awareness Week (15th-19th July) to raise awareness of dog attacks on Royal Mail's postmen and women, and appeal to dog owners to keep animals under control when the postman calls.

The Royal Mail says dog attacks are a significant hazard faced by postmen and women on a daily basis. Attacks rise during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden, or out onto the street without restraints.

Since April 2011, there have been over 5,500 attacks on Royal Mail postmen and women, some leading to a permanent disabling injury. Attacks have resulted in the loss of 4,100 working days due to injuries.

Whilst the number of attacks has fallen by 24% nationally since 2011, over 2,400 postmen and women were still attacked by dogs in the year ending April 2013.

Currently, legal protection against attacks by dogs does not extend 'beyond the garden gate'. This is a particular problem for postmen and women, who each visit hundreds of private addresses every day on their delivery rounds. The Royal Mail says it welcomes the Government's commitment to amend the previous legislation to ensure its postmen and women will be protected when they enter private property, including gardens.

Shaun Davis, Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Royal Mail Group said: "For the first time, we are holding a Dog Awareness Week working with the CWU, animal charities and organisations to raise awareness of the problems our postmen and women face daily when they are delivering the mail.

"We are delighted to be supported by a wide range of organisations and animal charities including Dogs Trust, DEFRA, Blue Cross, Wood Green, and the Association of Dog Wardens.

"We have held a number of previous one day campaigns and the awareness of the issue of dog attacks is growing. Last year the number of dog attacks on our people fell. However there  were still over 2,400 incidents and we need to reduce this number further as even one dog attack on our people is one dog attack too many.

"Clearly most dogs are not inherently dangerous, however, even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels its territory is being threatened. Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers  and we appeal to owners to keep their pets under control, especially if they know their pets have a territorial nature."

Ricochet, one of the UK's leading TV production companies, is on the hunt for dogs with unique personality traits or unusual talents for a forthcoming ITV television documentary.

The hour long programme will look into the characteristics, heritage and personality traits of the most popular dogs in the UK. It'll revolve around dog owners and the extraordinary stories they have about their pets.

Ricochet says it is looking in particular for funny, heart-warming or poignant tales highlighting the bond between dogs and their owners - dogs with unique personality traits or unusual talents, and dogs which have performed amazing feats or changed lives.

If you have an extraordinary dog, or think a client might like to take part, call the Assistant Producer, Beth, on 01273 224800 or email: dogbreeds@ricochet.co.uk

A new study of 1,000 children aged between nine and 10 years old, conducted by Mars Petcare in conjunction with the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition and The University of Liverpool, with partners Liverpool John Moore's University and Liverpool City Council, has revealed the depth of the bond between children and their pets.

The research revealed that:

• almost 50% of children talk to their pets as they would to their friends
• over 60% of children are greeted by their pets when they come home from school
• over 50% of children head straight for their pets above any other member of the family when arriving back home
• nearly 40% confide in their pets
• 80% children consider their pet a member of their family
• more than a third of children believe their pets understand how they feel.

The research looked at the ownership of a range of pets - including dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, horses and fish - and revealed  that more than 50% of children consider their dog to be their "favourite" pet, followed by cats (15%).

The research also looked at the impact that pets have on children who do not have siblings, showing a strong attachment between single children and their pets. Lead researcher Dr Carri Westgarth from the University of Liverpool's Institute of Infection and Global Health said: "In the absence of siblings, pets offer children the chance to care for and nurture others; a vital skill in a child's learning and development. The youngest siblings in a family also had stronger attachment to their pets which can be attributed to a lack of younger, more dependable siblings to care for. "

Dr. Sandra McCune, Scientific Leader for Human - Animal Interaction at WALTHAM, said: "Pets play a crucial role in the development of children; allowing them to socialise, care for and nurture others. This is particularly important for children who do not have siblings to learn from and play with, and for the youngest siblings in the family who do not have a younger, more dependable sibling to care for. Children often yearn to own a pet and the developmental impact that they have for kids is significant. Not only are they good in terms of exercise and responsibility, but also helping children understand relationships. Playing, taking care of and talking to animals can have a really positive impact on a child's development."

Research published online in the Veterinary Record has revealed that one in four dogs competing in Crufts is overweight, despite the perception that entrants are supposed to represent ideal specimens of their breed¹.

The researchers based their findings on 1120 online images of dogs from 28 breeds —- half of which are prone to obesity — that had appeared at Crufts, the largest dog show of its kind in the world.

Only adult dogs that had been placed between first and fifth in their class between 2001 and 2013 were included in the study.

The images were coded and anonymised, and 960 were deemed suitable for assessment. A second person then graded the body condition of each dog in one sitting, using a previously validated method. One in four (252; 26%) was found to be overweight.

Pugs, basset hounds, and Labrador retrievers were the breeds most likely to be assessed as being overweight. Dogs were overweight in 80% of the pug images, 68% of the Basset Hound and 63% of the Labrador images.

The researchers said that the three breeds with the highest prevalence of being overweight among the online images are prone to excess weight. Nevertheless, since pugs were originally bred to be a companion dog, while hounds and Labradors were bred for hunting and fieldwork respectively, being overweight would not be advantageous.

Standard poodles, border terriers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Hungarian vizlas and Dobermanns were the least likely breeds to be overweight.

The prevalence of being overweight among the show dogs was less than that reported generally for pet dogs in the UK. Nevertheless, the researchers say the fact that a quarter were above ideal weight is still a cause for concern: “These dogs showcase the ideal characteristics of the pedigree breed, and there is a danger that widespread media exposure might adversely influence owner perception of optimal body shape.”

The Kennel Club has recently introduced changes in policy for judging criteria, to emphasise characteristics that promote good health in dogs. However, the researchers say that breed standards of optimal condition should be reinforced for competition, to ensure consistency: “Further effort is now required to educate owners, breeders and show judges so that they can all better recognise overweight condition, thus helping to prevent the development of obesity.”

Reference

1. Best in show but not best in shape: a photographic assessment of show dog body condition doi 10.1136/vr.103093