Janssen Animal Health is advising vets to be on the look out for coccidiosis as the spring lambing season approaches: cases usually rise in March and peak in April and May.

According to the company, some reports also suggest that the incidence of coccidiosis in calves may apparently increase during the grazing months. However, vets are reporting that interpretation of laboratory tests used to confirm diagnosis, such as oocyst count, can be problematic due to the ubiquitous nature of the Eimeria parasite in the UK.

Young animals may be infected by oocysts shed by asymptomatic carriers or infected older cohort animals. Low levels of challenge can help young animals develop immunity but exposure to high oocyst numbers, particularly in combination with stress can lead to clinical and subclinical forms of the disease. Diagnosis can be problematic, particularly in subclinical cases of disease where failure to gain weight is the main presenting sign and in clinical cases the differential diagnoses include all causes of scour in young animals.

Janssen Animal Health has suggested a few indicators that may be useful in identifying cases of coccidiosis. The Vecoxan Coccidiosis Survey in 2008 and 2009 asked farmers about their experiences of coccidiosis and identified that bad weather was a major trigger particularly in lambs; while castration and weaning were also factors in calves. As the parasite life cycle is 21 days, vets should be alert to disease 2-3 weeks after a stressor event.

The company has also suggested a few guidelines to aid interpretation of laboratory results:

• Identification of pathogenic Eimeria species can be suggestive but does not provide conclusive evidence of a causative effect.
• Speciation of Eimeria is useful (not easy in lambs) as there are several non-pathogenic strains which can give high counts without clinical effect
• The number of oocysts will not always correlate with clinical signs
• Low levels of oocysts in faeces are less likely to be significant but some animals can die even while excreting at a low level because shedding occurs after the gut damage has already occurred.
• There is extensive replication and multiplication through the parasite lifecycle - susceptible infected animals will usually shed millions or even billions of oocysts.
• Adult animals that are infected but immune tend to excrete oocysts at a regular low level.
• A pooled sample from at least 10 lambs or calves may give a better indication of the level of infection.
• The history of the farm, the individual patient and the presence of risk factors should be taken into account when interpreting results.

Janssen says Vecoxan (diclazuril) does not interfere with the development of immunity and kills all stages of the parasite in the host.

Lantra, the UK Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, has backed a report that addresses veterinary expertise in food animal production.

The 'Unlocking Potential' report, produced by Professor Philip Lowe on behalf of Defra, identifies the potential for veterinarians to increase their role by providing expert advice to the farming and food industries.

Industry Partnership Manager, Lisa Jarvis, said: "Lantra welcomes this report on the farm animal veterinary services, which encourages the discussion of the future of veterinary businesses and services, role of support staff and para-professionals. We are pleased to be recognised alongside Defra, the RCVS, the BVA and the NFU, as a key organisation to drive the development of training and career structures in the industry."

The report highlights that the scale of and demand for veterinary technical services for farm animals and the food sector should be investigated, identifying training needs and obstacles to skills development. This is currently being addressed through Lantra's LandSkills project which is part of the Rural Development Programme for England.

Lantra's National Director for England, Madge Moore, said:  "Through the LandSkills programme, Lantra has already engaged with a number of veterinary practices from across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands to deliver practical courses and farm health plans to eligible farming enterprises.  So far in Yorkshire and Humber vets have run a number of practical poultry courses where farmers have learnt how to carry out post-mortems on their own flock so they can find out if there is a recurring problem which they may need to rectify.  LandSkills West Midlands is also currently recruiting a number of vets in the region to deliver a farm health plan initiative."

Madge continued:  "Working with farmers and vets as part of LandSkills means that we are in a great position to look at the demand of these services whilst highlighting the importance of farmers utilising their vets more effectively by showing them what they can offer. However we also look forward to working with partners in leading the continued progression of the veterinary profession."

For more information about LandSkills and how veterinary surgeons are working with the programme visit www.lantra.co.uk/RDPELandSkills or call 08452 788800.

To view the report visit www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ahws/vservices/index.htm

The BVA is calling on Defra and the APHA to take an innovative approach to capturing farm animal post-mortem data, after its Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey found that 90% of production animal vets now conduct their own PMs.

In 2014, there was a 31% increase in production animal vets carrying out their own PMs following post mortem laboratory closures, yet most vets keep this PM data at their practice, with less than 5% inputting it into a national system such as NADIS, AHT or APHA and less than 1% to a benchmarking group.  

Sean Wensley BVA President said: "We have heard a lot about big data and its positive uses economically and socially. Disease surveillance could be a shining example of where big data and innovative data capture comes into its own. In a global world, where diseases such as Schmallenberg and bluetongue can emerge in our livestock without having previously been seen on these shores, being able to quickly join up the dots of disparate disease data is vital. 

"We understand that Defra and APHA must make difficult choices due to economic pressures and we very much welcome research already utilising post mortem data such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s Fallen Stock Project. What we now need is clear communications and guidance on carcase collection and access to PM examination arrangements together with a determination to see this as an opportunity to innovate, exploring how digital technology can help vets in the field record and capture data that feed into national databases and help us to see the bigger picture."

BVA is asking that all vets affected by laboratory closures are clearly informed about alternative arrangements for carcase collection and PMs, with 63% of vets affected by laboratory closures reporting that carcase collection in their local area was not working well. 

BVA is calling on government and industry to lead in developing new and cost efficient ways to capture and analyse disease and surveillance data, drawing on innovations in digital technology and big data analysis.

Photograph courtesy BVA

The Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity, has announced the launch of a new £10.7m initiative to provide support for a range of activities designed to encourage veterinarians to take up research careers.

The scheme will be run in partnership with the UK's veterinary schools at the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, and the University of Oxford (Laboratory Animal Medicine Component).

The programme will deliver 20 Clinical Research Training Fellows, each with a PhD and a clinical or pathology specialist qualification, as well as number of postdoctoral fellows and clinical doctoral fellows, each with a DVM and specialist postgraduate training in laboratory animal medicine. In addition, leading to these centrepiece awards will be 175 Vacation Scholarships, 175 Intercalation Awards, support for 5 Summer Schools, and 9 one-year Research Entry Scholarships.

To coincide with the announcement of the new programme, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has launched The Impact of Veterinary Research, a brochure to promote the key role that veterinary research plays in our lives.

Bayer Animal Health reports that sales of Drontal have achieved double digit growth following the company's recent advertising campaign. 

The company says its marketing push has been so successful that 83% of cat and dog owners now name Drontal ahead of any other wormer.

Apparently, vet practice waiting room posters are most commonly the way pet owners learn about Drontal, while approximately half of those regularly tuning in to the popular TV series The Dog Whisperer and GMTV were aware of Drontal's sponsorship of the programmes.

Dan White, Drontal's product manager said: "Bayer has invested heavily in advertising Drontal direct to pet owners effectively driving them into veterinary practice and producing accompanying practice support materials such as waiting room posters and wormer reminder cards which have really paid off. Three-quarters of pet owners surveyed stated they last purchased their wormer from their veterinary practice," comments.

"We will continue to support veterinary practices through advertising and sponsorship initiatives to help raise awareness of the importance of regularly worming pets with Drontal and boost sales further."

For further information or to order more Drontal practice support materials, please contact your local Bayer territory manager.

Behavet, a UK veterinary behaviour clinic, has launched Behavet Impact, a free initiative designed to help vets and veterinary nurses deliver early behaviour advice in first-opinion settings.

The scheme gives practices access to a dedicated website hosting short training films showing what to cover in a ten-minute consult for a range of common behaviour problems, alongside owner-facing leaflets and posters.

There's also a handy staff room poster with QR codes linking to the training films so team members can watch them on a coffee break, if they feel so inclined.

Behavet says that limited consultation time, patient insecurity, uncertainty over what advice to offer, and concerns about whether guidance is up to date or worthwhile all influence the level of behaviour support delivered in first-opinion practice.

The company argues this can create a vicious circle in which owners disengage, problems escalate, and specialist help is only sought once issues have become entrenched.

Behavet Impact aims to break that cycle by supporting earlier, more effective intervention.

To date, materials have already been delivered to more than 400 UK veterinary practices within the project’s first three months.

To join the initiative, contact Behavet: https://www.beha.vet 

The RVC is addressing a worldwide shortage of scientists who have the specialist skills necessary for research into the spread of infectious disease with it’s MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology.

According to the RVC, by June 2008, more than 60 countries had been affected by outbreaks of bird flu, resulting in millions of birds dying or being destroyed. A total of 14 countries had suffered human cases by the end of 2007, with a large proportion of cases being fatal. In 2006, bluetongue virus was introduced to Northern Europe and spread rapidly, so that by the end of 2007 over 50,000 outbreaks were reported from cattle and sheep farms in Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany, France and the UK.

“The RVC has seen interest in epidemiology increase dramatically, but there still aren’t enough skilled professionals to service this growing global need.” said Professor Dirk Pfeiffer, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College. “The course provides specialist training that integrates scientific knowledge from microbiology, ecology, social sciences and animal husbandry in order to understand how diseases such as avian flu and bluetongue are spreading.”

“At a time when such diseases are increasing globally it is vital that we have scientists that are able to understand how the infections are spreading and how outbreaks can be contained. The RVC is looking to hear from graduates in veterinary science, biological science, medicine, mathematics or statistics, who are ready to take up the challenge of this fascinating field of study.”

The RVC’s course is unique in that it is taught by 4 organisations; the RVC (animal epidemiology), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (human epidemiology), the Veterinary Laboratories Agency – VLA- (veterinary surveillance and epidemiology), and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Defra - (UK government animal disease surveillance).

The course attracts between 10 and 15 students per year. Successful candidates can move into roles in a variety of UK, European or international governmental organisations such as Defra, the VLA and the World Health Organisation, in addition to the prospect of working in academic or purely research environments.

Funding from the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) has enabled the RVC to offer 4 full-time scholarships for students resident in the UK to study veterinary epidemiology at postgraduate level. The scholarships cover the course fees and upkeep for the year of study, and are between £14,000 and £19,000 per candidate.

More information can be found at: http://www.rvc.ac.uk/postgrad

The badger culls planned to take place in West Somerset and West Gloucestershire this year have been postponed until 2013.

The postponement came at the request of The National Farmers Union (NFU), following new survey results which revealed higher than anticipated badger numbers in the two pilot areas (4,300 in West Somerset and 3,600 in West Gloucestershire ).

The NFU informed Defra that in light of these new figures they could not be confident of removing the required minimum 70% of the badgers in the two pilot areas this autumn.

Defra agreed to postpone the pilot culls until summer 2013 to allow farmers to continue their preparations and have the best possible chance of carrying out the cull effectively.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Despite a greatly increased effort over the last few days and weeks, the farmers delivering this policy have concluded that they cannot be confident that it will be possible to remove enough badgers based on these higher numbers and considering the lateness of the season.  It would be wrong to go ahead if those on the ground cannot be confident of removing at least 70% of the populations. Today I have received a letter from the President of the NFU, on behalf of the companies coordinating the culls, explaining why they do not feel they can go ahead this year and requesting that they be postponed until next summer. In these circumstances, it is the right thing to do and, as the people who have to deliver this policy on the ground and work within the science, I respect their decision.

"The Government is determined to tackle bovine TB by all the means available to us.  Now, in the next few months, we will ensure that the pilot culls can be implemented effectively, in the best possible conditions, with the right resources. Having looked at all the evidence over many years, I am utterly convinced that badger control is the right thing to do, and indeed the higher than expected badger numbers only serve to underline the need for urgent action.  I remain fully committed to working with the farming industry to ensure that the pilot culls can be delivered effectively, safely and humanely next summer."

The Government and NFU say they will now continue to plan so that the pilots can go ahead in Summer 2013.

Defra has launched a public consultation on proposals that would enable the RCVS to reconstitute its disciplinary committees independently of the RCVS Council, to ensure that the same group of people are not responsible for setting the rules, investigating complaints and hearing cases. The Royal College is urging the profession to support the proposals.

The proposed changes will be made by a Legislative Reform Order that will amend a specific part of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, to require the RCVS Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees to be made up of veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not RCVS Council members, and who are appointed at arm's-length.

RCVS President, Dr. Jerry Davies said: "I am delighted that Defra is consulting on these long-anticipated proposals, which would allow the RCVS to deliver better, fairer and more effective regulation. I would urge members of the profession and the public to respond to this important consultation and to support the changes."

Under the proposals, following a transitional period, the Committees would cease to include Council members. The bodies which consider allegations of misconduct on the part of veterinary surgeons would thus be independently constituted and detached from policy discussions. The proposals would also improve the independence of the disciplinary processes by formally bringing lay people into the relevant Committees.

In addition, the College says that changes would increase the pool of people available to investigate complaints and sit on disciplinary hearings, thus allowing the case-load to be handled more efficiently, and ensuring that complaints are heard swiftly.

The full details of the proposals can be found in Defra's consultation documents, which can be accessed at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/01/16/veterinary-surgeons-1201/

The Veterinary Osteoarthritis Congress, which will take place at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough, on 22nd and 23rd May, is open for registrations.

Congress offers two days of lectures and workshops and up to 14 hours CPD delivered by experts on the most cutting-edge OA management, treatment, techniques and technology.

There is also a large trade exhibition showcasing many of the latest products and services, not to mention a happy hour and gala dinner.

The organisers say veterinary surgeons and nurses, physiotherapists, hydrotherapists, and anyone working to prevent, treat and manage osteoarthritis will find the congress hugely rewarding.

This year there’s a focus on comparative disciplines, including human and equine practice.

Tickets cost from £190 to £370, plus VAT.

www.vet-oa.com/voacon

Supreme Petfoods has published protocols for the veterinary care of rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furries on its website: www.supremepetfoods.com.

The new infomation resource includes nursing plans and protocols for specific conditions, hospitalisation records, instructions on how to administer fluid therapy, take a blood sample, conduct a behavioural assessment and best practice manual handling.

The materials have been produced by Wendy Bament, exotic animal veterinary nurse at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh. Following workshops at the London Vet Show last year and feedback from the delegates, Wendy has transcribed some of the processes and protocols developed by the exotics team at Edinburgh for dissemination to veterinary practices across the UK.

Claire Hamblion, Marketing Manager at Supreme said: "I can't tell you how pleased we are to be involved in distributing these documents to the profession. The feedback from our live workshops really demonstrated the demand for material that would provide a framework for best practice care of small furries and now, thanks to Wendy and the team at Edinburgh, it's available to everybody. We genuinely believe that in many practices these protocols could change the approach to small furries forever."

The BVA has called on the Government to introduce a ban on the keeping of primates as private pets.

Veterinary surgeons at the BVA have been considering the potential welfare concerns of such animals in response to an Efra select committee inquiry on the issue. They have concluded that it is almost impossible for private owners to provide primates with appropriate care as defined by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: "We appreciate that many people who keep primates privately care deeply for their pets and do their utmost to provide for them appropriately. However, primates are long-lived, intelligent, socially-complex animals and we can think of no circumstances where they would benefit from being kept as a pet.

"Primates cannot be kept on their own. They need at least one companion in order to express natural behaviour. They require both an indoor and outdoor enclosure to ensure adequate exercise and exposure to UV light, and each species has specific dietary requirements.

"These animals are not domesticated companions like dogs and cats, or even livestock, and are extraordinarily difficult to care for properly. Very few people can provide the necessary resources to meet their welfare needs. We therefore favour a ban on the keeping of primates as private pets."

The Association says that as part of the consultation, it considered the possibility that primate welfare could be improved through better regulation or licensing but members did not feel these options went far enough given the difficulties involved in meeting primates' basic welfare needs.

The only exception to the ban recommended by the BVA would be to allow individuals who are working in partnership with accredited zoos to breed primates for conservation purposes.

BVA also recognises that a ban could not be enforced immediately and effective plans, including an appropriate transition period, would be needed to secure suitable accommodation for existing pet primates.