Zoetis has announced that it will continue to supply an alternative equine rotavirus vaccine under a Wholesale Dealer Import Certificate (WDIC) until normal supply of its licensed product, Equip Rotavirus, can be restored.

MSD Animal Health Equine is highlighting the results of a study conducted by the company which, it says, proves that Equilis Prequenza offers highly significant protection against viral shedding and the clinical signs of equine influenza (EI).

Current World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations are to include a representative strain from each of the two sublineages of equine influenza virus (EIV) - Florida Clade 1 and Florida Clade 2, to deliver optimum protection. 

MSD's study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Equilis Prequenza, containing whole virus Newmarket/2/93 (European strain) and South Africa/4/03 (Clade1) EIV strains, and an HA canarypox vectored vaccine containing Florida Clade 1 and Clade 2 strains. 

Two groups of seven Fjord ponies were vaccinated twice, 4 weeks apart (V1 on day 0 and V2 on day 28).  One group was vaccinated with Equilis Prequenza (MSD AH) and one group with ProteqFlu (Boehringer Ingleheim). The protective antibody response was measured and ponies were challenged, along with six unvaccinated control ponies, by experimental infection with Wexford/14 (a heterologous clade 2 strain), 1 20 days (4.5 months) after V2, and clinical signs and virus shedding monitored. EI serology was measured by single radial haemolysis (SRH) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI).  Clinical signs and virus shedding (measured by qRT-PCR and egg titration) were compared between groups and with controls.

Vicki Farr, BVetMed MRCVS, equine veterinary advisor at MSD Animal Health said: "Following challenge at 120 days after V2 with Wexford/14, this study demonstrates that both vaccines provide a highly significant degree of protection against clinical signs of EI and viral shedding compared to unvaccinated controls. Although the study was not designed to compare the efficacy of the two vaccines, because of practical limitations on the number of animals and hence low power, there was no evidence of any significant differences between these two groups. There was, however, a trend towards slightly lower clinical score on days 4-8 and reduced virus excretion on days 2-5 in the Equilis Prequenza group compared to the HA canarypox vectored vaccine.” 

MSD says Equilis Prequenza offers a broad based approach to immunogenicity by addressing and adapting key areas of an equine influenza vaccine - Matrix-C adjuvant, whole virus antigen and strain; efficacy has been proven through challenge trials and longer term protection confirmed by serology.      

Vicki added: "Equilis Prequenza addresses key factors involved in promoting effective immunogenicity. It combines the demonstrated efficacy against challenge, with a current circulating strain with an established safety profile.  Equilis Prequenza stimulates active immunity against EI providing the reassurance your clients demand. MSD Animal Health is committed to working with equine practices to improve vaccination rates in at-risk horses."

For more information about the trial results contact your MSD Animal Health account manager.

Ceva Animal Health has launched a month-long TV advertising campaign for its veterinary behaviour product, Adaptil, in the run up to the fireworks season.

Running throughout October, the campaign is designed to raise awareness among dog owners of how Adaptil Calm can help dogs cope during the fireworks and Christmas party season.

The advertising campaign will target 3.3 million pet owners and it will air on over 60 channels including C4 channels (Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4, Drama, Good Food, Really, W and Home), Sky channels, ITV2 and ITVBe.

Abigail King, behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: "The fireworks and party season can be an extremely upsetting time of the year for the nation’s pets.

"By highlighting the benefits of Adaptil at this key time of the year we hope to ensure that dogs are better prepared for the challenges of fireworks and loud noises."

Ceva says the TV advertising campaign will be supported by a digital campaign for both Adaptil and Feliway.

To watch the Adaptil TV advertisement visit https://www.adaptil.com/uk/Success-Stories/Finley.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has published 'Animal Welfare Global Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and the Veterinary Team'.

The guidelines, launched during WSAVA World Congress 2018 in Singapore, aim to bridge differing perceptions of welfare around the world and help veterinary surgeons and nurses tackle the ethical questions and moral issues which impact welfare. 

They also offer guidance to ensure that, in addition to providing physical health advice and therapy to their patients, veterinary surgeons and nurses can advocate for their psychological, social and environmental wellbeing.

Dr Shane Ryan, incoming President of the WSAVA and former Chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, said: "As veterinarians, our responsibility extends far beyond the physical health of our patients. Animal welfare as a science is a new and rapidly developing discipline and veterinarians need current, evidence-based invformation to enable them to maintain the highest welfare standards and to provide knowledgeable, accurate advice for pet owners and communities.

"Our new Guidelines provide recommendations, checklists and other tools to promote optimal levels of welfare throughout the veterinary visit. They also offer guidance on increasing welfare beyond the doors of the clinic through outreach activities.

"As levels of pet ownership increase in many regions of the world, including Asia, it is essential that veterinarians champion animal welfare and the WSAVA hopes that these new Guidelines will encourage our members to adopt best practice and set the highest standards.

"I would like to thank the members of the Animal Welfare Guidelines team, who worked so hard to create them and, of course, our sponsor, Waltham, whose constant support was instrumental in enabling us to deliver them."

The Animal Welfare Global Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and the Veterinary Team are available for free download at: https://bit.ly/2D3RAoc.

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association has published a new edition of its Manual of Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders, revised and updated under the direction of a new editorial team.

The new editorial team is comprised of Gareth Arthurs and Rob Pettitt, both RCVS Recognised Specialists in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) and Gordon Brown (no, not that one), an RCVS Diplomate in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics).

Given the considerable evolution in the diagnosis, understanding and treatment options for many orthopaedic disorders, this second edition includes the investigation of lameness, including the use of force plates and kinematics, the current understanding of elbow dysplasia and the wide array of available treatment options, and diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy.

New, advanced surgical techniques, such as tibial osteotomy for cranial cruciate ligament disease, cementless total hip replacement for hip dysplasia and replacement of the trochlear sulcus for patellar luxation have been covered, together with guidance on the level of training and experience necessary to achieve consistently good results.

The manual is divided into four principle sections:

• Lameness investigation

• Musculoskeletal disorders

• Principles of orthopaedic surgery

• Management of specific disorders, ordered by individual joints.

The joint-specific chapters all follow a similar format, comprising the main chapter and then, where relevant, imaging and operative techniques. 

Gareth Arthurs, one of three editors, said: "We feel privileged to have worked with such a broad range of talented authors whose combined international skills, knowledge and experience is impressive and very difficult to match. It has truly been a privilege to work with such a team of inspiring veterinary surgeons with expertise in various fields, and we are confident that the talent of each individual shines through their chapter".

The second edition of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders is available from the BSAVA website: www.bsava.com or by phone: 01452 726700. The online edition is available from: www.bsavalibrary.com

Animalcare has produced a Pet Remedy party season display pack to help practices raise awareness of the stress and anxiety that parties and fireworks can cause pets.

Whilst bonfire night has always been recognised as a stressful time for pets, fireworks are now common from October right through to New Year. Occasions such as Halloween, Diwali, Christmas and New Year’s Eve can all add to the stress. Other triggers for stress include parties, house visitors, loud music, changes to routine, even Christmas decorations and excited children with new toys.

Each display pack includes a merchandising unit, two posters, a shelf wobbler, a shelf edge strip and pin badges. 

To claim your free display pack, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y6wlsqga 

For more information, contact Animalcare on 01904 487687 or email: animalcare@animalcare.co.uk

Ceva Animal Health and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) are inviting nominations for next year's Global Animal Welfare Awards, which recognise veterinary surgeons for their efforts to protect and improve the welfare of animals.

Next year, in collaboration with the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA), there will be a new category to recognise a veterinary student for his or her contribution towards animal welfare. 

The WVA Animal Welfare Award 2019 will be presented to six veterinary surgeons from the WVA 6 geographical regions and to one veterinary student from around the world.

The Award Ceremony will take place during the 35^th World Veterinary Association Congress on 28^th April 2019 in San Jose, Costa Rica where the selected winners will be invited to collect their WVA Animal Welfare Award and a prize of €5,000.

Ceva and the WVA say they are now actively studying a plan to expand the awards to include veterinary schools, rewarding them for Animal Welfare Excellence in Veterinary Education. 

For more information, visit http://www.worldvet.org/news.php?item=356

The Animal Health Trust reports that a DNA test it developed in 2015 for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a painful condition which eventually leads to blindness in the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, appears to have stamped out the disease.

When the Newmarket-based veterinary and scientific research charity launched the test, it was believed that one in twenty Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen puppies would grow up to be affected by POAG.

Three years later, through responsible breeders using the DNA test, the AHT says there have been NO affected puppies in the UK reported to The Kennel Club.

The AHT says the test results demonstrate how appropriate DNA testing can lead to the immediate disappearance of a recessive disease, improving the health and wellbeing of countless dogs and their families. 

One breeder who has seen first-hand the benefits of this DNA test is Viv Phillips, who said: "As the breeder who first announced I had a dog affected by POAG I was delighted to work with the AHT and Prof Peter Bedford for 18 years in the research into this disease. I know how tough it is to not be able to avoid your dog going blind at a relatively young age. When the AHT discovered the DNA mutation in November 2014 which was subsequently launched at Crufts in 2015 it was the most wonderful result.

"I tested the PBGVs I still had, including their older parents, and was able to ascertain that puppies I had bred were either at no risk of going blind or sadly carried the gene and therefore treatment could be started to prolong their eyesight. Since this time I have bred 12 puppies and I am delighted that I know they will not be affected as a result of using the DNA test.

"Worldwide approximately 1800 Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen have been tested, and in the UK no puppies have been recorded as affected in the last three years. It is not a numerically large breed and if we can continue to spread the word worldwide and convince breeders to test their breeding stock, we can - with the help of the AHT - look forward to eliminating this awful disease completely."

Dr Cathryn Mellersh, Head of Canine Genetics at the AHT, said: "Years of work went into developing this DNA test which makes it even more rewarding to see it used so well to stop these lovely dogs from going blind. Glaucoma is a very debilitating and painful disease and some dogs have to their eyes removed as a result.

"We are studying glaucoma, and many other blinding diseases, in lots of dog breeds. These mutations can also affect cross bred as well as purebred dogs, so as the popularity of cross bred dogs continues to rise, DNA health testing is more important than ever to make sure you’re breeding, or buying, puppies that are going to have the very best start in life. Great things can be achieved through genetic research and as humans suffer many of the same diseases as dogs, there is always the possibility that our research is going to help human medicine as well. Unfortunately research is expensive and we always need more funding to be able to continue to maintain and expand our research of inherited diseases, including more complex diseases, such as epilepsy."

Defra has released new data showing that new outbreaks of bovine TB have fallen in the two areas that have now completed their licensed four-year badger culls.

In the Somerset cull area, TB incidence has fallen from 24% before culling started to 12% in year four of the cull, while in Gloucestershire it has fallen from 10.4% to 5.6%.

The Government says the findings are in line with expectation based on the scientific evidence from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial which underpins the approach to tackling bovine TB – and demonstrate progress is being made in delivering the 25-year TB eradication strategy in England to rid our farmers of the impacts of this terrible disease.

Defra has also announced additional measures being taken to help control the disease, including licences for badger control in 11 new areas and the opening of a new round of applications for the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme grants.

Farming Minister George Eustace said: "Bovine TB remains one of the greatest animal health threats to the UK. There is no single measure that will provide an easy answer which is why we are committed to pursuing a wide range of interventions to protect the future of our dairy and beef industries and eradicate the disease within 20 years.

"No one wants to be culling badgers forever so the progress reported today is encouraging."

BVA President John Fishwick said: "We continue to support a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to tackling bovine TB, including the use of badger culling in a targeted, effective and humane manner. TB is a devastating disease and we welcome the positive results emerging in Somerset and Gloucestershire, where licensed culling has now been in place for four years. The recent results in Dorset, indicating a slight upward trend in the incidence of bovine TB, present some cause for concern and we would like to see further investigation of the cattle and wildlife situation in that area.

"BVA supports the principle of badger controls within the Low Risk Areas (LRAs) of England where there is a demonstrated need and where it is done safely, humanely and effectively as part of a comprehensive strategy. We are largely reassured by the greater clarity provided on the decision-making process on how and where badger controls will be introduced in the LRAs. We recognise the expertise and professional judgement of veterinary and scientific colleagues in government who have made the decision to extend the cull in this area, but we would welcome further evidence regarding the level of TB infection in the wildlife reserve in Cumbria as this becomes available.

"Halting the spread of bovine TB is essential and it is vital that we use every available tool in the toolbox to support the Government’s aim to make England TB free. We therefore welcome both the introduction of tighter cattle controls where needed and the re-commencement of the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme, particularly if used as a ‘firebreak’ to mitigate the spread of the disease into the low risk areas. We would also like to see a commitment to funding of further research in this area."

Photo: Coatesy/Shutterstock

In the week that the National Office of Animal Health has revealed significantly greater levels of pessimism in the animal medicines industry over the impact of Brexit on public health and food production, the BVA also reports that the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) has prevented Defra from consulting the profession over the predicted shortage of veterinary surgeons post-Brexit.

NOAH's third Brexit Barometer found that where in the last report, 17% of its members reported feeling 'very' or 'somewhat pessimistic', that figure has now risen to 32%.

Meanwhile, the National Audit Office has revealed in its 'Progress in Implementing EU Exit' report that Defra has been prevented from consulting with the veterinary market by DExEU.

The report states that Defra is one of the government departments most affected by EU Exit and looks in detail at four of Defra’s main workstreams, including ‘import of animals and animal products’ and ‘exports of animals and animal products’.

In an accompanying press release, the National Audit Office notes that in a no-deal scenario there will be a significant increase in certificates needing to be processed by veterinary surgeons. It says: "Without enough vets, consignments of food could be delayed at the border or prevented from leaving the UK. Defra intended to start engaging with the veterinary industry in April 2018, but has not been permitted to do so and now plans to launch an emergency recruitment campaign in October to at least meet minimum levels of vets required. It plans to meet any remaining gaps through the use of non-veterinarians to check records and processes that do not require veterinary judgement."

The BVA says it has previously outlined concerns about the potential for diluting veterinary certification, and is calling on the Government to fully engage with the veterinary profession before making any changes that could impact the UK’s ability to trade animal products safely and in line with high animal welfare standards.

The RCVS has also weighed in. Amanda Boag, RCVS President, said: "We are glad to see the National Audit Office report recognises that a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario would be likely to reduce the supply of EU veterinary surgeons to the UK and cause uncertainty regarding the status of those EU veterinary surgeons who are currently living and working in the UK and that this would have a particularly serious impact on necessary veterinary work in public health and certification. 

"We continue to engage with Defra and, like the BVA, we want to emphasise the essential need for Government to consult with the profession to ensure their plans meet requirements, including maintenance of the high veterinary standards for which the UK is known. We also want to highlight the importance and value of the veterinary profession in other areas of society including caring for pets, horses and farm animals as well as research, education and industry, and emphasise the impact of workforce shortages on all sectors."

The Royal Veterinary College has performed world-first surgery to correct a combination of congenital heart defects in a dog that needed a repair to its tricuspid valve and common atrium.

Lottie, an 11-month-old Labrador puppy was found to have a very loud heart murmur during a routine check before being spayed. 

An ultrasound revealed that she had several congenital defects. The two major ones were a malformation of her tricuspid valve and a very large defect of the common atrium.

Lottie was referred to the RVC’s cardiothoracic department where she underwent further ultrasound and a CT scan. The team at the RVC, which is led by Dan Brockman, Professor of Small Animal Surgery, had already performed several cutting-edge surgeries, including a world-first treatment to save the life of a dog born with a malformed tricuspid valve.

Repair of the tricuspid valve has only been performed a handful of times and has not been done at the same time as repair of a common atrium. 

Lottie’s owners decided to proceed with the operation, which was undertaken at the end of July. Lottie's heart was stopped for the procedure and her circulation maintained with a heart lung machine run by perfusionist Nigel Cross from Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Poppy Bristow, Fellow in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the RVC, said: "Altogether 10 people were involved in her operation and many more for her care before and after surgery, including veterinary specialists, veterinary nurses and veterinary specialists-in-training from surgery, cardiology, anaesthesia and emergency and critical care, as well as Lottie’s referring cardiologist and her local veterinary practice. 

"Lottie’s heart was stopped for an hour and a half, with the whole operation taking four hours. Her malformed tricuspid valve was released by cutting its abnormal attachments and artificial chords using Gore-Tex material were placed. Her single atrium was then divided into two using a large patch of Gore-Tex. Lottie has made a good recovery so far and was walking around and eating from the day after her surgery. She was discharged back to her owners after six days and has continued to thrive at home."

Professor Brockman added: "In Lottie, we had a young energetic dog with such a serious and life-limiting heart condition, that we were desperate to try and help her. The repair was complex but incorporated a combination of surgical manoeuvres that we had done before. With careful pre-operative planning and using our previous experience, we were able to design and execute the surgical treatment. It is still ‘early days’ but the initial signs suggest that Lottie is going to enjoy an excellent quality of life, following this operation and, we all hope, a normal lifespan."

Fitzpatrick Referrals has been joined by Dr Michael Macfarlane as Senior Clinician in Medical Oncology. 

Michael qualified from the University of Glasgow in 2009 and then worked in first opinion practice in Buckinghamshire and Northern Ireland. He then returned to the University of Glasgow in 2012 to further his training and experience in oncology by completing four years of additional training. He completed an ECVIM residency in oncology in 2016 and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and a European Specialist in Oncology in 2017. Michael worked at a private referral practice in Surrey prior to joining Fitzpatrick Referrals. Earlier this year, Michael was awarded a Masters degree in Veterinary Medicine. This additional qualification researched canine mast cell tumours.

Michael said: "I am absolutely delighted to have joined Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue hospital. I have had a long-standing ambition to work as part of the fantastic team here since visiting the hospital during my specialist training in 2015. At this visit, I immediately felt at home in a group of people driven to deliver the very best compassionate care for dogs and cats.

"My ambition is to develop the very best ways to minimise the impact that cancer has on animals. I know that Fitzpatrick Referrals is the best environment for me to be able to achieve this. Throughout the hospital, there is an amazing positive attitude and a collective drive to improve the overall care we can give to pets with cancer. I am also excited by the opportunity to be able to help others to achieve their goals in improving cancer care for pets."

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee has decided to suspend overseas-based James Hugh Alexander Crawford MRCVS for a period of 12 months, after he fabricated an email, purporting it to be from a veterinary officer at the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), now known as the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Dr Crawford sent the email to his client, Mrs X, on 15 July 2014, the day on which Mrs X’s horse was due for insemination using horse semen supplied from a horse in Germany. However, the semen had arrived without the Intra Trade Certificate, a requirement for intra-EU inseminations, and so Dr Crawford proceeded to contact the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for alternative authorisation.

Just after 4:30pm on that day, Mrs X received a text from Dr Crawford advising her that he had received authorisation from the AHVLA, and would forward to Mrs X the AHVLA authorisation email. It later transpired that that the email had in fact been fabricated by Dr Crawford using an email that he had previously received from the AHVLA regarding another matter.

Dr Crawford faced the following charges:

1. Fabricating an e-mail purporting to be from the veterinary officer at the AVHLA, authorising use of semen from a horse for insemination, when in fact he had not received such authorisation.

2. Dishonesty in relation to the e-mail described above.

3. His conduct gave rise to spread of infectious disease which had the potential to affect equine animal health and welfare in the region.

Dr Crawford admitted the first two charges, but denied that his actions had given rise to the risk of disease.

The Committee found the first two charges proved, and moved on to determine the facts of the third charge. They took into account that Dr Crawford had received verbal confirmation that the semen was safe, and that the health papers had been stamped accordingly. He had not, however, seen a copy of this certificate and so there was no guarantee that the semen was safe to use at the time he sent the fabricated email. On consideration of the facts, the Committee found this charge proved, as Mrs X’s mare could have been infected and subsequently could have adversely affected equine animal health and welfare in the region.

They also found that his entire course of action had fallen far short of what is expected of a veterinary surgeon, and that it amounted to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect. 

When determining sanction, the Committee took into account a number of aggravating factors, namely the risk of injury to animals, an element of pre-meditation, a disregard for the role of the AHVLA, impersonating a fellow veterinary surgeon, and intending to deceive a veterinary surgeon as well as a member of the public.

It did also, however, take into account the mitigating factors – that there was no injury to the animal, and that it was a single isolated incident from which Dr Crawford did not stand to make any financial gain.

The Committee therefore decided to order the Registrar to suspend Dr Crawford’s registration for 12 months.

Ian Green, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: "The Committee did consider whether to remove Dr Crawford from the Register. However, in light of the significant mitigation in this case, the fact that this was an isolated incident in an otherwise unblemished career, together with his acceptance from the outset that he had been dishonest and his assurance that he would never behave in this way again, the Committee decided that in all the circumstances to remove him from the Register would be disproportionate."

Dr Crawford can lodge an appeal with the Privy Council within 28 days of being notified of the Disciplinary Committee's decision.