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Child’s pacemaker used to treat epileptic dog
Epilepsy is a common condition in dogs, and yet despite this, it can be very difficult and expensive to treat with medication. (Stock image)
Vets and doctors collaborate to perform pioneering surgery    

A human pacemaker has been implanted into an epileptic dog, in an attempt to treat the condition, for the first time ever in the UK, BBC News reports. The procedure was undertaken by a team of vets and doctors from Langford Vets and Bristol Children’s Hospital.

The pacemaker, known as a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), is thought to significantly reduce the need for medication. Tom Harcourt-Brown, veterinary neurologist at Langford Vets, told BBC News the treatment was “rarely curative” but “potentially life-saving”.

Epilepsy is a common condition in dogs, and yet despite this, it can be very difficult and expensive to treat with medication. Fitting the VNS, a device commonly used in children who suffer from medically unresponsive seizures, cost around £5,000 and is not normally covered by pet insurance.

Mike Carter, paediatric neurosurgeon at Bristol Children’s Hospital, said: "As we know, many human treatments start off as treatments that are either trialled or in some way propagated in the animal population.

"And it may well be that there are in fact benefits to humans from observing the way in which treatments work in animals as well. And that's very much what we're hoping for here."

Eva, the Jack Russell who underwent the surgery, has been on medication since her first seizure two years ago. She is now recovering well and is getting back to her usual playful self.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.