Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vets raise concerns for future of ketamine   
Dr Silver
Dr Ganga de Silva, president of the Society of Companion Animal Practitioners.

WSAVA petition secures over 11,000 signatures

All veterinary surgeries in Sri Lanka would cease to operate if ketamine was not available. That's according to Dr Ganga de Silva, president of the Society of Companion Animal Practitioners of Sri Lanka.

In 2014, China called for a worldwide ban on ketamine following widespread misconception that it is only a ‘recreational drug’. But Dr Silva says that almost all veterinary surgeons in Sri Lanka rely on ketamine for anaesthesia.

"The result would be suffering for animals and it would seriously impact our ability to control rabies as we would not be able to carry out spay and neuter programs on stray dogs," she said.

Earlier this year the WSAVA launched an online petition to secure access to ketamine as an essential veterinary medicine. So far, the petition has received over 11,300 signatures - with 15,000 the next milestone.

The petition followed a review by the World Health Organisation that concluded ketamine does not cause a global public health threat and that control would limit access for those using it as an anaesthetic.

This view was confirmed at a meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2016, helped by support from the global medical and veterinary communities. However, China has since repeated its view that ketamine should fall under international scheduling.

"Ketamine is a safe anaesthetic which can be used without oxygen, ventilators, electricity and the support systems required for other products, making it the only anaesthetic suitable for both medical and veterinary use in lower and middle-income countries," said WSAVA president Dr Walk Ingwersen.

"If developing countries were denied access to it, which would be the effect of international scheduling, the effects on veterinary medicine, human health and animal welfare would be devastating,” he said.

Dr Nancy Shaffran, president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, added: “In addition to its use as an anaesthetic agent, ketamine is a critical medication used in the pain management in animals. The mechanism of action of ketamine (NMDA receptor antagonism) delivered as a Constant Rate Infusion has been well established to be effective in the prevention and correction of severe neuropathic pain and spinal cord wind-up. 

“The loss of ketamine in veterinary practice would result in the needless suffering of many patients and we strongly oppose this action." 

The WSAVA are continuing with their push to secure the future of ketamine as a veterinary and human medicine. All those interested can sign the petition at http://chn.ge/1RFSou6

Image (C) WSAVA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
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.