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

New modified live vaccine for PRRS
Zoetis said the vaccine is safe to be used as the earliest protection in pigets.
Vaccine is safe to use as earliest piglet protection

A new modified live vaccine has been launched for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus.

Suvaxyn PRRS MLV has been launched in most EU countries. It contains a European PRRS virus strain (genotype 1) that has been grown and attenuated in a uniquely modified cell line, developed by Zoetis.

Research director Jay Calvert explained: “Suvaxyn PRRS MLV is safe based on true loss of virulence, and not based on a temporary reduction in ability to replicate in macrophage cells in the lung of the pig.”

PRRS causes reproductive losses, lowered birth rates, abortions, stillbirths, mummified foetal pigs, weak live-born piglets and deaths. It also causes respiratory disease in pigs, which impacts growth performance and is often complicated with other bacterial and viral co-infections.

Zoetis said it offers whole herd protection against PRRS and is safe to be used as the earliest protection in piglets. Immunity can therefore be achieved before the risk period, which lasts until the end of fattening. Pig protection is established 28 days after vaccination and lasts for 26 weeks in fattening piglets, or 16 weeks in gilts and sows.

Alvaro Aldaz, director of commercial development and innovation, swine, at Zoetis, said the vaccine has been shown to reduce viremia, nasal shedding and lung lesions in fattening pigs, as well as overcoming maternal immunity, which increases the efficacy of the vaccine when given to piglets during the first days of life.

Monica Balasch, associate director of global biologicals development for Zoetis, added: “In clinical studies conducted with Suvaxyn PRRS MLV, we found excellent results vaccinating pigs from the first day of age. It is safe to be used as the earliest protection in piglets, and to protect the whole herd against PRRS, as it is also safe for use in gilts and sows. The new vaccine represents a flexible alternative to allow for new customised PRRS control programs developed by veterinarians for producers.”

The most common side effects (which may affect more than one in 10 pigs) are: short-lived body temperature increase (0.5°C on average, up to 1.4°C) within four days of vaccination; and local reactions in sows (in the form of swellings which resolve without treatment in five to 32 days).

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.