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Plan to up the UK's defence against disease
pigs
BPEX says the pig industry is facing the greatest risk from emerging and exotic disease since 2001.

Pig industry working on PEDv contingency plan

Steps are being taken to boost the UK's defences to certain exotic and emerging diseases that could cause serious harm to the pig industry.

A contingency plan is being developed should porcine epidemic virus (PEDv) ever enter the country.

A number of other recommendations have been made by a round table under the auspices of the Pig Health and Welfare Council, and are being developed by industry partners.

PEDv is spreading across North America at a devastating pace, while African swine fever is moving west out of Russia. The risk facing the pig industry is at its highest peak since 2001, according to BPEX, a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

In a progress report published last week, it was revealed that the National Pig Association (NPA) has updated biosecurity protocols for the import of live pigs, semen and embryos to include risk management measures for PEDv and swine deltacoronavirus.

The NPA also led a review of current biosecurity resources for farms, abattoirs, transport, feed and live imports. In addition, discussions are being held on biosecurity measures for fallen stock industry contractors.

To encourage more samples to be sent in for PED testing, BPEX says it will now offer free testing of intestinal contents of pigs of all ages from outbreaks of diarrhoea in England and Wales.

BPEX veterinary advisor Derek Armstrong commented: "This work is being carried out by AHVLA and the results will be passed back to the pig unit’s veterinary practice."

Three biosecurity seminars will also be held this month for those across the supply chain. Delegates will benefit from hearing the experiences of an American producer who has had to battle PEDv.

Click here for the full list of recommendations and the progress report: http://www.bpex.org.uk/R-and-D/Pig-Health/diseases.aspx

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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. 

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.