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New laminitis projects planned for 2015
horse
Laminitis is estimated to affect around 15 per cent of UK horses and ponies.
Studies will explore the impact of diet and predisposition

Two new PhD projects will explore predisposition to pasture-associated laminitis and the impact of diet on the condition.

Obesity is a growing problem, with some studies suggesting as many as 50 per cent of UK leisure horses and ponies are obese. Meanwhile, laminitis is thought to affect around 15 per cent.

Fat accumulation in horses has been increased by improved nutrition and decreased workloads. As a result, there is greater demand for improved nutritional advice for senior (over the age of 20) and obese animals.

New research in 2015 will aim to assess the impact of diet on the microbiota of these animals.

Under the supervision of Professor Caroline Argo from the University of Surrey, researchers from the University of Liverpool Equine Hospital and the University of Aberystwyth will also consider how their findings could be used to improve advice on the feeding and management of horses.

A further study on pasture-associated laminitis will take place at the Royal Veterinary College. Under the supervision of Dr Nicola Menzies-Gow and Professor Jonathan Elliott, the research team will continue current work to determine which individual horses and ponies are at most risk of developing pasture-associated laminitis.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.