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AHT calls for help to investigate atypical myopathy
Horse and vet
Vets who have seen clinical cases of atypical myopathy are urged to fill in a short questionnaire.

Vets and horse owners urged to fill in short questionnaire

Veterinary professionals who have seen clinical cases of atypical myopathy in 2014 are being asked to help in a collaborative research project into the disorder.

Horse owners whose animals have been affected by the condition are also being asked to help.

The research, led by the Animal Health Trust (AHT), aims to investigate the geographical distribution and clinical particularities of atypical myopathy in the UK and Ireland.

In 2014, the UK reported the highest number of atypical myopathy cases in Europe with alarming mortality rates. Therefore, the AHT say, a UK based investigation is essential to understand the particularities of the disease in this country.

Atypical myopathy causes the destruction of muscle tissue, including the heart. Clinical signs include dark coloured urine, muscle tremors, breathing problems and anorexia. The debilitating and fatal disease disease is caused by the ingestion of sycamore seeds, commonly known as "helicopters" as their shape enables them to travel several years away from where the trees are located.  

Vets who have seen clinical cases of atypical myopathy in 2014 are urged to fill in a short questionnaire providing details of the affected horse’s management, pasture details and clinical signs.

Horse owners whose horses have suffered from the disease can also help the AHT's research into the disease by providing similar information. For the horse owner survey please click here.

By collecting as many details as possible on the disease, the veterinary charity hopes to accelerate the research into the condition, furthering the understanding of the disease and improving the poor prognosis that it currently has in the UK.

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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.