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Smoke inhalation 'a major veterinary challenge'
fire
"Smoke is actually a bigger killer than burns and is a serious veterinary challenge".
Conference held on equine safety
 
Smoke inhalation in horses presents a major veterinary challenge, said the RVC's Professor Josh Slater during a recent conference on equine health and safety.

Owing to their natural reaction to fire, horses are particularly susceptible to rapid lung damage and even death from smoke inhalation.

Prof Slater, an expert in equine health and clinical studies, said: "Unlike humans, horses will automatically raise their heads during a fire to try and establish an escape route. This means that they are breathing in toxic smoke and super-heated gases which cause serious burn and chemical damage to the lungs and trachea.

"Smoke is actually a bigger killer than burns and is a serious veterinary challenge because, unlike burns, the effects of smoke inhalation are often not immediately apparent and we do not have specific treatments."

There is thought to be just a four-minute window from the start of the fire to the horse sustaining fatal smoke damage, Prof Slater added. Thus, it is essential for owners to have a clear fire prevention and evacuation plan, which is rehearsed regularly.

The discussions took place at the British Horse's Society's Safety Conference, which brought together horse keepers and safety industry experts.

According to insurance companies, horse health and safety is a multi-million pound industry that can sometimes be overlooked by owners. Last year, NFU Mutual paid more than £11 million for equine-related claims.

Many insurers in the sector are concerned that horse keepers are not fully aware of the impact a fire can have financially, as well as emotionally.

Nicki Whittaker, an equine insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, said during the event: "We would urge people to ensure they have the correct insurance, fire prevention measures and evacuation plan in place, so they are properly prepared if the worst happens."

For advice and information, horse keepers are advised to make contact with their local fire and rescue service.

Photo courtesy of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

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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. 

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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.