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RVC addresses ethics of selective breeding
frenchie
Specific reference was made to brachycephalic dogs and cats, which are prone to obstructive breathing and struggle with exercise.
Brachycephalic breeds and working horses ‘pushed to the limits’

A panel comprised of experts from the RVC and in collaboration with the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) held a symposium entitled ‘Animals Pushed to the Limits- implications for welfare, ethics and the veterinary profession’.

Following a series of presentations focussing on working equines, dairy cattle, dogs and ‘veterinary enhancement ethics’, a panel of speakers explored how the veterinary industry could facilitate compromise and improvement for selectively bred animals.

Specific reference was made to brachycephalic dogs and cats, which are prone to obstructive breathing and struggle with exercise as a result of their genetic ‘enhancements’.  

In the fifth RVC-CABI Symposium, 160 delegates from governments, NGOs, academics and the public heard speakers including the chairman of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee, representatives from Bristol and Nottingham universities, the University of Porto and the RVC.

Delegates from international equine welfare charity, Brooke, also joined the discussion, which addressed current and important animal welfare problems. Kimberly Wells, senior animal welfare advisor at Brooke, said: “The evidence presented by each speaker demonstrated that animals are pushed to their limits to fulfil human needs for survival, variety, entertainment, novel techniques, food and production.”

BVA president Sean Wesley, who attended, said: “Veterinary leadership in animal welfare, interdisciplinary collaboration and increased focus on veterinary and animal welfare ethics are all areas being developed.”

The talks were recorded and will be available on the RVC website. They are part of an ongoing campaign to bring together experts to generate leadership in animal welfare and ethics.

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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.