Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th May 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Concerns over rise in ‘anti-vax’ remedies online
“We are very concerned to see unlicensed, potentially dangerous and ineffective treatments being sold online."
Investigation uncovers misleading claims about 'nosodes' 

Millions of dogs and cats are said to be at risk from a rise in the number of ‘anti-vaccination’ remedies being sold online.

A recent Sunday Telegraph investigation revealed misleading claims that products made from the diseased flesh of animals could offer immunity from fatal conditions.

Online retail giant Amazon last week agreed to remove advertisements for such products, which are known as ‘homeopathic nosodes’.

According to The Telegraph, these treatments included Herpes Combination 50mg, which was described online as offering immunity to litters of puppies if tablets are administered to pregnant mothers.

Vets and animal welfare charities have raised concerns that owners opting for homeopathic remedies instead of vaccines could cause a rise in serious preventable diseases such as parvovirus and leptospirosis.

“This is truly frightening,” veterinary surgeon Danny Chambers told The Telegraph. “Safe and effective vaccines exist for these diseases. Using unregulated and scientifically implausible remedies bought from Amazon will leave your pet with no protection and at a high risk of contracting them.”

RSPCA veterinary director Caroline Allen added: “We are very concerned to see unlicensed, potentially dangerous and ineffective treatments being sold online and would urge people to report these products to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

“While there does seem to be an increasing amount of ‘anti-vax’ material online, this is not supported by a genuine evidence base.”

After being alerted to the Telegraph’s findings, a Defra spokesperson said: “It is illegal to sell products making false medicinal claims and we work closely with companies such as Amazon to stop this. We will bring these products to their attention immediately.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.