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Vets and nurses concerned over bTB spread in hunting hounds
Vets and nurses criticised Defra for failing to put in place ongoing formal or statutory testing for the Kimblewick hounds. (Stock photo)
Defra urged to take action after Kimblewick outbreak 

Vets and nurses are calling for an immediate ban on feeding livestock to hunting hounds, amid concerns about the transmission of bovine TB.

A letter to Defra, signed by 14 vets and seven nurses, says there should be a moratorium on hunting with hounds in England, until data shows that hunting packs are free from bTB at a national level.  

This recommendation comes shortly after a formal report on the 2016 outbreak of bTB in hounds from the Kimblewick Hunt, which has around 180 hounds operating in six counties in the edge and low risk area for bTB.

The Kimblewick outbreak
Research published by Edinburgh University, in association with APHA and Defra, shows that out of 164 hounds tested, 97 had evidence of bTB infection and had to be culled.

In addition, two out of 19 pet dogs that had a close association with the pack tested positive for bTB. One member of staff at the kennels also developed latent infection, though it is not possible to determine which Mycobacterium species the person had been exposed to, due to the nature of latent TB.

The most likely route of infection is believed to be feeding the hounds meat from infected livestock. Six carcases provided for the hounds’ consumption at Kimblewick came from three farms that had experienced bTB breakdowns between 2014 and 2016.

Whilst it is common for hounds to be loaned to other kennels, there is no requirement for movement testing and hounds can be moved freely around the country, regardless of their TB status.

In the 18 months prior to the outbreak, 13 bitches had been moved between Kimblewick and two other kennels in the high risk area. The genotype of M bovis responsible for the outbreak was found to be spoligotype 10:a. Both kennels were in the region of England where this type has been detected in cattle.

‘Inadequate and secretive’
Writing in Vet Record, the coalition of 21 vets and nurses criticised Defra for failing to put in place ongoing formal or statutory testing for the Kimblewick hounds. Defra was also accused of being ‘inadequate and secretive’ over the issue.

Responding, a Defra spokesperson said: ‘We take biosecurity and animal welfare extremely seriously and expect hunt organisers to put in place appropriate measures to protect people and animals from the risk of disease.

‘TB in dogs caused by Mycobacterium Boris in the UK is extremely rare. There is no evidence to suggest dogs play a significant role in the persistence of bTB in England or that hunting with dogs contributes to the spread of disease in cattle.’

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.