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Leg lesions in garden birds peak during winter - study
Chaffinches are the most likely garden bird to be seen with leg lesions, but the condition is also reported less commonly in a number of other finch species.

Virus and mites identified as source of the lesions 

Reports of leg lesions in British finches peak during winter, according to a new study by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Commonly known as ‘scaly leg’ or ‘tassel foot’, these lesions are growths on the legs and feet, seen in finches in Britain and mainland Europe.

Leg lesions in chaffinches are one of the most frequently reported signs of ill health in garden birds, but there has been no large-scale studies of the condition until now.

ZSL vets looked at data from volunteers taking part in the British Trust for Ornithology’s Garden BirdWatch survey.

Findings published in Scientific Reports suggest that, each week, 3-4 per cent of people recording chaffinches saw a bird with leg lesions in their garden. There was widespread distribution across Britain, with a peak in cases from November to March. This is thought to be down to the annual influx of migratory chaffinches from mainland Europe.

Chaffinches are the most likely garden bird to be seen with leg lesions, but the condition is also reported less commonly in a number of other finch species, including brambling, bullfinch, goldfinch and greenfinch.

Results from post-mortem examinations of more than 1,000 finches suggest there are two causes of this type of lesion - a virus (Fringilla coelebs papillomavirus) and mites (Cnemidocoptes). Both are thought to be transmitted through contact, so good hygiene measures are recommended, including cleaning bird feeders.

Image © John Harding/BTO
 

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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.