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.
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

Low-level herd diseases in pigs to be identified at slaughter
12 different health conditions will be tested for as part of the scheme.
New scheme will allow pig farmers access to post-mortem data

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) are inviting pig farmers to join a new scheme that will provide access to post-mortem data on their pig herd at slaughter.

The aim of the scheme is to provide information on low-level diseases that the farmer may not be aware of. Through this close observation, it is hoped that health and welfare will improve and performance increased.

12 different health conditions affecting the heart, liver, skin and lungs (including enzootic pneumonia and pleuritis) will be tested for by a veterinary assessor at the time of slaughter. A full report will then be provided that can instigate discussion and health plans with a veterinary surgeon.

Results from the report can be useful in assessing any recent changes to feed, conditions or vaccination programmes.

This new scheme is a replacement for the British Pig Health Scheme (BPHS) that was halted in October 2017 so that AHDB could partner with abattoirs and veterinary surgeons to produce an improved process.

Commenting on the scheme, Lauren Turner, Pork Processing Projects Manager said: “The Pig Health Scheme will allow you to get information on diseases that you may not be aware of, and may help to reduce those unexplained falls in performance that seem to have no cause but gradually lose you money over time by reducing growth rates.”

The scheme is free to join and more information can be found here.

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

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.