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Rise in heartworm cases prompts warning
‘Veterinary professionals need to be vigilant for exotic parasites entering the UK in imported dogs.'

Number of infected imported dogs ‘likely to increase’

A reported rise in enquiries about heartworm in dogs has prompted a warning about rescue dogs being imported to the UK.

ESCCAP UK & Ireland says there have been five heartworm cases in the past four weeks, not just in dogs from endemic countries in Europe, but also the US, Mauritius and Brazil.

Head of ESCCAP Ian Wright said veterinary professionals should be vigilant for exotic parasites in imported animals.

He explained: ’The increased numbers of dogs imported from Southern and Eastern Europe combined with the parasite spreading through Eastern Europe means that numbers of positive imported dogs are only likely to increase over the coming months and years.

‘Veterinary professionals need to be vigilant for exotic parasites entering the UK in imported dogs. This spike in heartworm cases is another example of the wide range of pathogens that might be encountered and the increasing risk to individual pets and owners as well as wider UK biosecurity as a result.’ 

Concerns over imported disease have been growing since the Pet Travel Scheme rules were relaxed in 2012.

Cases of imported disease over the past two years include babesiosis, canine ocular thelaziosis, tongue worm and Brucella canis. In March this year, there was also a confirmed case of leishmaniasis in an untravelled dog, which is thought to have contracted the disease from an imported dog.

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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.