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Survey seeks views on enzootic abortion of ewes
"Once EAE is in a flock, it is incredibly frustrating and expensive to deal with" - Dr Fiona Lovatt.
Condition costs the UK sheep industry up to £20m every year.

A nationwide survey has been launched to capture farmers' experiences of enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE).

Supported by the National Sheep Association, the survey seeks to assess the on-farm experiences of EAE, the most commonly diagnosed cause of abortion in UK sheep.

It also aims to assess the important role of vaccination before tupping to help prevent unnecessary lamb losses and the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Sheep veterinary consultant, Dr Fiona Lovatt, said: “I find it so frustrating that, unless a flock has been well advised from the start and is already vaccinating, the point that we as vets get involved is after the disease has been bought into a flock with replacements and considerable damage has already occurred.

“Once EAE is in a flock, it is incredibly frustrating and expensive to deal with. Any flock that buys in ewe replacements is at risk of EAE and should be using vaccination to protect the flock."

She continued: “Ideally, they will also lamb all replacements separately for their first year. EAE is definitely a disease where a sensible vaccination program makes huge sense – for two very compelling reasons – both financial as well as from the point of view of responsible medicine use.”

Caused by Chlamydia abortus, EAE is estimated to cost the UK sheep industry up to £20 million every year. A report conducted by the APHA/SRUC revealed that 42 per cent of all diagnosed abortion cases in the first quarter of 2020 were attributed to EAE.

The survey is being launched during Ceva’s ‘For Flock’s Sake – Vaccinate!’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of EAE among veterinary practices and farmers, as well as highlight the importance of vaccination.

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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.