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Charity issues advice on tracheal collapse
Sue with Molly and Mitsy
Mitsy (left) and Molly with Sue's daughter Katie.

Alert follows near-fatal case at PDSA PetCheck event

Dog owners are being alerted to the signs of tracheal collapse following a near-fatal case at a PDSA event in Sunderland.

Owner Sue Richardson had taken her two dogs Molly and Mitsy to PetCheck - an event run by the PDSA which provides free wellbeing MOTs and microchipping for dogs.

While waiting for her appointment, Sue took her dogs for a short walk. Suddenly, Mitsy started suffering severe breathing difficulties, so Sue took her straight back to the PetCheck vehicle.

PDSA Vet Nurse Tina Scrafton, who was on the PetCheck vehicle at the time, said: “I was alerted to a dog in distress outside and went straight out to take a look. It was immediately clear how serious Mitsy’s situation was – she couldn’t breathe and her tongue was turning blue.”

Mitsy was rushed straight to emergency care at a nearby veterinary practice, where she was diagnosed with tracheal collapse - a condition where the airway closes in on itself.  "It was 50/50 as to whether she would survive. I was heartbroken," says Sue.

Thankfully after just a few hours of treatment, Mitsy was able to go home and has made a full recovery.  Now, Sue wants to do all she can to make other owners aware of what to do if this ever happens to their dogs.

PDSA nurse Tina advises: “Tracheal collapse isn’t seen very frequently, but it is more prevalent in small ‘toy’ breeds of dog, particularly as they get older.  It is caused by weaknesses or defects in the cartilage that holds the windpipe open. Hot weather can exacerbate the condition, which is what brought about Mitsy’s sudden attack.

“It’s important for owners to be aware of the signs of tracheal collapse, which include a severe “honking” cough and difficulty exercising. In extreme cases the airway can collapse completely causing the brain to be starved of oxygen, which is why Mitsy’s tongue was turning blue. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, contact your vet straight away.”

PDSA's PetCheck tours the UK every year between March and October. For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk/petcheck.

Image (C) PDSA

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
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New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.