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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 21st August 2015
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

Atypical myopathy season approaching
sycamore seeds
SPM is caused by the toxin hypoglycin A, which is contained in the seeds of sycamore trees.
BEVA urges owners to identify nearby sycamore trees
 
Horse owners are being urged to minimise the risk of seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) by identifying any sycamore trees in or near pasture.

SPM, previously termed atypical myopathy, is a fatal muscle disease in horses. Recent research uncovered the cause of the disease to be the toxin hypoglycin A, which is contained in the seeds of sycamore trees.

Now is the ideal time of year to look for the trees, as they will be in full leaf and seeds are clearly visible.

Mark Bowen, president elect of the BEVA, said: "We are urging horse owners to be prepared in 2015 to try and reduce the impact of this devastating condition."

Last autumn, high winds resulted in significant contamination of pastures with sycamore seeds. According to data from the National Equine Health Survey, there was a four-fold increase in cases of SPM.

Mr Bowen advised horse owners to resist the urge to fell the trees: "Doing so can lead to massive pasture contamination, further increasing the risks to their horses."

Sycamore seeds are not thought to be directly palatable, but horses grazing on poor quality pasture may ingest a considerable number. Horses diagnosed with SPM have usually been kept in sparse pastures without any supplementary hay or feed in their diets.

BEVA urges owners to take the following steps to protect their horses:
  • Restrict access to seeds by using temporary fencing
  • Ensure horses have access to good quality uncontaminated pasture
  • Move horses off pasture at times of risk
  • Provide supplementary feed in the field to minimise the risk of horses being tempted to ingest seeds
  • Avoid leaving wet hay on the ground where it will rot
  • Discuss the risks and how to identify early clinical signs of AM with your veterinary surgeon
  • Being aware that a field without sycamore trees can still contain seeds spread by high winds or flood water

Image courtesy of BEVA

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

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.