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: 17th December 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

Health test for deafness extended to all breeds
Dalmation
Introduction of the programme follows the success of an official BAER testing programme for dalmations.
Follows successful BAER testing programme for dalmations

A new health testing programme for Brainstern Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) has been approved by the Kennel Club. The programme will be applicable to all pedigree dog breeds which have a known problem with congenital deafness.

Introduction of the programme follows the success of an official BAER testing programme for dalmations, which has been running for almost a year and received over 100 results.

Owners of any pedigree breed may now forward BAER results directly to the Kennel Club for recording on their dog's registration record. There are a number of specialist centres in the UK which offer BAER screening, and each dog screened is issued with a veterinary certificate stating the dogs hearing status.

Aimee Llewellyn, head of health and research at the Kennel Club, said: “It is hoped that centralising the data obtained through BAER testing will provide a clearer picture of the hearing status of breeds which have a higher risk of inherited deafness.

“The results of BAER testing could also be used to help develop tools to enable breeders to make more informed breeding decisions in the future.  One of the Kennel Club’s priorities is to the ensure that breeders are as well-equipped as possible to make responsible, informed choices to enable them to improve and maintain breed health, and we hope that expanding the BAER testing programme to all breeds will enable them to do this in the future.”

Congential deafness is usually inherited and linked to defective genes. However, its mode of inheritance is not yet understood. It is thought that inherited deafness may be influenced by more than one gene and there may be additional breed-specific factors.  Breeds most at risk include those that carry the extreme piebald gene (demonstrated by a predominantly white coat), or genes associated with merle coat colour.

For further information on BAER testing, including the programme criteria, visit  www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/579531/baer_test_programme.pdf.

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

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...
News Shorts
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.