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: 22nd November 2016
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

AFSCAN app to provide perspective on canine health
Left to right: Dr Anselm Voigts, AFSCAN Ambassador, Namibia; Dr Olatunji Nasir, AFSCAN Ambassador, Nigeria, Professor Amandus Muhairwa, AFSCAN Ambassador, Tanzania.
Initative will collect data from vets in Kenya

Two initiatives have been announced by the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN) as part of its efforts to drive up standards of veterinary care in Africa.

Announced during a meeting of the AFSCAN Board and Ambassadors, the first initiative will use a tablet-based app to collect data from vets in Kenya. The vets will be asked to collect health and demographic data from dogs visiting their practices.

This will provide a 'valuable baseline perspective' on canine health in Kenya, says AFSCAN. It also has the potential to be extended across the AFSCAN countries, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

The second initiative is a 'twinning programme' that will give vets in Africa the chance to partner with a veterinary hospital in the United States. The project aims to provide a long-term mentoring relationship with the African vet and allows the US vet to get involved in international veterinary development.

Developed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), AFSCAN is working towards its goal of enhancing veterinary care in Africa. This is being achieved through the provision of online and continuing education and through the creation of a sustainable network of small companion animal veterinary associations (SAVA’s).

Commenting on the project's progress, Dr Gabriel Varga, chair of the AFSCAN board said: “The progress made by AFSCAN over the last three years is extraordinary and is a credit both to the Ambassadors and Board who have worked so hard to strengthen the companion animal veterinary communities in their own countries.   

“We are looking forward to the launch of our new projects for 2017. Looking ahead, we are also exploring how we can extend the benefits AFSCAN is bringing to other countries in Africa. 2017 is set to be another exciting year!”

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.