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New advice follows growing concern over leishmaniosis
Experts warned that blood transfusions present a potential transmission risk, as dogs can maintain subclinical L infantum infection for years.
Recommendations made after cases in untravelled dogs

Experts are calling for steps to be taken to prevent leishmaniosis taking hold in the UK, after growing concerns about recent cases in untravelled dogs.

A report published in Vet Record last week described what is thought to be the first confirmed case of dog-to-dog transmission. A dog with no history of foreign travel was diagnosed with the disease, six months after an imported dog living in the same household was euthanised due to severe leishmaniosis.

Previously, ESCCAP’s Ian Wright and Samantha Baker of Vets4Pets reported another recent case in an untravelled dog. In this case, the dog’s owners had previously lived in Spain and it is thought that they inadvertently brought infected sand flies back in their luggage, following a visit to Jalón Vally.

Now, scientist Malcolm Duthie and vet Christine Petersen are calling for ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent Leishmania infantum becoming established in the UK.

They made a series of recommendations in a comment piece in Vet Record (Vol 184 No 14), including screening dogs imported from Leishmania-endemic regions. Similar screening should be implemented in the contact population of any dogs presenting with the disease, they added, as well as regular follow ups to ensure conversion does not occur.

The authors also warned that blood transfusions present a potential transmission risk, as dogs can maintain subclinical L infantum infection for years before progression to canine visceral leishmaniasis. They recommend expanding the donor criteria to exclude dogs that have had significant contact with those that have spent time in Leishmania-endemic regions.

Other suggested measures include vaccination and use of topical insecticides for dogs travelling to endemic areas.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."