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Survey seeks to better understand Equine Cushing's Disease
PPID is linked to weight loss, delayed coat shedding and a long curly coat.
Findings may provide insight into how owners make treatment decisions. 

Owners of older horses and ponies aged 15 years and over are being invited to share their views on pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in a new survey.

Also known as equine Cushing's disease, PPID is commonly found in older horses and ponies and is associated with laminitis, weight loss, delayed coat shedding and a long, curly coat.

The survey forms part of an international project to improve understanding of the causes of PPID and to improve early diagnosis, treatment, husbandry and nutritional management.

The findings will help researchers better understand how owners make treatment decisions and which decisions have the best outcomes. Scientists hope the findings may also provide an insight into how owners comply with administering medication and their capacity to feed PPID horses separately.

The survey is being conducted by the University of Melbourne - supported by the WALTHAM™ Equine Studies Group and SPILLERS - in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology, The RVC, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and The Liphook Equine Hospital.

SPILLERS research and development director Clare Barfoot said: “The survey will provide valuable information to help improve the healthcare and management of PPID horses. It will also give us a clearer insight into current levels of knowledge amongst horse owners and how best to provide practical, targeted information on PPID.”

To complete the survey, click here.

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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.