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: 25th August 2021
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

Anifera to conduct additional bovine mastitis studies
Mastitis costs the global dairy industry an estimated 32 billion USD a year.
The firm is developing compounds that can improve the efficacy of antibiotics.

Animal health firm Anifera has announced plans to conduct additional studies to explore the impact and effectiveness of adjunct therapy in bovine mastitis.

Bovine mastitis is a common disease of dairy cattle that causes inflammation of the udder tissue. The condition is considered to be the most common cause of economic loss for cattle farmers worldwide, owing to reduced milk yield and lower milk quality.

In a press release, Anifera states the new studies will 'build on promising data in bovine mastitis' and have been made possible following 'substantial investment' by Stonehaven Incubate – one of Anifera's co-founders. 

The company is developing compounds that can improve the efficacy of antibiotics, with the ultimate aim of reducing their use in animals. Anifera’s small molecule compounds seek to potentiate the effects of the antibiotic through a unique mechanism of action. 

“We have seen very encouraging results in early studies focused on bovine mastitis, utilising our lead compound as an adjunct therapy to a commercial intramammary antibiotic,” commented Dr Gwynneth Thomas, CEO of Anifera. 

“We look forward to moving ahead with additional development work aimed at further exploring improvements in the efficacy of existing antibiotics when used in combination with our compound, helping to advance sustainability in animal health.”

According to figures published by Anifera, mastitis costs the global dairy industry an estimated 32 billion USD a year. With increasing concerns about restrictions on the use of antibiotics in farm animals, the firm hopes its approach “could help improve health and productivity for dairy farmers worldwide.” 

“Anifera has the potential to pioneer new ways of treating bovine mastitis, offering immediate financial and welfare benefits to dairy farmers,” said Jarne Elleholm, CEO of Stonehaven Incubate. 

“We are committed to helping Anifera advance these important studies and drive innovation to improve the efficacy of antibiotics. We share their goal of ultimately reducing the usage of antibiotics in disease states across animal health where they are the first line of treatment.” 

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.