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Feline pancytopenia research fund launched
"We recognise the pain and upset this illness has caused" - Huw Stacey, director of clinical services, Pets at Home.
The Pets at Home Group is offering £100k to interested researchers. 

UK pet care business Pets at Home has announced a £100k research fund for feline pancytopenia, a rare bone marrow condition where the number of blood cells rapidly decrease.

The fund has been launched following an unusual spike in cases in 2021, which saw 565 cases between June and October. 

During the feline pancytopenia spike, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) opened an investigation, but a definitive cause was unable to be found. 

Pets at Home has committed to finding a long-term solution to the condition, and will use the fund to provide financial support to academics, institutions and researchers seeking to understand feline pancytopenia, identify causes and improve treatment options. 

Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at The Pets at Home Vet Group, said: “For us, pets come first and always will. 

“We supported the FSA’s investigation throughout but flagged at the time that we believed further research was required into this disease and its causes. As a result, we are launching this £100,000 fund to accelerate research into feline pancytopenia and improve understanding within this area.  

“We recognise the pain and upset that this illness has caused, and our hearts go out to all the families whose cats suffered during the pancytopenia outbreak last year.”

“We hope that this funding will facilitate important research and lead to an improved understanding of this disease, supporting vets in providing pets and their owners with the best possible care and minimising and informing responses to any future outbreaks,” added Dr Karen Humm, associate professor in Transfusion Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary College. 

The research fund is now open for applications until 31 May 2022, and any interested parties should contact pcpgrant@petsathome.co.uk for further information. 

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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...
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Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.