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Novel mutation identified in Standardbred horse
The foal provided an exciting opportunity to identify the variation as it occurred.
Scientists at UC Davis tracked the origination example. 

Scientists at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) have tracked a genetic variation in a unique foal born in New Zealand with a sabino-like white spotting pattern.

Using genetic analysis. the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory determined that the white pattern in the Standardbred foal is a novel mutation, or de novo. Meaning that the mutation occurred during the foal's development.

Dr Rebecca Bellone, director of the laboratory, explained the significance of the discovery: “Discovering a de novo mutation is always exciting as most of the time as geneticists we are trying to trace the history of genetic variation, not identifying the variation in the generation in which they occur.”

Born at Wai Eyre Farm in New Zealand, the Standardbred filly was tested for parentage and then for colour coat testing. Following this, genetic analysis using  Ion Torrent S5 amplicon sequencing to discover the novel variant. 

The team at UC Davis collaborated with InfogeneNZ and the International Society for Animal Genetics to conduct the research.

Dr Bellone added: “This discovery shows how breeding remains relevant today for helping us to understand the way that mutations occur and their effects on the living world.”

The article, published in Animal Genetics, can be accessed via this link. The full text is behind a paywall.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.