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Study reveals extent of suboptimal vaccination practice in sheep
Just 7.7 per cent of UK sheep farmers were able to correctly identify the correct location for intramuscular vaccination administration.
Findings highlight a need to streamline training within the industry.

A new study led by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed the extent of suboptimal vaccination practice in sheep and barriers to training for farmers in the UK.

The study, published in Vet Record, provides valuable information for the industry to help guide the education of vaccination techniques. It is hoped that the findings will ultimately improve technique and storage, enhance vaccination efficacy, animal welfare and reduce disease.

In the study, the team led by newly-qualified veterinary surgeon Lauren Hill sent a survey to UK sheep farmers about their vaccination technique and storage, which was studied in regards to training.

Of the 370 respondents, just 26.1 per cent of participants correctly identified the correct location of the subcutaneous, 38 per cent for inter-dermal and 7.7 per cent for intramuscular vaccination administration.

The study also revealed that just 45.5 per cent of respondents stored vaccines in a fridge specific to veterinary medicines, 3.9 per cent used a temperature logger and 6.4 per cent undertook daily fridge temperature checks. In addition, 45.5 per cent of respondents kept vaccines 48 hours or longer after first use and 11.1 per cent kept them until the next time they planned to vaccinate.

Barriers to training were also considered, and the study identified these to be time (45.6%); money (35.8%); not being aware training courses existed (34.8%); feeling they already knew how to vaccinate safely and effectively (40.7%). An additional 73.9 per cent of respondents were unaware of any training courses they could attend, highlighting the need for advertising and promoting training within the industry.

Researchers say the study highlights a need to streamline training within the industry and more uniform messages on vaccination techniques. It also calls for more vaccination training options to be made more available to farmers.

Furthermore, the study shows the opportunities available to vets to assist in the development of vaccination techniques and storage by training farmers, and even the potential for interprofessional collaboration to bridge this knowledge gap.

Dr Nicola Blackie, senior lecturer in production animal science and part of the RVC research team, said: “Suboptimal vaccination technique is not due to unwillingness to attend training but more needs to be done to promote and reach the farmers.

“There is evidence that suboptimal vaccination technique is potentially occurring on UK sheep farms. For all injection types, a wide range of vaccination locations were indicated and a majority improperly administered or stored vaccines.”

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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. 

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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.