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Border terrier research receives funding boost
Border terriers are predisposed to gall bladder mucoceles.
A grant of up to £30,000 has been made available to study gall bladder mucoceles.

Researchers are being invited to apply for a grant of up to £30,000 to support the study of gall bladder mucoceles (GBM) in Border terriers.

Practitioners, academics, and joint applications between practice and academia are welcome to apply for the funding, made possible thanks to a generous £17,000 donation from Border Terrier LifeLine founders Andrew and Wendy Mooney, with additional funding from BSAVA PetSavers.

GMB is caused by the thick deposition of gelatinous bile in the gall bladder lumen. The condition causes the gall bladder to fill with a thick mucus, which may also block the bile duct. Without being spotted, it can lead to gall bladder rupture and cause biliary peritonitis, which can be deadly. 

While the root cause of GBM in dogs is unknown, some breeds appear more genetically predisposed to the condition, including Border terriers, cocker spaniels, Shetland sheepdogs and miniature schnauzers. 

Andrew and Wendy Mooney said: “We knew through social media, friends and contacts that many Border terriers have suffered from, and many have lost their life to GBM, and that is what makes this so relevant.

“Such a large percentage of dogs presenting this condition at veterinary surgeries are Border terriers, and what has really motivated us to donate this sum is why should it affect a disproportionate number of Border terriers, and is there some way of reducing the number of Borders succumbing to GBM and when they do, can we improve their chances of survival and living a good quality of life after?”

They added: “We hope that by donating this sum of money, that the research on this can be taken forward, either by a different route or expanded on findings already produced.”

Sarah Williams, BSAVA PetSavers fundraising and grant awards manager, said: “To be able to offer a new grant is fantastic news for BSAVA PetSavers. We are grateful to Andrew and Wendy for their incredible donation and hope that the outcome of this research can help future cases of GBM in Border terriers”.

Grant applications will remain open until 31 January 2023, with a funding decision to be reached in October of the same year. The project must take place within the UK and must not involve the use of experimental animals.

For more information and an application form, visit the BSAVA PetSavers website.

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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. 

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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.