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: 19th September 2023
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

Support scheme launches for complex strangles cases
Redwings launched the scheme at this year's BEVA Congress.

Vets will be able to contact mentors via phone and email.

The equine welfare charity Redwings has launched a new scheme to support veterinary surgeons dealing with complex cases of strangles.

The Guttural Pouch Scoping Support Scheme was launched at this year’s British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress, where the charity handed out cards containing a scannable QR code.

The scheme offers a range of assistance to veterinary surgeons, including confidential one-to-one telephone calls with a clinical mentor and a dedicated WhatsApp group or email to share images and videos.

The mentors are experienced in using endoscopy in a variety of situations, including post-infection screening, strangles carrier diagnosis, chondroid removal, management of persistently infected equines and guttural pouch flushing.

They can also offer practical advice on the scopes and accessories suited to particular cases and provide information on the latest best-practice guidance, research findings, and new products.

The charity has been offering advice on strangles for some time, but this year has formalised the support as part of its Stamp Out Strangles Campaign.

Nic de Brauwere, head of welfare and behaviour at Redwings, said: “If you are a vet who is dealing with a tricky strangles case, would like to skill up on guttural pouch endoscopy or are unsure which scoping tools are best in different situations, then we are here to help.”

At this year's congress, Redwings also contributed to the Infectious Disease Panel, with Helen Whitelegg, research and and policy officer at the charity, appearing as one of the speakers.

Talking about the panel, Dr Whitelegg said: “We're delighted to be able to talk to vets about the Human Behaviour Change approach we use to campaign on strangles. We know that information alone has limited impact, so we're working to make practical biosecurity a simpler, more achievable part of everyday horse care.”

Veterinary surgeons can contact Redwings’ Scoping Support Scheme by emailing scoping@redwings.co.uk or calling 01508 481008.

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.