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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

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.