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: 10th November 2011
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
Research Promises Five-Fold Reduction of Footrot in Sheep
University of Warwick has revealed research set to reduce footrot in sheep.

Researchers at the University of Warwick have shown that proper management of footrot has the potential to cut lameness from one in ten to one in fifty sheep.

The research promises a transformation in tackling the endemic disease, which causes lameness in around 9 million ewes and lambs in Great Britain every year.

The research has prompted the Sheep Veterinary Society to draft new recommendations, to be published nationally, on the treatment and control of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in sheep.

The treatment has been tested in India and is as effective there as it is in the UK.

Professor Laura Green, who led the research team, said: “Footrot is contagious and extremely painful for diseased sheep, and costly to the farming industry.

“Our research is significant because it can have an immediate impact on the disease with rapid cure  in three to five days, minimising the time that sheep are lame as well as increasing productivity for farmers.”

The work is part of a £1.4 million Biotechnological and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded project at the University of Warwick, in collaboration with the University of Bristol.

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

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. 

Click here for more...
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.