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: 16th May 2013
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
Equine grass sickness warnings
AHT reminds owners to remain vigilant

 The Animal Health Trust (AHT) has reminded owners to be vigilant for cases of equine grass sickness (EGS) as spring arrives.

Cases of the debilitating and largely fatal disease tend to rise in the spring, and particularly May, prompting the AHT's warning.

The trust notes particular clinical signs for owners to be aware of, including depression, colic, constipation, muscle tremors and drooping eyelids.

Other signs mentioned include rapid heart rate, drooling, naso-gastric reflux, patchy or generalised sweating and problems with swallowing.

Owners have been warned to contact their vet immediately if any of these signs are displayed, as the disease has a mortality rate of 85 per cent, and only mild cases have a chance of survival.

Along with the EGS Fund and the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool, the AHT has developed a nationwide EGS surveillance scheme.

In order to improve understanding of the prevalence of EGS, the trust is calling on vets and owners to confidentially submit information on any cases of the disease seen since the year 2000.

Click here for more information on EGS or the EGS surveillance scheme.

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.