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WFFS mutation in Thoroughbreds investigated
Mutation is only present at a very low frequency

Mutation is not genetic risk factor and only present at very low frequency

Researchers at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine have published the results of a study that investigated the frequency of the warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) mutation in Thoroughbreds.

The study demonstrated that this mutation is not a genetic risk factor for catastrophic breakdown and is only present at a very low frequency in this breed.

Warmblood fragile foal syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, meaning that a horse needs to have two copies of the mutation to be affected. WFFS is a fatal genetic defect of connective tissue characterised by hyper-extensible, abnormally thin, fragile skin and mucous membranes.

More than 700 Thoroughbreds were tested for the WFFS mutation, including 22 catastrophic breakdown fatalities. The allele frequency among all samples was 1.2 per cent and the carrier rate (or horses with one copy) was 2.4 per cent. None of the horses in the study had two copies of the mutation and only one of the 22 catastrophic breakdown cases carried the WFFS allele.

Since the allele was found to be present in the Thoroughbred population – albeit at a low frequency – genetic testing could eliminate the possibility of breeding two carriers with the potential of producing an affected offspring.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory offers a WFFS genetic test and recommends testing for all warmblood breeds.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.