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WSAVA issues new coronavirus guidance
"We urge our members to ensure owners follow our guidance and keep themselves and their companion animals safe" - Dr Shane Ryan, WSAVA President.

Vets urged to advise owners not to panic

Following the outbreak of the new coronavirus (2019 n-CoV) in China, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has prepared an advisory document and a set of Frequently Asked Questions to help its members when discussing the epidemic with clients.


The move comes in response to reports of animals being abandoned or killed because their owners fear they may carry the virus. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that cats or dogs can be infected with the new coronavirus, nor is there evidence to show that pets or other animals might be a source of infection to people.

The guidance calls on veterinary surgeons to tell owners ‘not to panic’ but warns that the situation is ‘rapidly evolving' and that information will be updated 'as it becomes available'.

“There is still much we don’t know about 2019-CoV and, while the priority is to bring the outbreak of the infection caused to people under control as soon as possible, we are concerned for animal welfare with reports of animals being abandoned or killed because their owners fear that they might carry the virus,” said WSAVA president Dr Shane Ryan.


“There is no evidence that this is necessary and we urge our members to ensure owners follow our guidance and keep themselves and their companion animals safe.” 


WSAVA’s One Health Committee chair Dr Michael Lappin recommends that veterinary surgeons advise owners to:

 • keep their companion animals with them if they are self-quarantined
 • keep cats inside
 • arrange care for any animals left at home if family or friends are hospitalised
 • contact their veterinary surgeon immediately if they have questions or concerns.


The advisory document also warns vets against using vaccines for canine enteric coronavirus, available in some global markets, in the hope they may offer some protection against 2019 n-CoV. Currently, there is no evidence that vaccinating dogs with commercial vaccines will protect against 2019 n-CoV since the viruses are distinctly different variants.

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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.