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Besnoitiosis reported in UK donkeys for the first time
Equine besnoitiosis leads to the development of tiny cysts on the surface of the eye.

Rare disease discovered in 20 donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary.
 
A chronic and debilitating equine disease has been identified in donkeys in the UK for the first time.

Writing in the journal Parasites and Vectors, researchers report the discovery of equine besnoitiosis in 20 donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary during the period 2013-2019.

Equine besnoitiosis a rare disease that occurs in horses, donkeys, mules and zebras. Donkeys with the condition develop multiple parasitic cysts on the skin, over the nostrils, ears and face.

A unique feature of besnoitiosis is the development of tiny cysts on the surface of the eye. Some infected animals remain otherwise healthy, while others become thin and debilitated. Until recently,
besnoitiosis was a rare condition in most countries, including in the US, Spain, Belgium, and Italy.

Equine besnoitiosis was first detected in the UK in 2013 when a donkey at the Donkey Sanctuary was presented with skin lumps presumed to be sarcoid tumours. Analysis of the affected skin tissue revealed the presence of cysts similar to those caused by the parasite Besnoitia bennetti, together with the finding of tissue changes associated with a sarcoid.

The discovery triggered a collaboration between clinicians at the Donkey Sanctuary and a veterinary parasitologist from the University of Nottingham. Since then more than 20 clinical cases have been identified and studied.

“Given the relative proximity to other European countries, where clinical besnoitiosis is apparent, our findings will inform British vets of the potential for this emerging disease so that they can better recognise the pattern of clinical signs during clinical examination, said Dr Rebekah Sullivan, co-author of the report and a vet at the Donkey Sanctuary.
 
Lead author Dr Hany Elsheikha of the University of Nottingham, said: “It is absolutely essential – particularly now – that vets in the UK learn more about besnoitiosis, so they can identify and protect donkeys potentially at risk.
 
“Knowledge obtained in this study should improve our response to this emerging parasitic disease in donkeys in the UK, especially with the few treatment options and the unknown routes of transmission.”

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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.