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Majority of farm fridges record temperatures outside recommended range for vaccines - study
Around 89 per cent of loggers in the study recorded a fridge temperature outside the recommended 2-8°C range.
Farmers encouraged to use thermomenters or loggers to track fridge temperature. 

Farmers are being urged to take action to improve medicine storage after a study found that the majority of farm fridges may not maintain temperatures within the recommended range for vaccines.

With new figures suggesting that around 89 per cent of farm fridges record temperatures outside of the 2-8
°C range, XLVets is encouraging farmers to track the temperature of their fridges and take steps to maximise efficiency.

Rosie Lyle of Bishopton Veterinary Group, a member of XLVets and lead author of the study, said: “It’s important for both farmers and vets to be aware of potential concerns about vaccine efficacy, given the possible impact on herd health and the potential for vaccine failure to reduce trust in vaccines and herd health recommendations.”

In the study, 18 farmers placed temperature loggers in the fridge where they normally store vaccines. Between February and April, 89 per cent of loggers recorded a temperature outside the recommended 2–8
°C range at least once, and 43 per cent recorded temperatures outside this range more than 50 per cent of the time.

It was noted that 55 per cent of the loggers recorded a temperature over 8
°C, and 39 per cent recorded a temperature below 2°C. Across all the fridges monitored, the maximum temperature recorded was 12°C, and the minimum was -11.5°C.

“These findings are concerning for farmers as we know that both too high and too low temperatures can impair vaccine efficacy,” said Rosie, adding that live vaccines tend to be particularly sensitive to elevated temperatures while inactivated vaccines are more affected by freezing.

In light of the findings, farmers are being encouraged to use max/min thermometers or temperature loggers to track fridge temperature and take steps to maximise the efficiency of each fridge. Simple interventions might include ensuring fridges are not subject to wide variations in external temperature and enabling adequate airflow, said XLVets.

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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.