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Traditional frequent worming of horses 'unnecessary' – study
"No adverse health affects were seen that could be ascribed to scaling down de-wroming intensity" - Dr Martin Nielsen.

Researchers assess the effect of different parasite control protocols.

Reducing worming intensity does not have any adverse health risks to horses, according to new research.

Writing in the Equine Veterinary Journal, researchers describe their study in which they examined the worm egg count levels, bodyweight and equine health of groups of mares and foals under different parasite control protocols.

The protocols included traditional frequent de-worming and drug rotation, and the currently recommended protocols of less de-worming and more egg counts.

Their study determined that the traditional approach of frequent routine de-worming at pre-determined intervals, without the use of diagnostic testing, is unnecessary.

Study leader Dr Martin Nielsen said that a persistent growing resistance to anthelmintics is challenging researchers to find more sustainable parasite control programmes.

“De-worming every six to eight weeks and rotating between products is still very common around the world, but this sort of carpet bombing is completely unnecessary and drug rotation does not prevent drug resistance," he said.

“Many people are not comfortable with de-worming less frequently, thinking it will compromise horse health, but our study shows that this is not the case; no adverse health effects were seen that could be ascribed to scaling down de-worming intensity.”

BEVA chair of health and medicines David Rendle added: "This study provides further evidence to show that there is no justification for the traditional approach of calendar-based routine treatment and gives further reassurance that the frequency of treatment can be reduced without detriment to equine health or development of youngstock.

"Spreading this information will hopefully encourage any horse owners who have not done so already to change from their old-fashioned habits of frequent de-worming, to a diagnostic test-led, or at least a more strategic approach with routine drug-resistance testing"

Two short videos,one for vets and one for horse owners, have been produced to help explain the findings and for veterianry practices to share with their clients on social media.

 

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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.