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Russia registers first COVID-19 vaccine for animals
Clinical trials of the vaccine involved dogs, cats, arctic foxes and mink.
Vaccine provides immunity from infection for up to six months.

Russia has announced that it has registered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine for animals, with mass production starting in April 2021.

The vaccine, named Karnivak-Kov, was developed by Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s Veterinary Surveillance Service. Use of the vaccine, according to the agency, ‘can prevent the development of virus mutations, which most often occur during inter-species transmission of the pathogen’.

Konstantin Savenkov, deputy head of Rosselkhoznadzor, said: “The clinical trials of Karnivak-Kov, which started in October last year, involved dogs, cats, arctic foxes, minks, foxes and other animals. 

“The results of the research allow us to conclude that the vaccine is harmless and its high immunogenic activity, since all tested vaccinated animals in 100 per cent of cases developed antibodies to coronavirus.”

Rosselkhoznadzor found that Karnivak-Kov provides immunity from COVID-19 infection for up to six months. 

Savenkov added that mass production could start in April based on Russia's 'largest platform for the production of drugs for animals of the Federal Center for Animal Health.'

“The vaccine is of particular importance because, as noted by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), some animal species are susceptible to COVID-19,” he said. “Cases of detection of this disease have been registered in many countries of the world.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.