Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Dispute arises over Geronimo post-mortem results
Geronimo was euthanised on Tuesday 31 August following a lengthy legal battle to save him.
Supporters of the alpaca dispute Government examination findings.

A dispute has arisen over the results of a post-mortem examination carried out on Geronimo the alpaca, who was put down following a four-year legal battle over two positive bovine tuberculosis (TB) tests.

On Wednesday (8 September), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed that several TB-like lesions had been found in Geronimo that are now undergoing further investigation. They added that the full post-mortem results would be completed by the end of the year. 

Defra officials and Police officers removed eight-year-old Geronimo from his home at in South Gloucestershire on Tuesday 31 August, and later confirmed that the animal had been euthanised. 

Following Geronimo's death, owner Helen Macdonald RVN, requested a copy of the post-mortem examination. Lawyer’s acting for Ms Macdonald confirmed she had received a letter containing the preliminary findings, which had been reviewed by veterinary surgeons. 

A statement issued by the lawyers reads: “As reviewed by Dr Iain McGill and Dr Bob Broadbent, the preliminary gross post-mortem findings are negative for visible lesions typical of bovine tuberculosis.

“For clarity, there are no white or cream caseous, enlarged abscesses typical for bTB in alpacas whether in the lungs, bronchial, mediastinal or retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

"She has further requested that both fresh, frozen and formalin-fixed tissue and fluid samples be preserved and provided to an independent expert to carry out further tests."

In contradiction to this letter, chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss, said: “We have completed the initial post-mortem examination of Geronimo. A number of TB-like lesions were found and in line with standard practice, these are now undergoing further investigation.

“These tests include the developing of bacteriological cultures from tissue samples which usually takes several months - we would expect to complete the full post-mortem and culture process by the end of the year.”

Geronimo was brought over to the UK from New Zealand in 2017 and tested positive for TB shortly after. Since then, Ms Macdonald has spent tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees trying to save him.

The Government applied for a court order for Geronimo's destruction in 2018, after which the alpaca was given a stay of execution, with a deadline of the end of August.

Ms Macdonald launched a judicial review claiming that Government experts relied on "flawed science" and that her animal was healthy. The move marked the start of a long series of legal battles.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
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.