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Vigilance urged over haemonchus contortus worm
The Sustainable Control of Parasites (SCOPS) group is calling on producers, vets and advisors to take advantage of free testing for haemonchosis.

Sheep producers and their vets are being advised to take advantage of free testing.

Sheep producers and their vets are being urged to stay vigilant to the Haemonchus contortus worm following the sudden deaths of adult ewes from two flocks in Devon.

Haemonchus contortus is a tropical/sub-tropical worm that is becoming more common in the UK owing to climate change.

An APHA spokesperson said: “At this point in the summer, be alert to the possibility of haemonchosis in grazing sheep and goats, particularly after heavy rains, as Haemonchus contortus is better able to survive in warmer temperatures in contrast to our more usual gastrointestinal parasites.

“Clinical signs are anaemia, with no diarrhoea, and sub-cutaneous oedema (bottle jaw). There is little immunity to this parasite, so disease can be seen in lambs and adults. APHA VIC Carmarthen can carry out differential staining on Trichostrongyle-type eggs to detect H. contortus eggs.”

The Sustainable Control of Parasites (SCOPS) group is calling on producers, vets and advisors to take advantage of free testing for haemonchosis being offered by the APHA through to October. Sheep with anaemia, no diarrhoea, bottle jaw, or where haemonchosis is suspected are eligible for the offer. 

To take advantage of the free testing, a vet must fill in the APHA Small Ruminant Submission Form and send this along with a treatment history. 

All classes of anthelmintic drugs are effective against H. contortus. Furthermore, closantel – a drug for treating live fluke – will kill the parasite.

More information about haemonchosis can be found in the relevant part of the SCOPS Technical Manual

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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.