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Vets treat Chihuahua with rare dwarfism condition
Pixie was diagnosed with hyposomatotropism.
Pixie weighed just 500g at six months old.

A Chihuahua with a rare dwarfism condition is making good progress after receiving growth hormone treatment at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ Hospital for Small Animals.

Pixie was referred to the hospital when she was six months old after her veterinary surgeon had become concerned about her growth and development.

When referred to the hospital, she weighed less than 500 grammes. She was uncoordinated, her energy levels were very low, and she had collapsed several times due to low blood sugar despite being regularly fed. Her baby teeth had also still not been replaced with adult teeth.

The veterinary team at the hospital conducted a series of scans and tests, leading to a diagnosis of hyposomatotropism (pituitary dwarfism).

Pixie was prescribed regular injections of progesterone to stimulate the production of growth hormone from her mammary glands to replace the lack of hormones from her underdeveloped pituitary gland.

After a few months of the treatment, Pixie reached a healthy weight and body condition. She was also able to better regulate her glucose levels and gained her adult teeth.

The treatment will need to be continued for the rest of Pixie’s life and, despite now being a healthy weight, she will be smaller than other Chihuahuas.

Alisdair Boag, a senior lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School and an RCVS specialist in small animal medicine, said: “Pixie is a wonderful patient; watching her grow and thrive has been a real pleasure.

“It is so rewarding to see the positive difference we can make for our patients and their owners.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.