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In brief AMR DEVELOPMENT:

Scientists have said Tasmanian devils’ milk could play a part in antibiotic resistance. Researchers, led by The University of Sydney PhD student Emma Peel, tested 25 multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA and Enterococcus, against the peptide cathelicidins in the animal’s milk and found the bacteria died when exposed. Six fungal strains were also tested and had similar results. Tasmanian devils are born with an underdeveloped immune system and raised in their mother’s pouch, which has high levels of bacteria that should kill young offspring due to underdevelopment, but don’t.

CLAWLESS CAT: The RSPCA is appealing for information about what happened to a matted, emaciated and clawless cat found in Kirton, Lincolnshire. The charity was contacted by a couple concerned about a cat in their garden. On examination, it was found to have no microchip, weighed 2.1kg – around half of what it should have – and had ear mites and fleas. The cat, named Rinder, is being cared for at private boarding by RSPCA East Lincolnshire branch and will be available for rehoming once fit and healthy.

QUEEN’S AWARD: The Mobile Vet has been presented with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for outstanding achievement in the category of innovation. In a ceremony at The Mobile Vet surgery on the Isle of Wight, the award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight. Husband and wife Dan and Kirsty Forster, who run the business, met the Queen at a reception at Buckingham Palace in the summer and said they were “honoured” to receive the award.

CANINE OA: T-Cyte Therapeutics has announced the US launch of Lymphocyte T-Cell Immunomodulator (LTCI) as the first US Department of Agriculture-approved treatment for canine OA, which affects 16 to 20 million dogs in the US. LTCI is administered by vets via an injection under the dog’s skin and has been shown to increase the number and function of precursors of certain regulatory cells, thereby dampening the immune-mediated process associated with OA.

ANIMAL SIMULATORS: Students at Utrecht University in the Netherlands are developing their practical skills without setting foot outside the classroom, thanks to technology that simulates real life situations. Developed by UK vet Sarah Baillie and Virtalis markets, the Haptic Cow and Haptic Horse have enhanced student confidence, the univeristy said.

WRITE FOR US: Veterinary Times is looking for articles. Subject can be clinical, surgical, research or medicine and a fee is payable for articles published. Email jackiemorrison@vbd.co.uk

CHICKENS are now the UK’s sixth most popular pet, but the majority of vets are “dumb-founded” when presented with a poorly bird in their sur-gery, it has been claimed.

The increasing modern popu-larity of domestic fowl has been highlighted in a pet population report from the Pet Food Man-ufacturers’ Association.

Its survey showed half a mil-lion domestic fowl are kept as pets in the UK behind dogs (8.5 million), cats (7.5 million), outdoor fish (20 million), indoor fish (16 million) and rabbits (0.8 million).

Chris Graham, editor of Prac-tical Poultry, said vets were seeing more domestic chick-ens and, due to so few vets having in-depth knowledge of individual chicken health, the magazine features a “chicken- friendly vet list” of practices.

He said: “We publish the ch icken-f r iend ly vet l i s t because many vets know next to nothing about hens, so are dumbfounded when presented with a poorly bird at their surgery.

“The list features practices that have practical experi-

PFMA pet chicken numbers suggest need for vet training

ence with – and good, working knowledge of – chickens, so readers know taking their birds to one of them will result in an authoritative diagnosis and treatment plan.”

He added the RCVS had introduced more specialist chicken-related training in its syllabus to help address the knowledge gap due to the increasing number kept as pets.

ResponsibilityS t e p h e n L i s t e r , a n RCVS-recognised specialist in poultry medicine and pro-duction, said it was vital the profession took its responsi-bilities seriously in addressing the health and welfare of all poultry – from those kept as companions or for show, to those for small-scale “back-yard” production or in larger commercial settings.

One issue, he said, is while interest in poultry ownership

was increasing, it meant hens were often kept by people with little or no experience or knowl-edge of how to keep them in a domestic setting.

Mr Lister said: “That is not to criticise such keepers, but to demonstrate how important it is for the profession to step up and engage as guardians of the health and welfare of animals in society.

“I think, if domestic poultry keeping continues to increase, there is a responsibility on vets to be available as a source of information on poultry disease, husbandry/management and issues with potential zoonoses.”

One problem, he said, is com-panion animal practices fre-quently seem to have conflict as to whether backyard poultry keeping qualifies as a compan-ion animal or small-scale farm animal enterprise. He said if it is the latter, many practices con-sider it not their responsibility.

Whatever the reason, he said, the area has been neglected and would benefit from more veterinary involvement at undergraduate and postgrad-uate level.

“I am confident all new grad-

uates will be presented with an avian species in the first few months following graduation and have a clear responsibility to support and educate their clients,” he said.

“I do not think many under-graduate courses take this seri-ously, nor are many undergrad-uates engaged – it is not seen as ‘sexy’ or serious by many students, often seeming to be a complete mystery.

“But those who do engage f ind it an interesting and rewarding area, with many cli-ents beating a path to the door of vets showing an interest.”

Enhanced engagement between vets and poultry keep-ers, the availability of more poultry CPD and practitioners increasing their knowledge of husbandry and welfare issues could improve the situation, he said. He acknowledged a number of practitioners take an interest in and engage with the issue, but he would like to see more doing so.

Raising awareness of chick-ens in the veterinary sphere is a key objective of the British Hen Welfare Trust. Founder Jane Howorth said as the popularity

of hens increases – the charity rehomes more than 50,000 a year – vets will see more of them in practice.

More supportMrs Howorth said: “As we rehome so many hens, it is vital they have veterinary support in the background, otherwise we are only doing half the job.

“More veterinary support is needed as it has become apparent their knowledge on the treatment and diagnosis of backyard hens is limited.”

The reason for this was two-fold, she said. It is partly down to training – vets learn how to treat a flock of 10,000, but not individual pet hens – and partly due to lack of awareness as to the value owners place on pet hens.

Mrs Howorth added: “They are commonly described as being like cats and dogs with feathers, and it’s true – you can interact with chickens just as much.”l Read more chicken examina-tion advice in Isabel Manning’s article published in Veterinary Times (VT46.41) or via www.vettimes.co.uk/?p=135445

report byHollyKernothollykernot@vbd.co.uk01733 383562

A WEST Midlands practice is the first in the UK to receive platinum accreditation after completing the Compassion Understood Pet Loss Support Training Programme.

All nursing and reception staff (pictured) at Clent Hills Veterinary Group’s surgeries in Bromsgrove and Hagley underwent the online training, with practical advice on protocols and veterinary procedures to make a pet’s end of life as smooth and trouble-free as possible.

It also taught staff about different stages of grief and understanding owners’ feelings, such as guilt, shock and despair. Points are awarded according to the percentage of a team that

has undergone training, with four accreditation levels: platinum, gold, silver and bronze.

Clent Hills has also set up a bereavement room and ensures clients have time in appointments to discuss what will happen during euthanasia, and be able to sit quietly after the event. A trained receptionist is also available to talk to clients.

Clent Hills director and practice manager Rebekka Fiorani said: “We are thrilled to be the first platinum-accredited practice. Staff have gained so much confidence when faced with difficult conversations about end-of-life care. It is no longer something they shy away from.”

For programme details, visit http://bit.ly/2dZoI0E

Training helps practice go platinum

THE BVA has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of a regionalised approach to eliminating bTB in Wales as part of the refreshed bTB Eradication Programme.

Under the refreshed programme, low, intermediate and high TB areas will be established across Wales based on bTB incidence levels. Each area will have a tailored approach to reflect the varying disease conditions and risks.

The Welsh Government is also con-sulting on the measures to be applied to

protect the low TB area and reduce dis-ease in intermediate and high TB areas.

Neil Paton, president of the BVA Welsh Branch, said: “We welcome this announcement and the Welsh Govern-ment’s commitment to tackling bTB. We are heartened to see the focus on risk-based assessment and the targeting of chronically infected herds with individual action plans, to be developed in partner-ship with farmers, vets and the APHA.

“We also welcome the recognition of the role played by the wildlife reservoir

of disease. However, we are concerned if badger culling by cage-trapping and shooting is not part of the refreshed eradication programme, there needs to be an evidence-based plan in place and other viable options must be proposed.

“The test and vaccinate or remove model being explored in Northern Ireland had previously been discounted in Wales after modelling suggested it was not a viable option. As vets, we are committed to working with the Welsh Government and Welsh farmers on a

comprehensive strategy to control and eradicate this disease.”

BVA president Gudrun Ravetz said: “We have always argued bTB will only be eradicated through a comprehensive programme using all the tools available. We welcome such an approach in the Welsh Government’s refreshed eradi-cation programme. We will continue to work with all UK governments to control and eradicate the disease where it is present and prevent incursions in Scot-land, which is officially TB-free.”

BVA supports regionalised bTB elimination approach

A RESPONSES summary to Defra’s animal establishments licens-ing in England review has been published.

The consultation ran for 12 weeks, from 20 December 2015 to 12 March 2016, with 1,709 responses received. Of these, 1,386 were substantive that specifically addressed the questions in the consultation document. Of these, almost 50 per cent were from the public and 2.24 per cent were from vets. Key findings were:l More than 70 per cent want introduction of a general animal estab-lishment licence, connected to improved model licence conditions.l 90 per cent agreed with proposals to prohibit the sale of puppies younger than eight weeks.l 64 per cent agreed with a proposal to make clear the statutory licensing threshold for breeders is set at three or more litters per year (the consultation proposes to retain the existing requirements each breeding bitch should only produce one litter per 12-month period).l 90 per cent agreed with the proposal to legally require pet sales to provide written information when selling animals.l 83 per cent agreed with the proposal to allow licences to be issued for a fixed term, set at any point in the year. A proposal to increase the maximum length of a local authority licence to up to three years received a mixed response, with 48 per cent of respondents positive and 40 per cent negative.l 72 per cent agreed with the proposal to maintain the registration requirement for performing animals.l 72 per cent agreed with a proposal to increase legal powers of entry available to local authorities wishing to inspect registered animal establishment premises.

Licensing review replies

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October 21, 2016