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This paper describes the disease risk assessment procedure that is adopted for wildlife and conservation interventions controlled by wildlife legislation in England. A simple risk algorithm was developed that is used to identify and prioritise the procedures of most concern. The process provides a system that is intended to be practicable to implement, proportionate to the associated risks, and ensures that costs are not escalated so that the activity becomes unviable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection of pigs with influenza A H1N1 2009 virus (A(H1N1)pdm09) was first detected in England in November 2009 following global spread of the virus in the human population. This paper describes clinical and epidemiological findings in the first English pig farms in which A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus was detected. These farms showed differences in disease presentation, spread and duration of infection. The factors likely to influence these features are described and relate to whether pigs were housed or outdoors, the age of the pigs, intercurrent disease and the management system of the unit. Infection could be mild or clinically inapparent in breeding pigs with more typical respiratory disease being identified later in their progeny. Mortality was low where disease was uncomplicated by environmental stresses or concurrent infections. Where deaths occurred in pigs infected with A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza, they were mainly due to other infections, including streptococcal disease due to Streptococcus suis infection. This paper demonstrates the ease with which A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was transmitted horizontally and maintained in a pig population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in a population of commercial dairy herds in England and Wales was estimated using an ELISA that detected antibodies to F hepatica in bulk tank milk. A total of 3130 milk samples, obtained as convenience samples from two commercial milk-testing laboratories, were tested during the winter of 2006/07. Herds considered to be seropositive were categorised as low positive, medium positive or high positive. A geospatial map was drawn to show the distribution of infected herds and the seroprevalence of exposure at regional level, using the Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics boundaries, and at a finer spatial level defined by postcode area. Overall, 76 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 74 to 77 per cent) of herds carried antibodies to F hepatica; the seroprevalence in England was 72 per cent (95 per cent CI 70 to 74 per cent) and in Wales it was 84 per cent (95 per cent CI 82 to 86 per cent). The highest prevalences of exposure were found in north-west England, where more than 47 per cent of herds were in the high positive exposure category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current re-evaluation of responsibility and cost sharing between the public and private sectors with reference to animal health and welfare (AHW) would be improved by a greater understanding of the contributions made at farm level. This knowledge would facilitate the design of a cost-sharing system which best balances technical, economic and political objectives. This paper presents a framework by which the farm-level investment in AHW can be assessed. An evaluation of data available for the framework was made and, as a benchmark, an estimate of total expenditure on veterinary medical inputs for commercial agricultural holdings in England calculated. In 2010/2011 it is calculated that farmers on commercial holdings in England spent £230 million on veterinary medicines and fees, with an additional £160 million being spent for horses kept on non-commercial holdings. By contrast, for 2012/2013, Defra budgeted £277 million on AHW. The results presented emphasise the critical importance of generating sufficient evidence to support the development of an efficient, equitable and sustainable AHW strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A monophasic group B Salmonella enterica 4,12:a:-- was first isolated in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Scotland in 1991. This paper reports the isolation of the same group B S enterica from harbour porpoise carcases found stranded along the Cornwall and Devon coastlines. Between 1991 and 2002, 80 harbour porpoises were submitted for postmortem examination and subjected to bacteriological examination under the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. A total of 28 Salmonella isolates were recovered and subjected to several tests, including biochemical, molecular and serological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a cattle farm in Normandy, Surrey, was confirmed on Friday August 3, 2007, the first case in the UK since 2001. The infection was detected nearby on a second farm on August 6. On September 12, FMD was confirmed on a farm approximately 20 km from Normandy in Egham, and this was followed by cases on five more farms in that area in the next three weeks. The majority of the infected farms consisted of multiple beef cattle holdings in semi-urban areas. In total, 1578 animals were culled on the infected farms, and FMD virus infection was confirmed in 278 of them by the detection of viral antigen, genome or antibodies to the virus, or by clinical signs. This paper describes the findings from animal inspections on the infected farms, including the estimated ages of the FMD lesions and the numbers of animals infected, It also summarises the test results from samples taken for investigation, including the detection of preclinically viraemic animals by using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire was developed to look at attitudes to veterinary medicine as a career choice among students at different stages of the veterinary course at the Royal Veterinary College. Traditional-entry first-year and final-year students, as well as entry-level 'Gateway' (widening participation) students, were invited to participate. Wanting to work with animals and exposure to a veterinary role model through taking a sick animal to visit a veterinary surgeon appeared to be major factors in choosing a veterinary career for all undergraduates, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Overall, women were more strongly influenced by owning animals (P=0.014), and men were more positively influenced by the challenging reputation of the course (P=0.028). When the students were asked to indicate their top three reasons for wanting to become a vet, men were 9.5 times as likely as women to select 'Want to train as a scientist', 5.3 times as likely to select 'Join a profession' and 13.2 times as likely to select 'Hardest course to get in to'; the top choice for both sexes was 'Want to work with animals'. Thirty-one per cent of the students felt their careers adviser had been a negative influence on their decision to become a vet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2005 and 2007, data were collected from game farms across England and Wales to examine the effects of the use of bits on the physiological condition and behaviour of pheasants. On each site, two pheasant pens kept in the same conditions were randomly allocated to either use bits or not. The behaviour and physiological conditions of pheasants in each treatment pen were assessed on the day of bitting and weekly thereafter until release. Detailed records of feed usage, medications and mortality were also kept. Bits halved the number of acts of bird-on-bird pecking, but they doubled the incidence of headshaking and scratching. Bits caused nostril inflammation and bill deformities in some birds, particularly after seven weeks of age. In all weeks after bitting, feather condition was poorer in nonbitted pheasants than in those fitted with bits. Less than 3 per cent of bitted birds had damaged skin, but in the non-bitted pens this figure increased over time to 23 per cent four weeks later. Feed use and mortality did not differ between bitted and non-bitted birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A census-based epidemiological study was carried out to investigate factors associated with cat ownership in a semi-rural community of 1278 households in Cheshire, UK. Twenty-two per cent of the households were identified as cat-owning and 52 per cent owned a pet of any type. There was evidence to suggest that some types of household were more likely to own a cat than others. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that households were less likely to own a cat if they had one dog compared with no dog, but were more likely to have a cat if they also owned a horse. There was strong evidence that the composition of members of the household was also associated with cat ownership. Households that included people over 60 years old were less likely to own a cat. Households that consisted only of male adults were less likely to own a cat when compared with mixed-sex households. Conversely, households consisting only of female adults were more likely to own a cat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathological findings are described in three cases of infectious canine hepatitis in free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in England. The foxes died after short periods of clinical illness. Mild jaundice and hepatic congestion were evident grossly. On histopathological examination, intranuclear inclusion bodies were visible in hepatocytes, in association with hepatocyte dissociation and necrosis, as well as in renal glomeruli, renal tubular epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells. Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) was isolated from all three foxes. In a serological study, antibodies to CAV-1 were detected in tissue fluid extracts taken from 11 of 58 (19 per cent) frozen red fox carcases from England and Scotland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a paper prepared by the British Equine Veterinary Association on the horse passports due to come into force in England on November 30, 2003. Value of the passport system in preventing medicines not intended for use in animals used for food from entering the food chain; Difficulties that could arise in identifying horses.

Orf is a viral disease found in English sheep flocks which can cause economic losses. It is a zoonosis with little epidemiological research available in the UK. In 2012, 3000 questionnaires were sent to English sheep farms in order to investigate the prevalence of orf, determine vaccination efficacy and to identify some of the potential risk factors. The usable response rate was 25.4 per cent. The usable farms (N=762 in the years 2011 and 2012) were used to model the percentage of animals affected on the farm, and the probability of a farm being found with the disease. The disease prevalence (DP) was standardised for the year and calculated as 1.88 per cent for ewes and 19.53 per cent for lambs. The disease risk ratio (RR) for the use of the vaccine was calculated as 2.04 for ewes and 0.75 for lambs, and therefore, the study found that lamb vaccination was beneficial (RR <1). Weed infestation and an increased number of orphan lambs were associated with increased cases of orf. We conclude that the DP in ewes and lambs affect each other, though the impact is higher for lambs in the presence of increasing prevalence in ewes. A short lambing season lowers the probability of a farm experiencing cases of orf. Vaccination was effective in lambs but not in ewes, though lambs benefitted when ewes were vaccinated (reduced orf prevalence in lambs born from vaccinated ewes), probably because any unvaccinated ewes may have been carriers that could spread the virus to the new-born lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum, was first reported in indigenous dogs in southwestern England in 1980 and has since been recorded in Wales, southeastern England and, more recently, in the West Midlands, northern England and Scotland. The nationwide distribution of the parasite was evaluated using a postal questionnaire sent to 3950 small animal practices during 2009. Information was sought on the location of each practice, awareness of the parasite locally, number of cases diagnosed over the past year and whether diagnosis was based on clinical signs alone or supported by additional tests. 1419 practices returned a usable response, the majority being located in a city/town. Nearly one-third of responding practices were aware of the parasite locally, 20.7 per cent had seen at least one confirmed case and 0.3 per cent >20 confirmed cases over the past year. The most widely used tests were faecal examination and any type of imaging. Existing clusters of infection were detected in southeastern England and south Wales; infection was also found to be widespread in central England, though patchy in northern England and Scotland. Using distribution of clinical cases as an indicator of parasite distribution, this study confirmed that A. vasorum has spread beyond traditional UK endemic foci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council meeting held at the Belgravia House, London, England on March 5, 2009 is presented. Jerry Davies, chairman of the RCVS presented a paper regarding their mission statement. Richard Stephenson talked about the need for the College to focus on animal welfare. On the other hand, Peter Jinman mentioned that RCVS must be selective regarding the high-level issues and give more emphasis on it.

The article reports that Russell Lewis Oakes from Lancashire, England, has been arrested by police following a complaint by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) that he had fraudulently registered as a veterinary surgeon using false papers. The complaint claimed that Oakes used a forged qualification from Murdoch University in Western Australia to register with the RCVS in November 2006.

Information about various topics discussed during the meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) on June 7, 2007 at the Belgravia House in Horseferry Road in London, England is presented. It highlights the discussion of the forthcoming medicines legislation that will require the registration of practice premises. It also features the call for better communication between practices and clients to decrease complaints.

Highlights the 2004 British Veterinary Association's annual awards ceremony on October 1, 2004 as part of the Association's congress in London, England. Presentation of the Dalrymple-Champneys cup and medal to Paul Flecknell whose main clinical and research interests and anesthesia and analgesia of all species of animals; Designation of Nigel Harcourt-Brown as the William Hunting Award recipient for his paper "Development of the Skeleton and Feathers of Dusky Parrots"; Recipient of the Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Travel Scholarship.

Highlights the international conference on exotic and wild animal medicine held in London, England. Topics covered in the event; Investigation on animal disease, diagnosis and treatment; Presentation of papers related to animal health.

The cause for the high prevalence of cefotaximase-producing Escherichia coli reported in dairy calves is unknown but may be partly due to the selective pressure of antimicrobial residues in waste milk (milk unfit for human consumption) fed to the calves. Antimicrobial use and waste milk feeding practices were investigated in 557 dairy farms in 2010/2011 that responded to a randomised stratified postal survey. The mean number of cases of mastitis per herd in the previous year was 47, and 93 per cent of respondents used antibiotic intramammary tubes to treat mastitis. The most frequently used lactating cow antibiotic tubes contained dihydrostreptomycin, neomycin, novobiocin, and procaine penicillin (37 per cent), and cefquinome (29 per cent). Ninety-six per cent of respondents used antibiotic tubes at the cessation of lactation ('drying off'). The most frequently used dry cow antibiotic tube (43 per cent) contained cefalonium. Frequently used injectable antibiotics included tylosin (27 per cent), dihydrostreptomycin and procaine penicillin (20 per cent) and ceftiofur (13 per cent). Eighty-three per cent of respondents (413) fed waste milk to calves. Of these 413, 87 per cent fed waste milk from cows with mastitis, and only one-third discarded the first milk after antibiotic treatment. This survey has shown that on more than 90 per cent of the farms that feed waste milk to calves, waste milk can contain milk from cows undergoing antibiotic treatment. On some farms, this includes treatment with third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins. Further work is underway to investigate the presence of these antimicrobials in waste milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodirosis was diagnosed in the south-east of Scotland during two consecutive autumns in lambs which were grazed on the same field. The problem was unpredicted based on the knowledge of the pasture and animal management, and rudimentary understanding of the behaviour of free-living stages of Nematodirus battus in the region. Unlike the epidemiology that has been described in the south of England, whereby autumn infection of lambs is believed to arise from autumn hatching of eggs shed during the previous spring without prior chilling, it is concluded that the autumn nematodirosis in a particular sheep flock in Scotland most likely arose following prolonged survival of larvae hatched during the spring from eggs shed during the previous summer, following periods of cold exposure over the previous winter. The infective larvae survived in large numbers in a small, sheltered strip of rough grazing, where they would have been protected from harmful ultraviolet radiation and heavy rainfall, before infecting lambs during the autumn. Understanding of the evolutionary potential, nematode parasites to adapt to changing environmental conditions depends on a thorough clinical investigative approach, and is a prerequisite for future preventive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical signs, treatments used and spread of psoroptic mange in cattle from October 2007 until March 2011 are described. The disease was first diagnosed in South West Wales, having not been reported in Great Britain since the 1980s. The likely source was identified as a farm that had imported two animals from mainland Europe in the summer of 2006. Since that time, disease has been diagnosed on a further 22 premises, the majority in South West Wales but also in South East and Mid Wales and on one farm in England. Bought in animals harbouring the Psoroptes species mite but not showing clinical signs were considered the greatest risk of introducing the infestation into a herd. This, together with the difficulties of treatment to eliminate the parasite, means that it is unlikely that this outbreak has been controlled. There is also a continuing threat of importing the disease from abroad. The disease is not notifiable in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beginning in April 2006, 41 farms were recruited onto a pilot Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) eradication programme across the south of England with the majority of study herds concentrated in Somerset. Each herd was assessed and where relevant cleared of persistently infected (PI) animals. Seven farms dropped out before whole herd screening could be performed. Of the remaining 34 farms, 20 (59 per cent) were classified as infected although two of these were initially misclassified as BVDV-free. Over the course of three years, 61 PIs were identified across 16 of the 20 infected farms. 72 per cent of PIs indentified on the first herd test were below two years of age. PI prevalence ranged from 0.2 to 3.1 per cent of infected herds and was highest in herds that did not vaccinate. By the end of 2009, 24/34 (71 per cent) of study farms were BVDV-free while 10 (29 per cent) remained infected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between November 5,2007 and November 4,2008, faecal samples from cattle and sheep submitted for diagnostic purposes to the Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) (now AHVLA) regional laboratories (covering North Wales and the West Midlands) were screened for the presence of Escherichia coli that produces CTX-M extended-spectrum (3-lactamase (ESBL) using the selective medium CHROMagar CTX. Samples from 113 farms were tested and eight ESBL-positive farms identified. Of these, six farms were identified via submissions of cattle faeces and two from sheep. Gene sequencing revealed both group 1 and group 9 CTX-M enzymes corresponding to CTX-M-14, CTX-M-14B (group 9) and CTX-M-15/28 (group 1). Analysis of these isolates by nanoarray revealed that some were carrying a range of virulence genes including ireA, iroN and prfB, which have been associated with extraintestinal pathogenic Ecoli, and were multidrug resistant. Geographical analysis with choropleth maps suggested that these CTX-M genes are relatively widespread in the North Wales and West Midlands study area. This work was carried out concurrently with the running of a VLA ESBL surveillance system, which has subsequently identified many more CTX-M positive farms in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to statistically reassess the likelihood that windborne spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) occurred at the start of the UK 1967 to 1968 FMD epidemic at Oswestry, Shropshire, and to derive dose-response probability of infection curves for farms exposed to airborne FMDV. To enable this, data on all farms present in 1967 in the parishes near Oswestry were assembled. Cases were infected premises whose date of appearance of first clinical signs was within 14 days of the depopulation of the index farm. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between infection status and distance and direction from the index farm. The UK Met Office's NAME atmospheric dispersion model (ADM) was used to generate plumes for each day that FMDV was excreted from the index farm based on actual historical weather records from October 1967. Daily airborne FMDV exposure rates for all farms in the study area were calculated using a geographical information system. Probit analyses were used to calculate dose-response probability of infection curves to FMDV, using relative exposure rates on case and control farms. Both the logistic regression and probit analyses gave strong statistical support to the hypothesis that airborne spread occurred. There was some evidence that incubation period was inversely proportional to the exposure rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1989, the Nature Conservancy Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds commenced reintroduction of the red kite (Milvus milvus) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. Following 22 years of intensive effort, the red kite reintroduction programme has been a success with an estimated 1000 pairs now breeding in England. Post-release health surveillance is ongoing and has been achieved through radio-tracking, monitoring breeding at nest sites and pathological examinations of any red kites found dead. Tail-mounted radio transmitters were fitted from 1989 with harness-mounted radio transmitters being preferentially used since 2000. Since 2000, 180 individuals have been recovered for postmortem examination. Eighteen of these birds had previously had a harness-mounted radio transmitter fitted and four of these (22 per cent) had moderate to severe lesions associated with the presence of the harness and radio transmitter including chronic necrogranulomatous inflammation, deep muscular exposure and distorted muscular conformation. Failure to breed was also reported in two of these individuals over the preceding year(s), although it is not known whether the presence of the harness contributed to this failure. Duration of deployment may have been a significant factor in the formation of these lesions as those with lesions (n=4) had a statistically significant (P=0.009) longer duration of deployment compared to those without lesions (n=14). No lesions were reported in those red kites fitted with tail-transmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred in Surrey on August 3, 2007. A Great Britain-wide ban on livestock movements was implemented immediately. This coincided with the start of seasonal sheep movements off the hills in Scotland; the majority of these animals are sold via markets. The ban therefore posed severe economic and animal- welfare hardships if it was to last through September and beyond. The Scottish Government commissioned an analysis to assess the risk of re-opening markets given the uncertainty about whether FMD had entered Scotland. Tracing of livestock moved from within the risk zone in England between July 16 and August 3 identified contact chains to 12 Scottish premises; veterinary field inspections found a further three unrecorded movements. No signs of infection were found on these holdings. Under the conservative assumption that a single unknown Scottish holding was infected with FMD, an estimate of the time-dependent probability of Scotland being FMD free given no detection was made. Analyses indicated that if FMD was not detected by early to mid-September then it was highly probable that Scotland was FMD free. Risk maps were produced to visualise the potential spread of FMD across Scotland if it was to spread either locally or via market sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroscopic renal calculi were seen in 50 of 492 (10.2 per cent) wild Eurasian otters found dead in England from 1988 to 2007. Forty-eight adults and two subadults were affected. Calculi were present in 15.7 per cent (31 of 197) of adult males and 12.7 per cent (17 of 134) of adult females. There was an increase in prevalence in the study population over time; no calculi were found in 73 otters examined between 1988 and 1996, but in most subsequent years they were observed with increased frequency. Calculi occurred in both kidneys but were more common in the right kidney. They varied greatly in shape and size; larger calculi were mostly seen in the calyces while the smallest ones were commonly found in the renal medulla. Calculi from 45 cases were examined by x-ray diffraction analysis; in 43 (96 per cent), they were composed solely of ammonium acid urate. Affected otters had heavier adrenal glands relative to their body size than unaffected otters (P<0.001). There was no significant association between body condition index and the presence of calculi (P>0.05). Many otters had fresh bite wounds consistent with intraspecific aggression. The proportion bitten increased over time and this coincided with the increased prevalence of renal calculi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that stranded in Cornwall, south-west England, between June 2004 and December 2007 were examined using standardised postmortem examination and bacteriological methods. Evidence of Brucella species infection was found in four of these dolphins on culture. In addition, of the eight dolphins, four were positive and two were weakly positive for antibodies to Brucella species on serological analyses of pericardial and other fluids using a competitive ELISA and two indirect ELISAs. High or very high levels of the sum of 25 individual chlorobiphenyl congeners (∑25CBs) were also determined in blubber samples from two of the dolphins (45.5 and 446.6 mg/kg lipid weight). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between May 2005 and June 2008, strategically selected isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from clinical submissions to Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) regional laboratories in England and Wales were serogrouped and examined by PCR for verocytotoxin (VT) production and attaching and effacing (eae) genes, both of which are zoonotic determinants. VT-encoding genes were detected in 54 (5.3 per cent) of the 1022 isolates examined. Only one isolate (0.1 per cent) was identified as verocytotoxigenic E coli (VTEC) O157. Non-O157 VTECs were present in 4.7 per cent of isolates from cattle, compared with 7.9 per cent in pigs, 2.3 per cent in sheep and 6.7 per cent in goats. The predominant serogroup identified in cattle was O26 and the predominant serogroup in pigs was O2. Attaching and effacing activity was attributed to 69 (6.8 per cent) of all isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of sound intensity were measured over periods of 24 hours in 34 abattoir lairages in England and Wales. The mean integrated range in 12 cattle lairages was 52 to 79 dB(A), in 11 sheep lairages, 45 to 76 dB(A) and in 11 pig lairages, 46 to 87 dB(A). In general, the pig lairages were the noisiest, with spot peak recordings of up to 110 dB(A). Typically, the sound intensities in all the lairages were 10 to 20 dB(A) higher during the working day than at night. In many sheep lairages, high intensities of sound were recorded frequently throughout the night, but others were very quiet, below 40 dB(A). Vocalisations were the major sources of noise in the pig and cattle lairages, but there were variations between them. There were high intensities of sound from handling systems (80 to 90 dB[A]), and ventilating fans (70 to 80 dB[A]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary brain tumours were identified in two Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) living at the Zoological Society of London's two zoos. Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to diagnose a histiocytic sarcoma in a 16-year-old female and a fibroblastic meningloma In a 13-year-old male. Before one died and the other was euthanased both camels had shown progressive neurological signs, includIng circling and ataxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-six farms in parishes in western England that had recently experienced herd breakdowns of bovine tuberculosis were surveyed for signs of badger activity and for husbandry practices relating to the access of badgers to the farm buildings and facilities. Signs of activity were detected within the farmyards and buildings of 14 of the farms and were associated with water troughs at pasture on two of them. Few of the farmers implemented practices to reduce contact between badgers and cattle. Stored cattle feed was freely accessible to wild animals in 88 per cent of the feed stores. Two badger carcases, and two of 66 samples of badger droppings, cultured positive for Mycobacterium bovis. Signs of badgers within farmyards were significantly positively associated with the number of badger setts and latrines in the immediate vicinity, but were not related to any recorded farm husbandry procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One thousand condemned pigs' kidneys were collected in February 2002 from two pig abattoirs in England to assess the possible contribution of ochratoxicosis to postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS); 250 of the kidneys with macroscopic lesions consistent with nephrosis/nephritis (pale or white cortical lesions) were selected, and the concentration of ochratoxin A was measured in samples of renal cortex by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Low concentrations were detected in 230 (92 per cent) of the kidneys tested, and in 41 (16.4 per cent) of them the concentration was below the limit of quantification of 0.2 µg/kg. In 187 (74.8 per cent) of the kidneys, the concentration was more than 0.2 µg/kg, and the highest concentration detected was 2.3 µg/kg. The mean (sd) concentration was 0.31 (0.33) µg/kg. The identification of ochratoxin A was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The concentrations of ochratoxin A did not exceed the threshold assessed by the Food Standards Agency to be safe for human food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical, anaesthetic and surgical records of 142 bitches admitted into the primary care clinic at the Small Animal Hospital, University of Liverpool, between January 2002 and August 2004 for routine ovariohysterectomy by final-year students were analysed for complications during and after the surgery. The time taken to perform the surgical procedure was recorded, to allow assessment of the time involved in one-to-one surgical teaching during live-recovery surgeries of client-owned pets. The types of complications were similar to those reported in earlier studies: nine bitches suffered haemorrhage of the ovarian arteries during surgery, and there were four cases of haemorrhage after surgery, 12 cases of wound inflammation and four other types of complication. The rates of intraoperative, postoperative and total complications were 6.3, 14.1 and 20.6 per cent, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection caused weight loss, diarrhoea, decreased milk yield and occasionally death in cattle in East Anglia during the winters of 2001 to 2003. The condition had previously been limited mainly to stock imported into this part of Britain from endemically infected areas. In composite faecal samples collected by 16 farm animal veterinary practices in Norfolk. Suffolk and Essex, fluke eggs were found in 15 (28.8 per cent) of 52 previously unaffected suckler herds and 10 (16.7 per cent) of 60 dairy herds. Antibodies to F hepatica were detected by ELISA in 32 (53.3 per cent) of the bulk milk samples from these 60 dairy herds, including the 10 in which fluke eggs were found. The emergence of fasciolosis in East Anglia was attributed to recent higher summer rainfall, which favoured the intermediate snail host Lymnaea truncatula and the free-living stages of F hepotico, the increased influx of sheep from endemic fluke areas for seasonal grazing, and the wetter grazing conditions associated with the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire was designed to investigate calf health and welfare on dairy farms in the south west of England with regard to the degree of compliance with the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000. The level of veterinary involvement in calf rearing and management on dairy farms in the south west of England was also assessed. The questionnaire was sent to 32 large animal practices in the catchment area of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency-Langford. Compliance with the regulations was found to be variable. The requirements for the isolation of sick calves, provision of bovine colostrum within six hours of birth, the provision of fresh, clean water and restrictions concerning tethering were not well complied with. However, the requirements for twice-daily feeding and inspection, visual and tactile contact between calves, access to forage and the provision of clean, dry bedding were well complied with. The results also suggested that there was some lack of veterinary input into the health and welfare of calves on dairy farms visited by the practices routinely and non-routinely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the topics discussed during the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Council meeting at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, England on December 9, 2009 is presented. It cites a paper introduced by BVA former president Nicky Paull on fees for Official Veterinarians (OV). It also highlights the proposed Animal Health's fee system by BVA president Bill Reilly.

Highlights the British Equine Veterinary Association congress from September 14-17, 2005 in Harrogate, England. Alteration of Veterinary Medicines Directorate's advice on the use of medicinal products in horses; Importance of the awareness of veterinary surgeons and horse owners on the change of advice; Discussion of veterinary medicines on the press conference.

Information regarding the 50th annual congress of British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) held September 7-10, 2011 in Liverpool, England is presented. Topics include lames diagnosis in horses, cartilage repair in animals, and equine welfare. It mentions that the BEVA bestowed award on outstanding contributions in equine medicine including Paul Jepson, Luisa Smith, and Kenneth Hinchcliff.

The author comments on the proposed reform of higher education in England and its implications for students, universities and the veterinary profession. Particular focus is given to the graduate premium in veterinary science. He questions whether the change in funding policy will lead to a reduction in applicants for places in English veterinary schools. He expects a continued rise in tuition fees for veterinary medicine.

The article discusses research on the link between biosecurity and seroprevalence of Salmonella species on pig farms in England. A lower Salmonella prevalence was observed in group B farms, which use footwear and vehicle wheel disinfection more frequently compared with group A. Other farm practices investigated include sharing of equipment with other farms, liquid feeding and having slated floors. The relationship of such practices with the prevalence or control of Salmonella is explained.

How can practitioners make a greater contribution to clinical research? How can research findings be transferred more effectively into practice? And how can practitioners improve their research understanding to support current demands for clinical audit and evidence-based veterinary medicine? These were just some of the questions posed at a day-long seminar held at the RCVS headquarters in London on September 20. The key aim of the seminar, entitled ‘Research into practice … practice into research …’, was to explore, in both directions, the boundary between clinical research and veterinary practice. It was hoped that the issues and ideas that arose during the day could be incorporated into an action plan, drawn up by the RCVS through its research committee, to facilitate more practitioner involvement in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights the British Equine Veterinary Association congress in Birmingham, England. Theme of the event; Attendees; Programs and activities.

In this article the author focuses on the educational challenge presented by the government's proposed reforms of higher education in England. It says that the response of the British Veterinary Associarion (BVA) on the reform is indicating that its impact on specialised subject areas such as veterinary medicine and science will not be entirely positive. It adds that the courses can be more vocational in nature without emphasizing on science and research.

Information about several papers discussed at a meeting sponsored by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Council on the Official Veterinarian (OV) negotiations held in May 24, 2009 at Mayfair Cavendish Conference Centre in London, England is presented. Topics include the introduction of electronic system for Official Veterinarian (OV) work, and a discussion on tuberculosis (TB) testing fee proposal between BVA and Animal Health. The meeting featured BVA Council members like Bill Reilly.

The article provides information on the guidelines for the election of members of Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in England. This election is intended for six members who will serve on RCVS council for four years and will take effect during its annual meeting. Information about the nomination form, voting papers and the election process had been provided.

The article provides information that prompts members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) who were not able to cast their votes in the election of members of RCVS Council. Members are reminded that no later than April 28, 2006, voting papers must be received by Electoral Reform Ballot Services in London, England.

Discusses the details and emerging conclusions of trials to replace the over-30-months (OTM) rule with a system of testing of cattle for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) at an open meeting organized by the Food Standards Agency in London, England. Examination of alternatives to the OTM rule; Details on the components of a reliable and effective regimen for BSE testing of OTM cattle; Identification of animals tested with BSE.