Delegates from across the international veterinary profession attended the Second Mind Matters Research Symposium at Church House in Westminster on Tuesday 24 September, where the focus was on the evidence-base for mental health problems in the veterinary profession, and how to best prevent and treat mental ill-health and poor wellbeing. The event was opened by Lizzie Lockett, the Director of the Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) and CEO of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), who welcomed the almost 100 delegates who had come from across the UK and as far afield as Canada, the United States and the Netherlands. She then handed over to Professor Stuart Reid CBE, Principal of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and, until July, Chair of the Mind Matters Initiative. In his plenary speech Professor Reid gave an overview of the highlights of the first five years of MMI including the fact that it had: ·         delivered around 60 mental health awareness t ...

Veterinary experts at BEVA congress stressed that weight loss, diet and management changes to thwart obesity, are the best weapons in the battle to prevent laminitis. Laminitis is one of the most common conditions treated by equine vets but, despite continuing research much about the condition, including exact links with endocrinopathic disease, remains unclear. At BEVA Congress earlier this month David Rendle, Equine Internal Medicine Specialist at Rainbow Equine Hospital, Andrew Van Eps from the University of Pennsylvania and Nicky Jarvis of Redwings Horse Sanctuary discussed the latest knowledge on laminitis including causes, diagnosis, management and prevention. Around 90% of laminitis cases have endocrinopathic laminitis, “which is the same as pasture associated laminitis,” explained David Rendle. This involves either equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), but while greater understanding of EMS and PPID has helped in preventing laminitis, there i ...

Further to the suspension of medicinal products for food-producing animals containing the excipient diethanolamine (DEA), supplies of authorised flunixin injections are back on the UK market as:

• Finadyne 50 mg/ml Solution for Injection for cattle, pigs and horses (now reformulated to remove DEA)
• Meflosyl 5% Solution for Injection for non-food horses only (still containing diethanolamine)

Published 24 September 2019.

The BHA, in conjunction with the independent, industry represented BHA Veterinary Committee, would like to update industry stakeholders in regard to the potential administration of bisphosphonates to horses under the age of three years and six months in international racing jurisdictions. This is a particular consideration during the sales period. The use of bisphosphonates in young horses carries an unknown risk, due to the limited scientific research that has been completed to date. Evidence suggests, in both humans and animals, that bisphosphonates should not be administered to juvenile athletes. The actions of bisphosphonates include effects on bone remodelling and anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which may predispose racehorses to potentially catastrophic skeletal injuries. The BHA has led the way for international jurisdictions by prohibiting their use in young horses, with the intention to protect the welfare of our equine athletes. The following Rule was made effective on 10 August ...

Following our elections earlier this month, BEVA are pleased to welcome three new members to our Council. With twenty seats, the Council oversees the direction and strategy of the Association, representing BEVA and its members to the wider world.  Joining us for the coming year are... James Crabtree James' expertise lie within the field of reproduction and stud medicine, with his practice specialising in these as well as serving as a busy first opinion clinic providing ambulatory care to clients.  In the coming year, he hopes to meet the challenges of recruitment and retention "head on in order to look after ourselves and our colleagues". Furthermore, he is particularly interested in continuing professional development and education, exploring the spheres of infectious disease control and biosecurity, and all matters relating to reproduction.  Roger Smith Roger has previously served two terms on the BEVA Council back in the 1990's, and more recently has served on the Boa ...

The Government has issued updated guidance for owners of horses, ponies and other equines on the preparations they need to make in the event of a no deal Brexit. The guidance published is designed to give the owners of horses and other equine animals as much time to prepare for these new processes and factor in any extra travel time they may require when travelling to and from the EU.  The UK will be leaving the EU on 31 October whatever the circumstances. The guidance will help owners to navigate the new processes for moving horses and other equine animals from the UK to EU member states. It will also apply to those owners that currently move their animals between the UK, Ireland and France under the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) – an agreement relied on by many in the horseracing industry and the competition sector.                                                    &n ...