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 ...

1. Introduction Following a decrease in the number of reported outbreaks of Equine Influenza in the United Kingdom and Europe, the BHA Veterinary Committee have agreed to further relax the requirements for all horses on Racecourse Property. This includes runners from non-Licensed yards (ARO, Hunter Chasers and PRA), non-GB runners (including France and Ireland) and other horses on racecourses (for example RoR). The BHA Veterinary Committee will continue to monitor any future reports of outbreaks of Equine Influenza, and our position may change at any time should there be an increase in the number of outbreaks reported. The BHA would like to once again convey huge thanks to all participants who have worked so hard to ensure that the recent requirements have been met. Your efforts have been appreciated by the entire industry. 2. Summary of Requirements from 17 September 2019 All horses on racecourse property • Compliant EI vaccination within NINE calendar months* (eight months plus a one-month grac ...

Stan Cosgrove, a Past President of BEVA, has died aged 91.   Stan was an internationally respected equine vet who pioneered colic surgery and bone repair in his native Ireland and became known to the wider world in the aftermath of the kidnapping of the great dual Derby winner Shergar, in which he had a share.  Obituary to follow.

Jenny Mumford sadly passed away at the weekend. Jenny was a highly respected and influential leader in the field of equine infectious disease. She was the Director of the Centre for Preventive Medicine at the AHT for many years and led the development of many of the research programmes within it.  She was an inspirational person who led a great team in a cheerful and charming manner, and launched many careers of young vets and scientists in that field. We understand that at a memorial service may be held in Cambridge - we will advise on details as they become available.

Tim Mair, internal medicine and equine surgery specialist at the Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic and editor of EVE has been appointed as President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) for 2019/20. He takes over the role from Renate Weller at the end of BEVA Congress 11-14 September 2019. Lucy Grieve, of Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons becomes President Elect. Tim graduated from the University of Bristol in 1980. After working in mixed practice for three years, he returned to Bristol to undertake research in equine immunology and respiratory disease as a Horserace Betting Levy Board research training scholar. He was awarded a PhD in 1986 and was then appointed as a Wellcome Trust lecturer in equine medicine. After leaving Bristol in 1989 he worked in mixed practice before joining Bell Equine in 1993, becoming a partner in 1995. He led the hospital services at Bell Equine, as well as supervising the practice’s residency, intern and extern programmes, until it was purchased by CVS in 2016. He c ...

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is today (13 September 2019) publishing further details about its plans for a wide-ranging review of its guidance to the veterinary professions on ‘under care’ and out-of-hours emergency cover, including a broad timetable for the review’s three key phases of evidence gathering, policy drafting, and public consultation. The review, announced earlier this year, was recommended to RCVS Council by its Standards Committee following its lengthy and detailed exploration of the implications of new technologies for both animal health and welfare and veterinary regulation. The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24-hour emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon. The initial stages of this review had been drafted for Standards Committee to consider at its meeting on 9 September, where the outline timetable was also discussed. Commenting on its significance, Standa ...