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EMA issues call to suspend Velactis in the EU
Dairy cows
Users of Velactis are advised to stop using the medicine in dairy cows and find an alternative method.

VMD suspends marketing and use in the UK

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a call to suspend the marketing authorisation of Velactis following reports of serious adverse events in cows.

The EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) say that 319 dairy cows have been affected by the medicine. Of these, 207 cows suffered recumbency and 71 cows died.

Although the Committee is yet to determine the exact cause of these events, there is strong evidence to suggest they are linked to Velactis.

A statement read: 'Given the number and severity of adverse events following use of the medicine in otherwise healthy dairy cows, the Committee concluded that, at present, the risks outweigh the benefits of the product.'

Velactis is used to reduce milk production in dairy cows at the time of drying off. It works by blocking the release of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production.

As a result of the serious cases, the CVMP has suspended the authorisation of Velactis in some EU member states. On Wednesday, the VMD suspended the marketing and use of Velactis in the UK.

Users of Velactis are urged to stop using the medicine in dairy cows and find an alternative method.

Recommendations from the CVMP will be sent to the European Commission for a legally binding decision applicable in all EU member states.














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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.