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Two SBV cases in Scotland
It can be difficult to predict how widespread any infection will be, but some important points give an indication of the likely impact of SBV in Scotland this spring.
SRUC predicts impact of virus this spring

Vets in Scotland have confirmed two cases of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in malformed lambs over the past two weeks. The lambs were from two Scottish flocks close to the border with England.

The news follows reports of increased numbers of affected lambs in England and Wales during winter 2016/17.

SBV is spread by midges and can cause brain and limb deformities in newborn lambs and calves when pregnant animals are infected.

George Caldow, head of SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, said it can be difficult to predict how widespread any infection will be, but some important points give an indication of the likely impact of SBV in Scotland this spring.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has not diagnosed SBV in early lambing flocks or in all-year-round calving dairy herds, therefore it is unlikely that the virus was present in midges in Scotland at the time of maximum midge activity in 2016, or cases would have been seen in these animals.

“The midge population progressively declines as we move in to winter and midge numbers will have been low during the time of maximum vulnerability of the main Scottish spring lambing flock, which is likely to have been December and January,” Mr Caldow explained.

“Therefore it may be that only small number of ewes will have been infected with few affected lambs being born and these are more likely to be in flocks in the southernmost part of the country.

“The limited information we have to date suggests that the midge population in some parts of southern Scotland became infected in late autumn probably due to the gradual spread north of infected midges.”

SAC Consulting vets predict the highest risk will be to cattle mated in summer 2017, at the edge of the northward progression of infected midges. SRUC said it could be that only very limited spread of infected midges will occur in Scotland. Elsewhere the disease has been shown to have a patchy distribution.

Farmers seeking advice on SBV are urged to speak to their vet.

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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. 

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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.