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AMR: EU proposal to ban group use of prophylactics
‘There are a number of circumstances where targeted prophylaxis is the best course of action to protect animal health and welfare.'
Industry bodies say plans are ‘unnecessary’ and could harm pigs 

Pig vets and farmers have expressed ‘extreme concern’ over EU proposals to effectively ban the group use of prophylactic antibiotics.

In a letter to the UK’s chief veterinary officer, the National Pig Association and Pig Veterinary Society said the plans are ‘unnecessary’ and could seriously impact pig health.

The proposal, which is currently in the final stages of negotiation in Brussels, states that antibiotic medicinal products for prophylaxis should be ‘limited to the administration to individual animal only’, in exceptional cases where the risk of infection is ‘very high and the consequences are likely to be severe’.

Both organisations said they strongly believe it is sufficient to limit prophylactic use of antibiotics to an individual animal or a restricted number of animals under the above conditions.

Writing to CVO Christine Middlemiss, the NPA and PVS added that they fully support the idea that antimicrobials for metaphylaxis or prophylaxis should be prescribed for a limited period only, to cover the period of risk. They also agreed that such products should not be applied routinely or to make up for poor hygiene or animal husbandry, lack of care, or poor farm management.

However, they said it is ‘absurd’ to expect vets to wait for animals to show clinical signs before prescribing antibiotics, rather than preventing the whole group of pigs becoming sick, in situations where a pathogen is known to be present on the farm, presenting a high risk to pigs.

Their letter states: ‘There is a widely held and justifiable belief, in both human and veterinary medicine, that controlled intervention to prevent the outbreak and spread of disease based on sound professional examination and advice is better than cure.’

They added: ‘There are a number of circumstances where targeted prophylaxis is the best course of action to protect animal health and welfare and, given that pigs are housed in groups, population medicine requires that group prophylaxis is used in such circumstances.’

In addition, they raised concerns about the stress involved in individually injecting a number of pigs with antibiotics, as well as the increased risk of human error, which could lead to some pigs being missed or incorrect doses being given.

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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.