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First transmission of NDM bacteria between dog and human
This study is presumed to be the first in which researchers have shown the transmission of NDM-bacteria between dogs and humans.
Researchers isolate highly resistant strain from family dogs and owner

Researchers in Finland have reported the first-ever transmission of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) bacteria between a dog and a human.

In 2015, NDM bacteria were identified in two Finnish dogs. Now, writing in the journal Eurosurveillance, Dr Thomas Grönthal and his team reveal that the owner of the dogs also carried the bacteria.

Dr Grönthal explains: “We were able, through the analysis of the genome of the bacteria, to conclude that the bacterial isolates from the dogs and humans were identical, which means that they were transmitted between dogs and humans.”

The study was a collaboration between the University of Helskini, the National Institute of Health and Welfare, and the Finish Food Safety Authority.

Researchers isolated a highly resistant NDM-5 producing bacterial strain from two family dogs and one of the family members. Both dogs and two members of the family also carried a multidrug-resistant ESBL bacterium.

The ESBL and the NDM bacterial strains researchers isolated from the humans and dogs were identical. However, the humans did not show any symptoms and the researchers were unable to identify the source of the NDM bacteria.

“We could not show with certainty in which direction the bacteria had transmitted, explains lead researcher Merja Rantala. “However, especially the NDM-bacteria probably moved from human to dog as these bacteria have not previously been identified in animals in Finland.”

“The use of carbapenem antibiotics in animals is prohibited in Finland, but the dogs had received numerous other antibiotics. This gave the NDM-bacteria a competitive edge and enabled them to persist in the dogs.”

This study is presumed to be the first in which researchers have shown the transmission of NDM-bacteria between dogs and humans. However, car­bapenemase-pro­du­cing bac­teria are becoming more common in animals.

Researchers recommend that laboratories investigating animal specimens should monitor the susceptibility of bacteria to carbapenems and extended-spectrum cephalosporins.

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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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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.