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Support scheme launches for complex strangles cases
Redwings launched the scheme at this year's BEVA Congress.

Vets will be able to contact mentors via phone and email.

The equine welfare charity Redwings has launched a new scheme to support veterinary surgeons dealing with complex cases of strangles.

The Guttural Pouch Scoping Support Scheme was launched at this year’s British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress, where the charity handed out cards containing a scannable QR code.

The scheme offers a range of assistance to veterinary surgeons, including confidential one-to-one telephone calls with a clinical mentor and a dedicated WhatsApp group or email to share images and videos.

The mentors are experienced in using endoscopy in a variety of situations, including post-infection screening, strangles carrier diagnosis, chondroid removal, management of persistently infected equines and guttural pouch flushing.

They can also offer practical advice on the scopes and accessories suited to particular cases and provide information on the latest best-practice guidance, research findings, and new products.

The charity has been offering advice on strangles for some time, but this year has formalised the support as part of its Stamp Out Strangles Campaign.

Nic de Brauwere, head of welfare and behaviour at Redwings, said: “If you are a vet who is dealing with a tricky strangles case, would like to skill up on guttural pouch endoscopy or are unsure which scoping tools are best in different situations, then we are here to help.”

At this year's congress, Redwings also contributed to the Infectious Disease Panel, with Helen Whitelegg, research and and policy officer at the charity, appearing as one of the speakers.

Talking about the panel, Dr Whitelegg said: “We're delighted to be able to talk to vets about the Human Behaviour Change approach we use to campaign on strangles. We know that information alone has limited impact, so we're working to make practical biosecurity a simpler, more achievable part of everyday horse care.”

Veterinary surgeons can contact Redwings’ Scoping Support Scheme by emailing scoping@redwings.co.uk or calling 01508 481008.

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.