Visits to Asian countries in effort to improve practice

The Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) – part of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) – has completed its final of three visits to different Asian countries.

The trips were part of the group's project to examine small animal infectious disease and vaccination practice across the continent.

Having previously visited Japan and India, the final part of the VGG’s trip began in Beijing in July. The group met with veterinary practitioners, academics and government officials, as well as visiting three veterinary practices.

They then travelled to Shanghai and completed their trip in Bangkok, each where they carried out further meetings and visits.

In all three cities, the VGG held a one-day Continuing Education programme, attended by about 100 veterinarians in Beijing and about 80 in both Shanghai and Bangkok.

The team also received more than 400 responses to a questionnaire they circulated in each city, which are hoped to provide further information on the local veterinary situations.

Professor Michael Day, chairman of the VGG, said: "This two-year project in Asia has been enormously successful and we now have a much greater understanding of the particular challenges faced by Asian practitioners."

He added his thanks to those who had sponsored and supported the project, including the local offices and associations in each country.

The VGG aims to develop independent, globally-relevant recommendations and best practice protocols for the vaccination of dogs and cats. It aims to publish a report providing advice and recommendations for Asian small animal practitioners in early 2014.

Image courtesy of WSAVA