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Equine small redworm blood test study published
The test enables horse owners to work with their vets in targeting anthelmintic treatments against cyathostomin infection.
Paper describes the research undertaken to define the final format of the test. 

Research into the equine small redworm (cyathostomin) blood test has been published in the International Journal of Parasitology to provide vets with additional evidence on its accuracy.

The paper details the research that was undertaken to define the final format of the test, developed by the Moredun Research Institute and commercialised by Austin Davis Biologics in September 2019.

The test enables horse owners to work with their vets in targeting anthelmintic treatments against cyathostomin infections, and therefore ensure that the drug is only administered when it is really needed.

Professor Jacqui Matthews, chief technology officer at Roslin Technologies and inventor of the test, said: “This research paper describes the selection of antigens that provide coverage for detecting the commonest cyathostomin species found globally”.

Dr Corrine Austin, director at Austin Davis Biologics, commented: “Publication of this research is important as it provides veterinarians with additional evidence of the commercial test’s accuracy. Following on from this published research, we conducted additional validation and optimisation of the test for use on robotic systems.”

Dr Stewart Burgess, principal investigator at the Moredun Research Institute added: “The availability of the test greatly benefits evidence-based worm control in horses and fills an important gap in the diagnostic toolbox for equine veterinarians”.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."