Collaboration to promote best practice in reproduction control
Dr Siraya Chunekamrai, WSAVA president.
Global animal health firm Virbac has announced its support for the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's (WSAVA) initiative to promote global best practice in reproduction control.
Through the WSAVA's recently-created Reproduction Control Committee, the association aims to give veterinary surgeons across the world access to the latest resources and knowledge in this rapidly evolving area of companion animal medicine.
It is chaired by Professor Stefano Romagnoli, a European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Reproduction at the University of Padua in Italy, and will be comprised of a team of reproduction experts from across the globe.
Building on the development of WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, one of the Reproduction Committee's first tasks will be to produce a set of guidelines for this important area of veterinary medicine.
Dr Siraya Chunekamrai, WSAVA president, said: “Giving advice on reproduction and carrying out spaying and neutering procedures can form a large part of a general clinician’s work, with many of our members also involved in large-scale spay-neuter programs.
“Our Reproduction Control Committee is helping them to make science-based choices for the management of reproduction, while safeguarding animal welfare and supporting the human-companion animal bond."
She added: “We are delighted to welcome Virbac, both as a supporter of the Reproduction Control Committee and as a WSAVA Partner, helping us to deliver our mission to advance the health and welfare of companion animals worldwide.”
Sebastien Huron, chief executive officer of Virbac Group, commented: “At Virbac, we have the conviction that our pets should no longer be castrated only for convenience reasons. Fifteen years ago, surgery was the most common option to control reproduction. Today, easy to implement and reversible alternatives that preserve the integrity of the body and well-being of our pets exist.
“It is therefore our duty to inform all veterinarians and dogs and cats owners about the available options, to ensure a sound knowledge and tailor made reproduction control of each pet. We are delighted to be associated with this Reproduction Control Committee and to be a partner of WSAVA, in support of our purpose: Advancing the health of animals with those who care for them so we can all live better together!”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
