Companion May 2012 - BSAVA

Celebrating 

Congress 

In pictures 

P4 

companionMAY 2012 

Notifi able Diseases 

A useful guide 

P8 

Clinical Conundrum 

A tachypnoeic 

Labrador retriever 

P12 

The essential publication for BSAVA members 

Feline blood 

donation: how to 

select donors 

and collect blood

3 BSAVA News 

Latest from your Association 

4–7 Congress in Pictures 

An update and photos from 

World Congress 2012 

8–11 Notifiable and Zoonotic Disease 

for Companion Animal 

Practitioners 

Guidance on the obligations we face 

as a profession 

12–15 Clinical Conundrum 

Consider the approach to a 

tachypnoeic older Labrador retriever 

16–20 How To… 

Select and collect: feline blood 

donation 

21 Scottish Congress 2012 

Now head north for a Summer 

Congress 

22–23 What ‘Jones’s’ has to Offer 

The latest edition of the BSAVA 

Textbook of Veterinary Nursing 

24–25 Nursing History 

Early proposals for the qualities 

required in a veterinary nurse 

26–27 Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs 

How PetSavers funding has helped 

vital research 

28–29 WSAVA News 

The World Small Animal Veterinary 

Association 

30–31 The companion Interview 

Andrew Trawford 

33 Focus On… 

East Anglia region 

34–35 CPD Diary 

What’s on in your area 

Additional stock photography Dreamstime.com 

© Alexandru Vladoiu; © Bogdan Carstina; © Isselee; 

© Jagodka; © Matthewgore; © Pavel Hodorogea 

companion is published monthly by the British 

Small Animal Veterinary Association, Woodrow 

House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park, 

Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AB. This magazine 

is a member-only benefi t. Veterinary schools 

interested in receiving 

companion should 

email companion@ 

bsava.com. We welcome 

all comments and ideas 

for future articles. 

Tel: 01452 726700 

Email: companion@ 

bsava.com 

Web: www.bsava.com 

ISSN: 2041-2487 

2 | companion 

Your new President 

Editorial Board 

Editor – Mark Goodfellow MA VetMB CertVR DSAM 

DipECVIM-CA MRCVS 

Past President – Grant Petrie MA VetMB CertSAC CertSAM 

MRCVS 

■ CPD Editorial Team 

Ian Battersby BVSc DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS 

Simon Tappin MA VetMB CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS 

Patricia Ibarrola DVM DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS 

■ Features Editorial Team 

Caroline Bower BVM&S MRCVS 

Andrew Fullerton BVSc (Hons) MRCVS 

Mathew Hennessey BVSc MRCVS 

■ Design and Production 

BSAVA Headquarters, Woodrow House 

Mark Johnston qualified from 

the RVC and runs a three vet 

practice in South-East 

England. companion caught 

up with him for a few minutes 

at Congress as he took the 

helm as President of BSAVA… 

“ I’m really looking forward to the challenge and 

am very proud to be representing the 

Association. The BSAVA is a huge 

organisation of more than 7,000 vets, nurses 

and students so there is a leadership role, a 

figurehead in a sense, and for me it is about 

guidance and working with the Officer team to 

ensure the profession moves forward. 

“There is no doubt the economic situation is 

challenging to vets at the moment, but we are a 

unique and hard-working profession. We have 

to be good business people as well as good 

vets, so I’m very pleased to see our Vet Schools 

are improving business education every year 

and Congress has now introduced an excellent 

business stream, plus there is the new 

management manual on its way. 

“Over the past year I’ve been learning a lot 

more about One Health. As vets we have 

always learned about the risks of diseases 

spreading from viruses jumping species, but 

I’m concerned that doctors don’t fully 

understand the risks. Rarely do doctors ask if 

people have pets, but they should – it is a good 

soft opening question to build a good 

relationship with patients and it can establish if 

there is a reason for disease. It would be useful 

for the two professions to work together.” ■ 

No part of this publication may be reproduced 

in any form without written permission of the 

publisher. Views expressed within this 

publication do not necessarily represent those 

of the Editor or the British Small Animal 

Veterinary Association. 

For future issues, unsolicited features, 

particularly Clinical Conundrums, are 

welcomed and guidelines for authors are 

available on request; while the publishers will 

take every care of material received no 

responsibility can be accepted for any loss or 

damage incurred. 

BSAVA is committed to reducing the 

environmental impact of its publications 

wherever possible and companion is printed 

on paper made from sustainable resources 

and can be recycled. When you have finished 

with this edition please recycle it in your 

kerbside collection or local recycling point. 

Members can access the online archive of 

companion at www.bsava.com .

Surveillance 

– now is the time 

With BSAVA joining 

the team at University 

of Liverpool for the 

SAVSNET project, 

now is the time for the 

profession to get 

ambitious about data 

gathering – so we 

began by taking that 

message to Congress 

Researchers at Liverpool University have shown it is possible to extract 

priceless epidemiological data on companion animal diseases from 

practice computer records. Now it is up the profession as a whole to 

make sure that the process continues and that the data produced is 

effectively and ethically used. This is why BSAVA made increasing awareness 

of SAVSNET a priority at Congress. 

Delegates were told by Dr Alan Radford, principal investigator, how the 

original pilot study had considered gastrointestinal diseases using data from 

both commercial laboratories and private first opinion practices. Now 

SAVSNET plans to collect information on a much broader range of conditions 

including dermatological, respiratory, neurological, oncological and endocrine 

diseases, Dr Noble told the meeting. 

Initially, SAVSNET gathered data from a limited number of practices and 

only those using a particular practice management system from Vet Solutions. 

Now the organisers hope to collect information on routine consultations from 

as many practices as possible, all around the country. “If you are using that 

system already in your practice, then you can sign up immediately. If not, then 

please join us as we encourage other 

providers to produce the software that will 

allow it to be embedded in the SAVSNET 

system,” said Dr Radford. 

The ambition is to make data available 

at different levels – for the public to learn 

about the prevalence of their pet’s 

condition, for practitioners to find out how 

their practice compares with others 

(anonymously), and for researchers to 

use the raw data in further studies. 

“I would find it incomprehensible 

for any member of the profession not to 

want to contribute to this project,” 

suggested one interested observer, 

Professor David Church of the Royal 

Veterinary College. For more information 

about becoming part of the project 

email savsnet@bsava.com. ■ 

Vets lead 

on One 

Health 

One of the key themes running through 

BSAVA Congress was One Health – 

with BSAVA’s Junior Vice-President 

Michael Day leading the call for the 

veterinary profession to take the lead and work 

with human health and environment agencies. 

At a series of lectures, and in the press 

conference, leaders from WSAVA, FECAVA and 

BSAVA discussed how global collaboration is 

essential if we are to meet the key objectives set 

by the One Health ideal. 

For the ambitious WSAVA One Health initiative 

this means rabies – it is one of the first focus areas 

and the team believe now is the time to address 

the fact that an estimated 55,000 rabies-related 

deaths occur every year – mostly in children in the 

developing world. Jolle Kirpensteijn of WSAVA, 

Simon Orr of FECAVA and Michael Day, who chairs 

the One Health project all agree – it is possible to 

eradicate this disease, and we have both the ability 

and responsibility to do so. ■ 

POISONS PICK-UP 

The loyalty benefi t 

for 2012 (available to 

renewing members) 

was a big hit at 

Congress. Eligible 

members were keen 

to be the fi rst to 

collect their BSAVA/ 

VPIS Guide to Common 

Canine and Feline 

Poisons on the BSAVA 

Balcony. All those 

members who did not 

collect at Congress 

will be sent their copy 

during May and June. 

companion | 3

4 | companion 

Record 

breaker 

The veterinary world 

converged on Birmingham 

in April, with a record 

number of international 

delegates representing 

six continents. With more 

than 7000 visitors joining 

the 3000-plus exhibitors, 

this was another record 

breaking year 

The BSAVA was proud to welcome its WSAVA 

and FECAVA colleagues and visitors from 

around 70 nations to Congress 2012, with a 

particularly strong Scandinavian contingent 

and many professionals from the USA, Australia, and 

the rest of Europe. 

The diversity of delegates was celebrated in fine 

fashion with a Welcome Reception and Opening 

Ceremony at the ICC, featuring speeches from the 

Presidents of all three Associations – Andrew Ash, 

BSAVA; Jolle Kirpensteijn, WSAVA; Simon Orr, 

FECAVA. The Opening Ceremony also included a 

moving talk from BSAVA founding father Brian 

Singleton, who celebrated the rich history of innovation 

of BSAVA Congress. 

The Taste of Britain event that followed was a 

massive success, where delegates from all over the 

world were heard to comment on why BSAVA 

Congress was such a draw – Dr Marge Chandler, who 

has worked in California, Colorado, New Zealand, 

Liverpool and Edinburgh said, “BSAVA Congress has 

an excellent international presence, especially 

amongst the guest speakers – so lots of expertise. And 

it is really nice meeting people at both the CPD and 

social occasions – and just running into them around 

the event.” 

Congress opened its exhibition doors on Thursday 

when the lectures also began in earnest. With so many 

additional delegates there was always a buzz in both 

the NIA and ICC. The usual social events had sold out 

weeks before the event – the Banquet had to be 

expanded to 950 – all eating restaurant-quality food 

and enjoying great live music. Party Night tickets were 

hot property and thousands packed in to see superb 

comedy and enjoy Olly Murs’ X-factor performance. 

All three lecture programmes – vet, nurse and 

management – were described as “fresh”, 

“challenging”, and “inspiring”. The How To (inspired 

by the companion feature of the same name) 

and Controversy lectures really sparked 

delegates’ imaginations. ■

FounDIng FAtHer. BSAVA welcomed the world to congress 

at its opening ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, where 

our friends from WSAVA and FecAVA joined us to celebrate 

the start of a very special international event. Brian 

Singleton, involved in the foundation of both BSAVA and 

WSAVA, and a past-president of both Associations gave an 

inspiring speech. 

Alan 

Radford 

Robert Winston 

Brian 

Singleton 

SAVSnet. At the 

press conference 

Dr Alan radford gave 

an enlightening 

demonstration of 

how the Small Animal 

Surveillance network 

could help the 

profession take a 

view on its use of 

antimicrobial 

products. 

LorD roBert WInSton delivered an inspiring talk on 

thursday afternoon. An enthralled audience packed out Hall 

1. He talked about how veterinary research was responsible 

for many of the developments in his own area of Medicine, 

and that government needs to place a much higher priority 

on scientific research in the future. 

WeLcoMIng 

tHe WorLD. 

Festivities began a 

day earlier than usual 

– with an evening of 

great British goodies 

and entertainment at 

the taste of Britain 

party on Wednesday. 

Award winning Welsh 

choir, only Men Aloud, 

put on a stirring 

performance and the 

mini Yorkshire puddings 

went down well with 

Brits and international 

revellers alike. 

Steve Cram 

Ray Mears 

Taste of 

Britain 

Only Men Aloud 

ceLeBrItY congreSS. Several exhibitors 

brought in some well-known faces to help tell 

their story – including athlete Steve cram for 

petplan and adventurer ray Mears for Merial. 

everyone said that the exhibition was bigger 

and brighter and better this year and that the 

number of new launches was incredible. 

companion | 5

Award Ceremony 

BSAVA BAnquet. this 

year we managed to 

serve restaurant quality 

food to more 950 diners 

– 300 more than usual. 

International guests 

included the BSAVA 

sponsored Bulgarian 

delegation, hosted on 

the evening by 

Wolfgang Dohne and his 

wife Silke. 

6 | companion 

Record breaker 

BSAVA Awards are an important opportunity for us to honour our colleagues – full details about 2012 winners and 

nominating for next year are online at www.bsava.com. 

SuperB ScIence. there is always 

loads of choice at congress when it 

comes to science – and this year 

some of the most popular talks were 

the How to lectures, the controversy 

stream, and FecAVA’s Symposium on 

animal assisted facilities. the clinical 

research Abstracts are increasing 

their audience and anyone who 

wants to get away from the 

mainstream is encouraged to sit-in 

on crAs next year. 

LIFeLong DeLegAteS. trevor and Jean turner have only 

missed one congress since trevor acted as a steward at the 

first 55 years ago. Jean won the entire BSAVA manual 

collection in the Big Booking Bonanza by registering online 

before christmas. She donated her old library copies to the 

World Veterinary Service who had a stand in the Icc. 

Congress Banquet

Party Night 

pArtY nIgHt. packed 

out more than ever 

before – tickets for party 

night became hot 

property after selling out 

weeks in advance of the 

event. comedians greg 

Davies and Simon evans 

went down a storm – and 

olly Murs, the charttopping 

brother of a vet 

nurse, really stole the 

show proving he actually 

does have the X-factor. 

BSAVA Balcony 

BSAVA BALconY. Delegates packed out the BSAVA 

Balcony to see the latest Manual titles and find out 

how to make the best of their cpD. While there, 

many used the free internet facilities and eligible 

members collected their loyalty bonus – the 

BSAVA/VPIS Guide to Common Canine and Feline 

Poisons. qualifying members who didn’t collect at 

congress will be sent the book in April/May. 

preSIDentIAL 

FAreWeLL. 

At the closing 

ceremony on 

Sunday all three 

presidents were 

delighted to have 

hosted a record 

breaking event for 

the small animal 

profession. 

neW preSIDent. Mark Johnston with his 

wife theresa, as he begins his year in charge 

of BSAVA. 

companion | 7

Notifiable and 

zoonotic disease 

for companion animal 

practitioners 

Dr Sally Everitt, BSAVA’s 

Scientific Policy Officer, 

offers offers guidance on notifiable diseases and the 

obligations we face as a profession 

A 

notifiable disease is any disease 

that is required, by law, to be 

reported to government 

authorities. Animal diseases may 

be notifiable because they are of 

significant economic importance or 

because they pose a risk to human health. 

The primary purpose of the notification 

system is to identify possible outbreaks 

and epidemics to allow rapid initiation of 

appropriate action. 

In the UK notification of diseases in 

animals is regulated by the Animal Health 

Act 1981, as well as the Specified 

Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) 

Order 1992 (as amended) and Specified 

Diseases (Notification) Order 1996 (as 

amended) which enacts European Union 

Legislation. Certain pathogens also have to 

be reported under the Specific Animal 

Pathogens Order (SAPO) 2008. 

The 1981 Act states that ‘any person 

having in their possession or under their 

charge an animal affected or suspected of 

having one of these diseases must, with all 

practicable speed, notify that fact to a 

police constable’. However, in practice a 

veterinary surgeon who suspects a 

notifiable disease should contact the 

appropriate Animal Health and Veterinary 

Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) office 

(www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk) who 

will investigate the disease. 

Endemic, exotic and zoonotic 

The current list of notifiable diseases 

(which can be found at www.defra.gov. 

8 | companion 

uk/animal-diseases/notifiable) includes 

diseases which are ‘endemic’ (such as 

Bovine TB), ‘exotic’ (those that are not 

normally present in the UK, but can be 

introduced, for example via illegal 

imports or by wild birds), and/or ‘zoonotic’ 

(such as rabies). 

To date, the notifiable disease system 

has largely concentrated on diseases of 

economic importance and public health as 

applied to food-producing animals, and 

Defra only specifically mentions one 

notifiable disease of dogs and cats 

(rabies). It should be remembered, 

however, that dogs and cats may also be 

affected by a number of notifiable diseases 

which normally affect farm animals, horses 

and birds. Exotic pets and wildlife can also 

become infected or be implicated in the 

transmission of notifiable diseases. 

Beyond the UK 

The European Animal Disease Notification 

System (ADNS) collects information about 

outbreaks of certain important infectious 

animal diseases. This system is supported 

by Council directive 82/894/EEC (last 

amended by 2008/650/EC) which makes it 

compulsory for Member States to notify 

primary and secondary outbreaks of listed 

infectious animal diseases. The primary 

purpose of this system is to provide 

information and to ensure that trade in live 

animals and animal products is not 

affected unnecessarily (http://ec.europa. 

eu/food/animal/diseases/adns/index_ 

en.htm). 

At world level, the World Organisation 

for Animal Health (OIE) places a formal 

obligation on each member to report the 

animal diseases (including zoonoses) that 

it detects on its territory in order to: ensure 

transparency about the global animal 

disease situation; enable the collection, 

analysis and dissemination of veterinary 

scientific information; encourage 

international solidarity for the control of 

animal diseases; and safeguard animal 

health and welfare. The OIE list of diseases 

of importance is available online, along 

with more detailed information about the 

diseases (www.oie.int). The OIE list 

includes diseases of fish, bees and 

amphibians as well farm animals and birds. 

Defining the concept 

The concept of notifiable disease is also 

used in human medicine under the Public 

Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and 

the Health Protection (Notification) 

Regulations 2010. The current list of 

notifiable diseases includes a number of 

zoonoses. A comparison of the notification 

status of zoonotic diseases in humans and 

animals is provided in Table 1 (from HPA 

Guidelines for the investigation of zoonotic 

disease). 

Companion animals and 

zoonotic disease 

Although the concept of One Health has 

been gaining ground in recent years, the 

importance of companion animals in the 

transmission of zoonotic disease has been 

somewhat neglected*. However, there are 

a number of reasons why it is appropriate 

to examine the role of companion animals 

in diseases of public health importance.

Disease Requirements for humans Requirements for animals 

Noti fi able a Reportable to HSE 

under RIDDOR 

Noti fi able (to 

Animal Health) 

Reportable b Noti fi able under 

SAPO f 

Anthrax ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 

Avian infl uenza (highly pathogenic 

strains only) (All H5 and H7 strains) 

✓ ✓ 

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy ✓ 

Brucellosis ✓ 

Brucella abortus, B. melitensis ✓ ✓ ✓ 

Brucella ovis (contagious epididymiti s, 

sheep) 

✓ ✓ ✓ 

Brucella suis (pigs) and all other 

Brucella species 

Chlamydiosis 

✓ ✓ 

■■ Chlamydophila abortus ✓ 

■■ C. psitt aci (✓) c ✓ d 

Diptheria (includes toxigenic 

C. ulcerans) 

✓ 

Encephaliti s (all causes) g ✓ 

Equine viral encephalomyeliti s ✓ ✓ 

Echinococcus multi locularis and 

granulosus 

✓ 

Equine morbillivirus (Hendra) ✓ ✓ 

“Food poisoning” (all causes) ✓ 

Glanders and Farcy (Burkholderia 

mallei) 

✓ ✓ 

Leptospirosis ✓ ✓ 

Lyme disease ✓ 

Meningiti s (all causes) g ✓ 

Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus 

infecti on 

✓ ✓ 

Plague (Yersinia pesti s) ✓ 

Q fever (Coxiella burneti i) ✓ 

Rabies 

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 

■■ Classical rabies virus (genotype 1) 

■■ Other rabies virus genotypes 

(e.g. European Bat Lyssavirus) 

Relapsing fever ✓ 

Rift valley fever ✓ ✓ 

Salmonella spp. ✓ 

Streptococcus suis ✓ 

Trichinella spiralis ✓ 

Tuberculosis ✓ ✓ ✓ e 

Vesicular stomati ti s ✓ ✓ 

Viral haemorrhagic fevers (all) ✓ 

Viral hepati ti s (Hepati ti s E) ✓ ✓ 

West Nile fever ✓ 

Table 1: Notifiable a and reportable b zoonotic diseases and organisms in humans and animals in England and Wales 

a – Notifiable diseases are those where there is a statutory requirement to report clinical cases of disease. b – Reportable diseases (in animals) are those where there is a statutory requirement to 

report laboratory confirmed isolation of organisms of the genera Salmonella and Brucella under the Zoonoses Order 1989. The report is to be made by the laboratory which isolated the organism 

from an animal derived sample. c – A local anomaly exists in Cambridgeshire where psittacosis is reportable to the local CCDC under a local bylaw. d – Legislative veterinary powers under The 

Psittacosis or Ornithosis Order 1953 (S.I. 1953 No. 38) give discretionary powers to serve notices to impose movement restrictions and require cleansing and disinfection of affected premises, and 

so Animal Health may be involved in the control of Psittacosis, even though it is not actually a notifiable disease in animals or birds. e – Under the Tuberculosis (England) Order 2007, the 

Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2006, and the Tuberculosis (Scotland) Order 2007, there is a statutory requirement to notify the suspected presence of TB in the carcase of any bovine, deer, farmed or 

companion (pet) mammal to nearest Animal Health Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM). Furthermore, identification of M. bovis in samples taken from any mammal (other than man) is also 

notifiable to Animal Health unless the organism was present in the sample as a result of an agreed research procedure. Notifying the suspicion of TB in a living domestic animal in the course of 

clinical examination, surgery, by radiography or in biopsy material is not mandatory (except for cattle or deer), but submission of clinical samples from such cases to VLA is encouraged. f – Under the 

Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998 anyone with reasonable grounds for suspecting the presence of these specific zoonoses should notify a veterinary inspector forthwith, unless they are held 

under licence made under this legislation. This requirement only relates to avian influenza viruses and Newcastle Disease viruses which are either uncharacterised or have been found to be of 

higher pathogenicity (set out in the legislation), or for avian influenza type A viruses H5 or H7 subtypes with specified nucleotide sequences. Echinococcus and Trichinella are only notifiable under 

this Order. g – These are syndromes that are notifiable in human medicine. 

companion | 9

Notifiable and zoonotic disease 

for companion animal practitioners 

■■ More than half of households keep 

pets, and even among those who do 

not own companion animals the 

majority will have direct (animal) or 

indirect (e.g. faecal) contact with a 

companion animal at some time*. 

■■ Animals share our homes, and often 

our kitchens and bedrooms, increasing 

the risk of disease transmission*. 

■■ The introduction of the Pet Travel 

Scheme has led to a significant increase 

in pet travel. This is likely to increase 

further following the reduction in 

regulation and quarantine after 1st 

January 2012. The increase in 

movement of companion animals 

increases the risk of introduction of 

‘exotic’ and potentially zoonotic 

disease. 

■■ The increasing tendency to keep ‘exotic 

pets’ also carries implications for the 

spread of zoonotic disease*. 

There are a wide range of diseases 

which can theoretically be transmitted from 

animals to humans; further details can be 

obtained from the Health Protection 

Agency website (http://www.hpa.org.uk/ 

Topics/InfectiousDiseases/ 

InfectionsAZ/Zoonoses/ 

TableZoonoticDiseases). 

Examples of zoonotic disease 

Salmonellosis 

Infection may occur in all animals and is 

usually acquired through contact with 

contaminated food or water or from 

exposure to infected faecal material. It 

should be noted that Salmonella spp. have 

been isolated from a wide range of species 

kept as pets, possibly as components of 

the natural flora, from rodents, reptiles and 

birds. While acute gastroenteritis is the 

most common manifestation of infection, 

septicaemia may also develop. Enteric 

salmonellosis is self-limiting and antibiotics 

are not indicated in uncomplicated cases. 

Animals with septicaemia will require 

intensive care including fluid therapy and 

appropriate antibiotic therapy. Of particular 

10 | companion 

note in guinea pigs, salmonellosis typically 

manifests as septicaemia and death rather 

than enteritis and diarrhoea. 

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis 

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) 

is an RNA Arenavirus that causes a chronic 

fatal wasting of young hamsters. Wild mice 

are a common primary reservoir of 

infection but hamsters and guinea pigs can 

also act as reservoirs. The disease may 

also be seen in chinchillas and chipmunks. 

Diagnosis is by PCR, serological detection 

of anti-LCMV antibodies or virus isolation. 

Humans may become infected by 

exposure to urine and faeces or from a 

bite. In most human cases symptoms are 

flu-like: headaches, fever, myalgia or 

arthritis. Rarely a fatal aseptic meningitis or 

meningoencephalitis develops. 

As well as considering disease in animals 

we have to consider the health 

implications for ourselves, and our staff, of 

contact with zoonotic diseases which may 

require reporting under the Reporting of 

Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous 

Occurrences Regulations, 1995 

(RIDDOR). These include: 

■■ Anthrax 

■■ Brucellosis 

■■ Chlamydiosis 

■■ Leptospirosis 

■■ Lyme disease 

■■ Q fever 

■■ Rabies 

■■ Tuberculosis. 

Further information can be obtained 

from http://www.hpa.org.uk. 

Companion animal notifiable 

disease 

Rabies 

Classical rabies was eradicated from the 

UK in 1922. It is thought that our island 

status makes it unlikely that terrestrial 

rabies will be re-introduced through wildlife 

and that the largest risk for rabies entering 

the UK would be through an infected 

animal imported into the country illegally. 

The last case of rabies in an animal outside 

of quarantine in the UK was a dog in 

Camberley in 1970 and the last case of 

rabies in quarantine was reported in 2008. 

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) was 

launched in 2000 to allow people to travel 

with their pets while ensuring the UK 

remains free from rabies and certain other 

exotic diseases. In total, 752,945 pet 

animals have entered the UK under PETS 

since 2000 (ferrets have only been able to 

enter under the scheme since July 2004), 

and there have been no cases of rabies in 

any of these animals (Defra, 2010). 

However, since 2001 nine rabid dogs 

have been illegally introduced into France; 

all but one of these was imported from 

Morocco through Spain. Rabies has also 

been reported in individual animals in 

Norway and The Netherlands, indicating 

that illegally imported dogs continue to 

pose a risk of rabies in otherwise rabiesfree 

regions. 

Defra have admitted that the changes 

to the pet travel regulations that came into 

effect on 1st January 2012 do increase the 

risk of rabies being introduced to the UK. 

However their risk assessment suggests 

that the risk is still very small, calculated to 

be one rabies introduction every 211 years, 

or one rabies case for 9,809,601 animals 

imported, although these figures assume 

100% compliance with the regulations 

(VLA 2010). 

EBLV 

Cases of bats infected with one of the two 

European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV) subtypes 

have been confirmed in the UK as recently 

as 2009. One of these cases resulted in 

the death of a bat worker in Scotland in 

November 2002. EBLV is transmitted 

through contact with an infected bat, for 

example through bites, scratches or saliva. 

All reported cases in the UK have so far 

occurred in Daubenton’s bats (Myotis 

daubentonii), a common species which 

often comes into human contact as it 

roosts in houses.

Up to 8% of Daubenton’s bats carry 

antibodies to the virus. A novel lyssavirus 

has recently been reported in a Natterer’s 

bat in Germany. It is very rare for EBLVs to 

cross the ‘species barrier’; however EBLV-1 

has infected other animals, including five 

sheep in Denmark, a stone marten in 

Germany, and two cats in France. Classical 

rabies has never been recorded in a native 

European bat species. 

Defra takes a precautionary approach 

to possible contacts with bats by bat 

workers and others handling bats on a 

routine basis, as well as any incident where 

a member of the public has come into 

contact with a bat. 

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) 

has detailed guidance, which includes 

recommended pre-exposure vaccination 

for those handling bats, and immediate 

precautionary administration of rabies 

vaccine for anyone bitten or scratched by a 

bat. In light of the HPA guidance, it is not 

automatically necessary to euthanase a 

healthy bat for rabies testing involved in a 

biting or scratching incident. However, any 

bat suspected of being infected with EBLV 

must, by law, be reported to the AHVLA. 

Readers are directed to the “How to handle 

bats” article in companion June 2009 for 

more information. 

Notifiable diseases of other 

animals that may affect pets 

Although rabies is the only notifiable 

disease which normally affects dogs and 

cats, it should be remembered that dogs 

and cats can sometimes become infected 

with other notifiable diseases. 

Avian influenza 

There have been no cases of avian 

influenza reported in dogs, but there are a 

small number of confirmed cases in cats. It 

is thought that cases of H5N1 infection in 

cats have resulted from prior consumption 

of infected bird carcasses when wild birds 

have died from avian influenza H5N1. 

Experimental research has also shown that 

ferrets and other mustelids are potentially 

susceptible to highly pathogenic avian 

influenza. However natural infections in 

carnivores appear to be self-limiting. 

Tuberculosis (Bovine TB) 

Pets can be exposed to TB from a variety 

of sources including infected cattle, 

badgers and other wildlife. Dogs and cats 

are variably susceptible to infection 

caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 

M. bovis, M. microti and M. avium. Cats 

appear to have an innate resistance to 

M. tuberculosis. Tuberculosis has also 

been recorded in ferrets*. 

Clinical signs reflect the site of 

granuloma formation, but whether the 

infection remains at this site or 

disseminates systemically is determined by 

host immunity. Respiratory infection is 

more common in the dog, whereas the cat 

is more likely to develop cutaneous or 

intestinal disease. 

Granuloma formation in the lungs and 

mediastinal lymph nodes leads to cough, 

weight loss and pyrexia, while granuloma 

in the oropharynx may cause dysphagia, 

hypersalivation and retching. Generalized 

mycobacteriosis presents with 

splenomegaly, pleural or pericardial 

effusions, generalized lymphadenopathy, 

weight loss and fever*. 

A definitive diagnosis depends on 

demonstrating acid-fast bacilli. For classic 

tuberculosis the prognosis is grave. The 

decision to treat should be carefully 

considered in view of the zoonotic 

potential as well as the complexity and 

costs of treatment. 

Bovine TB is a zoonotic disease; 

therefore, where bTB in pets is disclosed, 

Animal Health or the private veterinary 

surgeon must inform the Consultant in 

Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) 

of the Local Health Authority so that any 

risks to human contacts can be 

investigated. If TB is reported in a farm 

cat or dog, the AHVLA will instigate 

TB testing of any cattle on the farm and 

other, potentially exposed cattle, on 

neighbouring premises. 

Anthrax 

Both dogs and cats are relatively resistant 

to infection with Bacillus anthracis. When it 

does occur it is usually through the 

ingestion of contaminated carcasses or 

animal by-products. Local inflammation of 

the upper gastrointestinal tract is followed 

by local and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. 

Diagnosis is made by the examination of 

Gram-stained blood smears or fine-needle 

aspirates, which show the characteristic 

Gram-positive rods. 

Aujeszky’s disease 

(pseudorabies) 

In dogs and cats pseudorabies usually 

presents as a per-acute rapidly fatal 

disease. Before death the animal may 

show ptyalism, pruritus, restlessness and 

aimless wandering, as well as depression. 

The disease is usually contracted through 

the ingestion of contaminated meat or offal. 

Brucellosis 

Brucella canis is prevalent in many areas of 

the world although it is believed to be 

absent from the UK*. Infected bitches may 

suffer abortion, most commonly between 

days 45 and 55 of pregnancy, although 

early resorption or stillborn puppies can 

also occur. In male dogs Brucella spp. may 

cause granulomatous epididymitis and 

prostatitis. B. canis can also affect other 

tissues, such as the eye (recurrent anterior 

uveitis) and skin (nodular and diffuse 

pyogranulomatous dermatitis), as well as 

being implicated in disco-spondylitis*. 

Serology for brucellosis should be 

undertaken in dogs that have been 

imported into the UK or in areas where 

Brucella canis is endemic; serological titres 

of 1:200 or greater are diagnostic for the 

disease. The isolation of the bacterium 

from blood or aborted tissues is diagnostic 

but as there are prolonged periods when a 

bitch is not bacteraemic, negative blood 

cultures do not rule out disease. The most 

common route of infection is venereal. ■ 

*For a useful list of links and references see the Advice 

section of www.bsava.com. 

companion | 11

Clinical conundrum 

Rebecca Thorne, intern at Davies Veterinary 

Specialists invites companion readers to 

consider the approach to a tachypnoeic 

older Labrador retriever 


Case presentation 

An 11-year-old, male neutered, Labrador 

retriever presented with a reduced appetite 

and lethargy of several weeks duration. 

Clinical examination was mostly 

unremarkable, but the dog was tachypnoeic 

(RR 50 breaths pm) with increased effort but 

reduced depth of inspiration. On thoracic 

auscultation cardiac sounds were noted in a 

more caudal location than normal and the 

cranial thorax seemed dull on percussion. 

Create a problem list for this patient 

■■ Tachypnoea and increased effort 

■■ Lethargy 

■■ Decreased appetite 

■■ Caudally displaced heart sounds 

■■ Dull thoracic percussion 

Create a list of likely differential 

diagnoses for this case 

Tachypnoea and increased effort could have a 

multitude of aetiologies. They can be considered in 

light of the anatomical area of the airway involved. 

Small airway disease 

■■ Foreign body 

Pulmonary parenchymal disease 

■■ Neoplasia 

■■ Haemorrhage 

■■ Pulmonary fibrosis 

■■ Infectious disease, eg: Bordetella bronchiseptica 

■■ Pulmonary oedema 

■■ Thromboembolism 

■■ Parasitic eg: Angiostrongylus vasorum 

Thoracic tracheal disease 

■■ Extra-luminal compression 

■■ Tracheal collapse 

■■ Neoplasia 

Pleural (restrictive) disease: 

■■ Neoplasia: mediastinal, thoracic wall 

■■ Pleural effusion – pyo-, chylo-, haemo-thorax 

■■ Diaphragmatic hernia or rupture 

The differential diagnosis list can be further refined 

on the basis of the pattern of respiration observed. 

Upper respiratory tract disease (nasal passages, 

pharynx, larynx and trachea) was less likely as the dog 

was showing no clinical signs of stertor or stridor and 

the dyspnoea was not primarily inspiratory. This was 

considered an important rule out as laryngeal paralysis 

would be a common differential for respiratory distress 

in an older Labrador retriever. Parenchymal lung 

diseases were considered less likely as these are often 

associated with a mixed pattern with both inspiratory 

and expiratory effort, which was not seen in this case. 

Similarly small airway disease was unlikely as it is 

typified by a short inspiratory and prolonged expiratory 

phase. This patient’s respiratory pattern could be 

described as restrictive, an increased respiratory rate 

with reduced depth of inspiration, which is most 

consistent with pleural space disease. However, these 

signs might be attributable to anaemia and this 

possibility cannot be excluded at this stage. 

In support of this suspicion the caudally displaced 

heart sounds suggests a space occupying lesion in 

the cranial thorax displacing the heart and this would 

also be consistent with dull thoracic percussion. 

Lethargy could be attributed to the tachypnoea, 

increased respiratory effort and reduced respiratory 

capacity. Decreased appetite is a fairly non specific 

clinical sign, particularly in this case which has 

evidence of other disease and was not considered 

further in isolation. 

In summary the patient’s respiratory pattern 

suggests a pleural space disease, supported by 

apparent displacement of the heart on auscultation 

and dull thoracic percusion. As such the most likely 

differential would be a large space occupying 

thoracic mass.

What initial investigations would you 

consider? 

A blood sample was taken for routine haematology 

and biochemistry as it was anticipated that the further 

investigation would require sedation or anaesthesia 

and the patient was geriatric. This also allowed 

checking of a PCV, in light of the possibility of 

anaemia. The blood results were unremarkable apart 

from a mild normocytic normochromic anaemia (PCV 

= 29) which was of insufficient severity to account for 

the tachypnoea. 

Investigation of thoracic disease commenced with 

radiographs of the thorax to investigate the respiratory 

signs. As a single diagnostic procedure this was most 

likely to direct further appropriate investigation, based 

on the findings. Other investigations that might have 

been informative, such as pulse oximetry or performing 

an arterial blood gas analysis, might be indicated 

based on the findings of thoracic radiography. 

What is your interpretation of the right 

lateral thoracic radiograph (Figure 1)? 

The thoracic image shows a large cranial thoracic 

“mass” of soft tissue or fluid radiopacity which is 

displacing and compressing the trachea dorsally and 

the lung lobes to the caudo-dorsal thorax. The “mass” 

extends from the thoracic inlet to the 5th intercostal 

space and displaces the cardiac silhouette, which is 

somewhat more upright than usual, caudally. An 

orthogonal view (eg a DV thoracic radiograph) would 

have been required to definitively locate the ”mass” 

but based on the presence of tracheal elevation a 

mediastinal origin seemed most likely. 

Figure 1: Right lateral thoracic radiograph 

In light of the radiographic findings refine 

your differential diagnosis list 

Mediastinal mass 

■■ Mediastinal cyst 

■■ Non-neoplastic mediastinal masses (abscess, 

lymphadenopathy, haematoma) 

■■ Mediastinal neoplasia 

– ■ Lymphoma 

– ■ Thymoma 

– ■ Heart base tumour 

– ■ Metastatic neoplasia 

How would you narrow you differential 

diagnoses? 

Further diagnostically useful information is likely to 

be gained from ultrasonographic evaluation of the 

mass, and this would also allow decision making 

regarding sampling strategy. For example masses may 

be seen to be highly vascular, precluding a Tru-cut 

biopsy, or cystic, allowing directed sampling by fine 

needle aspiration. 

In this case a large heterogeneous mass of 

variable echotexture and echogenicity was visualised 

arising from, and obliterating, the cranial mediastinum. 

There were numerous vacuolations throughout the 

mass. Fine needle aspirates under ultrasound 

guidance were performed from the solid portions of 

the mass and these were examined. 

Figure 2: Cytology from mediastinal mass (x200) 

Courtesy of PTDS 

companion | 13


Clinical conundrum 

What is your interpretation of the 

cytology? (Figure 2) 

Within a background of fresh blood there is a 

scattered heterogenous population of lymphoid 

cells, dominated by small lymphocytes and a 

single cluster of larger atypical epithelial cells. 

Diagnosis – Thymoma. 

Differentiation between thymoma and lymphoma 

cytologically is challenging as both will display 

prominent lymphoid populations, normal and 

heterogenous in the former, homogenous and 

neoplastic in the latter. The neoplastic component of a 

thymoma is epithelial and only when this is identified, 

as in this case, can a cytologist be confident of a 

diagnosis of thymoma. Mast cells can be identified in 

upto 85% of cytological samples from thymomas, and 

this may also aid differentiation. Often histological 

examination is required to obtain a definitive 

diagnosis, sometimes even immunohistochemistry. In 

this case Tru-cut biopsy had been planned had 

cytological examination not immediately yielded a 

definitive diagnosis. 

Are there any clinical signs of any of the 

paraneoplastic syndromes associated 

with canine thymoma in this case? 

The paraneoplastic syndromes associated with 

thymoma are listed below. In this case, there were no 

clinical signs which were not immediately attributable 

to the mass effect of the neoplasia. This is of relevance 

as, for example, the presence of megaoesophagus 

due to myasthenia gravis, is a strong negative 

prognostic indicator and such patients may be poor 

treatment candidates. 

■■ Myaesthenia gravis 

■■ Paraneoplastic dermatitis 

■■ Paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia 

■■ Cranial vena cava syndrome 

■■ Horners Syndrome 

What treatment options are available for 

canine thymoma? 

Chemotherapy – Thymoma are poorly responsive to 

cytotoxic agents, although some reduction in size may 

be seen. However it is unclear if size reduction is due 

to an anti-neoplastic effect or solely because the 

cytotoxic and/or corticosteroid protocols reduce the 

non neoplastic lymphoid content of the thymoma. 

Chemotherapy is indicated if other treatment 

modalities are unsuitable or unavailable and may offer 

some symptomatic relief associated with mass effect. 

Surgery – Surgical excision, if feasible, can be 

curative and the clinical signs associated with the 

mass effect will be relieved. However the feasibility of 

the surgery depends on the invasiveness of the mass, 

its association with the phrenic nerves and adhesions 

to vascular structures. When full excision is achieved 

recurrence is uncommon and survival times in excess 

of 2 years are expected. 

Radiotherapy – If surgical excision is not possible due 

to the invasiveness of the thymoma, radiotherapy can 

be considered. Three quarters of thymoma treated in 

this way can be expected to shrink to some degree, 

occasionally completely. Survival times typically 

average nine months. 

As is implied by the above discussion, whether the 

thymoma is invasive or not determines the treatment 

strategy employed. Typically half of cases will be 

classed as non invasive (well encapsulated) and 

further information regarding this distinction is gained 

using advanced imaging. CT provides information on 

the definitive margins of the mass, its size and extent 

of the mass effect as well as allowing evaluation of 

invasion into surrounding structures such as the cranial 

vena cava, thoracic wall and pericardium. CT offers 

considerable advantages over thoracic radiography 

allowing better distinction between solid, lipid, cystic, 

mineralisation and vascular structures. CT is also more 

sensitive in identifying pulmonary metastases in the 

rare cases of thymic carcinoma. 

However it can be easy to overestimate invasion 

into associated structures on CT alone and often the 

true extent of invasion or local adhesions is only 

apparent during surgery. As such, images should be 

evaluated by a surgeon and a radiologist and a 

consensus of opinion reached. In short, whilst CT 

evaluation can identify those patients in which excision 

is clearly indicated or those in which it appears 

impossible, there will still be a proportion of individuals 

in which it will only become clear at exploratory 

thoracotomy if resection is feasible. 

Should resection not be possible then the 

information gained at CT will be useful in the planning 

of radiotherapy.

Evaluate the CT (Figure 3). Are there 

obvious signs of invasion into the pleura, 

thoracic vasculature or pericardium? 

There is a large mass (12 x 7 x 14 cm) occupying the 

majority of the cranioventral aspect of the thoracic 

cavity. The mass extends caudally and ventrally to the 

immediate surroundings of the cardiac silhouette. The 

heterogenous appearance, particularly evident on the 

dorsal plane, indicates internal areas of fluid, most 

likely necrosis. The cranial vena cava is dorsally 

displaced and compressed. There are fascial planes 

between the mass and surrounding structures (pleura, 

thoracic vasculature and pericardium). 

As such, with a mass of this size excision would be 

challenging but possible. Based on the mass effect 

observed it was likely that development of cranial vena 

cava syndrome would be imminent. Based on the 

likelyhood of development of other clinical signs and 

that it was possible that excision might be achieved, 

the owners opted for a surgical approach. 

Surgical report 

At exploratory sternotomy a large mediastinal mass 

was identified cranial to the heart. The mass was 

adhered to the surrounding structures including the 

phrenic nerves. These nerves and other structures 

were dissected free from the mass resulting in mild to 

moderate intraoperative haemorrhage. An 

intraoperative typed blood transfusion was performed 

and the thorax was closed routinely. A thoracostomy 

tube was placed to manage the pleural space, 

provide intra-pleural analgesia and to allow monitoring 

of any haemorrhage. 

A B 

C 

Patient outcome 

Following an initial smooth recovery from anaesthesia, 

low grade haemorrhage into the thoracic cavity 

continued. Further mild haemorrhage could be seen in 

subcutaneous locations along the thoracostomy tube 

tunnel. A coagulation profile revealed marked 

prolongation of clotting times in association with 

thrombocytopenia and a consumptive coagulopathy was 

suspected. A plasma transfusion was administered as a 

source of clotting factors in addition to intravenous colloid 

and crystalloid support. Following a normalised 

coagulation profile, a further unit of blood was given to 

account for the blood loss overnight, however total protein 

remained low. The patient then went on to make a steady 

recovery, although there was a constant battle between 

providing adequate intravascular volume support, 

maintaining urine output and the development of 

generalised oedema. The thoracotomy tube was removed 

after 5 days, when total protein had improved, and the 

patient discharged after a total post-surgery 

hospitalisation stay of 8 days. 

Summary 

Although advanced imaging modalities allow for more 

pre-surgery decision making, in cases of thymoma, there 

are some patients for whom exploratory thoractomy is 

necessary to determine whether excision is achievable. 

As such, CT images must be carefully evaluated before 

surgery is excluded as a treatment option for large 

thymomas or those with evidence of invasion. ■ 

The author would like to thank all her colleagues, both 

vets and nurses, for their assistance with this case. 

Figure 3: Sagittal 

(A), dorsal (B) 

and transverse 

(C) plane MPR 

constructions 

(soft tissue 

window of 

cranial thoracic 

CT at the level of 

the ‘mass’) 

companion | 15

How to select 

and collect: feline 

blood donation 


Danielle Banks, Diagnostic 

Supervisor at Davies 

Veterinary Specialists, 

describes the practicalities of 

feline blood donation 

Blood transfusions may be carried out for a 

variety of conditions, including those 

associated with anaemia (haemorrhage, 

haemolysis, or reduced erythropoiesis), 

coagulopathies, sepsis, disseminated intravascular 

coagulation and specific factor deficiencies. 

Unfortunately the methods of collection for feline 

blood do not make it suitable for storage nor, at 

present, is feline blood available from external blood 

banks. Therefore, when presented with a case 

requiring a transfusion it is best practice to collect 

blood at the time of need specifically for that case. 

Feline blood types 

The feline blood AB type system is quite different to 

that of the dog. There are three blood types; type A, 

type B and type AB (which is rare). Most cats (~95%) 

in the UK are type A. 

The prevalence of feline blood types varies with 

breed but type B seems to be seen in higher 

prevalence (upto 50%) in breeds such as British 

Shorthair, Birman, Devon Rex and Persian, whilst the 

majority of domestic shorthair/longhair and Siamese 

cats tend to be type A (Figure 1). 

Unlike dogs, cats tend to develop antibodies 

directed against the opposite blood type 

antigens A or B. These antibodies can cause destruction 

of transfused erythrocytes of the opposite blood type. 

Typically type B cats develop anti-A antibodies earlier 

than type A cats develop anti-B antibodies but all cats 

should be assumed to possess alloantibodies. 

■■ Most type B cats have high titres of anti-A 

antibodies and should a type B cat receive type A 

blood a potentially fatal transfusion reaction can 

occur. 

TYpe A 

TYpe B 

Figure 1: An increased proportion, but not all, of the 

individuals of the illustrated breeds will be of the blood type 

shown here 

■■ Type A cats will generally have a lower titre of 

anti-B antibodies and so should a type A cat 

receive type B blood, although accelerated 

destruction may occur, a transfusion reaction is 

unlikely to be as severe as the other way around. 

■■ Type AB cats have neither alloantibody and should 

ideally receive AB blood, although obtaining an AB

donor can be difficult. Practically type A donor 

blood would be an appropriate choice for AB cats 

as it contains low levels of anti-B antibodies to 

react with the recipient’s AB erythrocytes. As is 

clearly apparent from this discussion, 

administering compatible type-specific blood is 

mandatory in feline transfusion. See Table 1. 

DOnOR 

BLOOD 

GROUp 

RecipienT BLOOD GROUp 

A B AB 

A OK Maybe fatal Possible 

reaction 

B Reaction OK Reaction 

AB Reaction Maybe fatal OK 

Table 1: Reactions produced between donor and recipient 

blood types 

Mik antigen 

Recently a blood group antigen, and clinically 

relevant alloantibody, distinct from the AB blood 

group system has been discovered. Researchers 

have named this Mik. The absence of Mik can be 

associated with naturally occurring anti-Mik 

alloantibodies. In light of this knowledge, and given 

that more blood group antigens are likely to become 

known in the future, it is clear that the AB blood group 

system is simplistic. Therefore, ideally all cats should 

be cross-matched prior to transfusion, particularly if 

multiple transfusions are likely. 

Cross-matching 

Cross-matching is the gold standard laboratory test 

used to determine the serological compatibility 

between the donor and recipient red blood cells 

and is recommended in all cases. Practically 

however, cross-matching can not always be 

performed and its use is typically restricted to 

animals likely to receive more than one transfusion 

or before a second transfusion. 

From a pragmatic point of view, use of typed rather 

than cross-matched blood is likely to be suitable in 

most general practice situations. A brief guide to 

cross-matching, from a previous How to article 

(companion April 2011) is reproduced in Box 1. 

BOX 1: ABBreviAted slide crOss‑mAtch 

pROceDURe 

1. Collect blood into an EDTA tube from recipient and 

donor. 

2. Centrifuge tubes to settle the RBCs, remove the 

supernatant and transfer to a clean, labelled glass or 

plastic tube. 

3. For each donor prepare 3 slides labelled as major, 

minor and recipient control. 

4. Place 1 drop of RBCs and 2 drops of plasma on to each 

slide according to the following: 

■■ Major cross-match = donor RBCs + recipient plasma 

■■ Minor cross-match = recipient RBCs + donor plasma 

■■ Recipient control = recipient RBCs + recipient 

plasma 

5. Gently rock the slides to mix the plasma and red 

cells and examine for haemagglutination after 

1–5 minutes (presence of agglutination indicates 

incompatibility); recipient control agglutination will 

invalidate results. 

Despite using type-specific blood and performing 

a cross-match, it is still possible for transfusion 

reactions to occur, even when donor and recipient 

appear compatible, and close monitoring is vital 

during any transfusion. Similarly, warning clients of 

the possibility of transfusion reactions inspite of 

compatibility testing, is mandatory before any 

feline transfusion. 

Feline blood typing 

The principle of all veterinary blood typing methods is 

a visible haemagglutination reaction between patient 

RBC surface antigens and known reagent monoclonal 

or polyclonal antisera. There are several different 

typing kits available. 

Feline donors and recipients must always be 

blood-typed due to the naturally occurring antibodies 

and this can be achieved using simple in-house test 

kits (for example Alvedia Quick Test A+B) which will 

type for A, B and AB blood types (Figure 2). It is 

worth noting that profound autoagglutination, as might 

be seen with IMHA, will prevent blood typing by 

in-house methods. Furthermore when an AB result is 

received it should be checked by an external 

laboratory for confirmation. 

companion | 17

A 


How to select and collect: 


Figure 2: A variety of methods exist for feline blood 

typing including immunomigration assays (such as the 

Alvedia kit (A and result – Type A) and blood typing 

cards (B and result – Type B). possible results are 

Type A, B or AB 

Figure 2a courtesy of pet Blood Bank 

B 

Red blood cell substitutes 

Oxyglobin (a polymerized bovine haemoglobin 

solution) was available until recently as an alternative 

to feline blood for improving the oxygen carrying 

capacity. Currently out of production, the 

manufacturers (OPK Biotech) are applying for a 

licence and production is hoped to re-commence 

shortly. Prior to cessation of production this product 

was not authorized for use in cats but had been used 

“off-licence” in cats with few reported complications. 

The main advantages of Oxyglobin are that its use 

avoids the possibility of incompatibility reactions and 

it is has a greater ability to deliver oxygen to the 

tissues than erythrocytes. Therefore Oxyglobin is 

principally useful in cases where type-specific blood 

is not available or, particularly relevant to cats, when 

oxygen carrying capacity is needed immediately and 

the patient cannot wait for the time taken to collect 

feline blood. The main disadvantage is its short 

duration of effect (11–82 hours); compared with 

erythrocytes (maximum circulating lifespan of 

transfused cells is 4–6 weeks). 

Furthermore Oxyglobin acts as a plasma volume 

expander as it is a potent colloid and causes 

vasoconstriction. Patients, particularly those which are 

volume-replete, must therefore be carefully monitored 

to prevent fluid overload. Conversely, Oxyglobin is an 

excellent choice in patients in which rapid volume 

expansion is required. 

Recruiting blood donors 

Despite there being animal blood banks in the UK, the 

author is not aware of any currently supplying feline 

blood. At Pet Blood Bank a pilot project, funded by the 

Waltham Foundation, has been underway looking into 

various collection methods, with a conclusion to this 

project due for publication in 2012. It is hoped that in 

the future Pet Blood Bank may be able to provide 

feline blood products. 

However, at present, veterinary practices must 

rely on recruiting their own donors. There are two 

principle sources. The Animal Blood Register can be 

used to obtain a list of possible donors in your area 

(www.animalbloodregister.com). This online register 

allows owners to register their pets and contact details 

and allows vets to access them via a secure 

registration system. 

Alternatively, practices may choose to use staff 

pets for convenience or to recruit client’s pets. If feline 

transfusions are regularly carried out, creating a 

database of donors will be useful when a transfusion is 

required in an emergency. The donors should be 

pre-typed and have had an initial pre-screening of 

biochemistry and haematology, as well as being tested 

for feline leukaemia virus, feline immunodeficiency 

virus and haemotropic Mycoplasma sp. 

The ideal donor 

Careful selection of potential donors minimizes both 

the risk to the donor of the blood collection and to the 

recipient of the blood transfusion. The owner of the 

donor should be made aware of the risks associated 

with sedation and donating blood. All donors should: 

■■ Be in good general health. The sedation and 

collection of blood from the donor can result in 

hypotension and can exacerbate pre-existing 

conditions such as cardiac and renal disease. 

■■ Undergo initial pre-screening for biochemistry and 

haematology. They should also have tested 

negative for feline leukaemia virus, feline 

immunodeficiency virus and haemotropic 

Mycoplasma sp. Ideal donors maintain a lifestyle 

which limits exposure to the viruses, i.e. indoor-only 

cats. It is recommended that these blood tests are 

carried out on a yearly basis, whilst the cat is a 

donor. The owner of the recipient cat should be

made aware that despite testing for infections such 

as feline leukaemia virus, false negatives are 

possible and there is a chance that the recipient cat 

could become affected with one of these disorders. 

■■ Be regularly vaccinated and regularly treated for 

endo- and ecto-parasites. 

■■ Not have travelled abroad, therefore preventing the 

need for testing for ‘foreign diseases’. 

■■ Not have received a previous transfusion because 

of the risk of development of antibodies to other 

blood types which would complicate a future 

transfusion. 

■■ Be between 1–8 years of age. Over 8 years old, 

sub-clinical diseases will be more likely. 

■■ Weigh over 4.5 kg with good body condition. 

■■ Be of calm temperament. 

■■ Not be pregnant, nor have had previous 

pregnancies. 

■■ Ideally have a packed cell volume greater than 

35%. This should be checked prior to each 

collection. In practice cats with a PCV in the normal 

range meeting all other criteria are suitable donors. 

Restraint during collection 

In the author’s experience all cats will require sedation 

for blood collection, unless the cat undergoes 

substantial and adequate training and is very calm. 

Ethically, it is vital that the procedure is as stress-free 

as possible, as the donor cat is undergoing a 

procedure which is not of any personal benefit. The 

drugs used for sedation are dependent on operator 

preference. The staff handling the collection should be 

familiar with the drugs to ensure the sedation can be 

managed safely. The drugs should be short acting, 

dosed to effect or be reversible. It is advisable to avoid 

acepromazine due to the hypotension it causes and 

the difficulties this may cause during collection. 

Sedative drug combinations which are commonly 

used in the author’s practice for blood collection are: 

■■ Medetomidine 20 µg/kg and butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg 

i.m. – reverse with atipamezole 50 µg/kg i.m. 

■■ Ketamine 3–5 mg/kg, midazolam 0.2 mg/kg and 

butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg i.m. 

These provide up to 30 minutes of sedation, 

commencing 5 minutes after intramuscular 

administration. 

The feline blood donation 

The acceptable donation volume in cats is 

10–12 ml/kg and this typically results in a total 

donation of ~50 ml. Donations should not be more 

frequent than every 3 months. With frequent donors 

it is advisable to alternate between the left and 

right jugular veins. 

It is important to keep accurate records of the 

donors and of each donation. From these records it 

can be ensured that regular health checks are carried 

out and that any reasons why the cat should not 

donate are identified. Notes on the donor’s reaction to 

dosages of drugs used for sedation can be made 

which will aid future donations. 

Aseptically prepare the equipment (Box 2) by 

flushing though the butterfly needle and three-way tap 

with CPDA and drawing up 2.5 ml CPDA into the 

20 ml syringes and 1.25 ml CPDA into the 10 ml 

syringe (a 1:7 ratio). Set up the fluids ready for 

administering post donation. 

■■ Once the donor checks are successfully 

completed, place an intravenous catheter and 

sedate the donor. 

■■ The assistant should restrain the donor in lateral or 

sternal recumbency, with the head extended to 

expose the jugular vein. If the patient is in lateral 

recumbency then placing padding under the 

patient’s neck may aid visualisation and access to 

the jugular vein. 

■■ The hair is clipped and the skin surgically 

prepared. 

BOX 2 

The following is required for the donation: 

■■ Suitable sedative drugs 

■■ Clippers 

■■ Surgical scrub and spirit 

■■ Sterile gloves 

■■ Equipment for intravenous catheter placement 

■■ 19 G butterfly needle and three-way tap 

■■ Citrate phosphate dextrose acid (CPDA) anticoagulant 

obtained from standard human blood collection bag 

■■ 20 ml syringe x 2, 10 ml syringe x 1 

■■ 19 G needles to cap the filled syringes 

■■ 100 ml blood collection bag and 19 G needle (optional) 

■■ Hartmann’s fluids and giving set 

■■ The phlebotomist and two assistants 

companion | 19


How to select and collect: 


Figure 3: Blood is withdrawn into a 20 ml syringe containing 

2.5 ml of cpDA, and regularly mixed during collection. Use of 

a three-way tap is highly recommended, although not seen 

in this photograph 

■■ The phlebotomist raises the vein and inserts the 

butterfly needle into the jugular vein; this can be 

directed caudally or cranially. 

■■ The needle is attached to the three-way tap and 

the syringe. The second assistant draws back on 

the syringe to collect the blood. The syringe should 

be regularly inverted to mix the blood thoroughly 

with the CPDA (Figure 3). 

■■ Once the first syringe is filled the three-way tap is 

closed and the syringe disconnected before being 

capped with a sterile needle. 

■■ The second assistant then repeats the process 

with the second and third syringes. 

■■ Once complete, the butterfly needle is removed 

and gentle pressure with a dry swab is applied 

over the jugular vein. Any sedation is reversed 

as necessary. 

■■ If desired, the blood can then be transferred 

aseptically into the blood collection bag. 

The donor should be kept warm and carefully 

monitored whilst they recover. Hartmann’s fluid is 

administered intravenously – typically 2–3 times the 

amount of blood that has been collected. This should 

be administered as a 5–10 ml/kg bolus over 20 

minutes and then the remainder at 4 ml/kg/h over the 

next 2–3 hours. Food should be offered to the donor 

as soon as possible. 

Other options for collection 

Other options are available for the collection of feline 

blood, such as the use of a 50 ml syringe with 

integrated blood collection bag. Although these may 

be easier from the point of view that syringes do not 

need to be changed, in the author’s opinion they pose 

a number of difficulties. The use of a 50 ml syringe 

results in increased pressure in comparison to a 

smaller syringe and this can cause the vein to collapse 

making blood collection very difficult. 

Secondly, if for whatever reason it was not 

possible to obtain the full 50 ml of blood, that which is 

collected would be over-anticoagulated (in a 50 ml 

syringe) and its use would risk complications for the 

recipient (such as hypocalcaemia). By using two 

20 ml and a 10 ml syringe the pheblotomist is 

minimising the risk that any collected blood would 

need to be discarded. 

Once the blood is collected it should be used as 

soon as possible, as the feline blood collection 

technique is not closed and there is a risk of bacterial 

contamination and growth. For further details on feline 

blood administration and transfusion reactions the 

reader is directed to ‘How to utilise blood products in 

small animals’ companion April 2011 and is reminded 

that use of an inline filter is essential (Figure 4). 

Feline blood collection and transfusion is 

achievable in general practice. It requires minimal 

equipment and can often be a life-saving procedure 

for the recipient. It is, however, important to follow an 

established protocols to protect both the donor and 

the recipient. ■ 

Figure 4: Use of an inline filter (such as a hemo-Nate) is 

essential during blood transfusion in cats for removal of 

any clots

Scottish Congress · 31 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER 2012 

Now head 

north for a 

Summer 

Congress 

BSAVA Congress welcomed its 

Celtic siblings with a dedicated 

stand to promote the Northern 

Ireland and Scottish conferences 

in the NIA 

From their stand in the NIA, members of the 

BSAVA Scottish Congress team urged vets and 

nurses in Birmingham to stretch their minds 

further without putting a big dent in their CPD 

budgets by attending the Edinburgh event 31 August 

– 2 September. 

The main topics for vets are ophthalmology and 

orthopaedics, while nurses can strengthen their 

knowledge in nutrition and neutraceuticals, peri/post 

partum conditions and neonatology. 

Accessible CPD 

Anyone who has been to Scottish Congress before 

knows they can expect to experience a warm and 

friendly welcome in Edinburgh. Congress Co-ordinator 

Barbara-Ann Innes said: “We are very much looking 

forward to hosting this great event, which makes 

veterinary expertise, CPD hours and the strong social 

aspect more accessible for those who live in Scotland 

and the north of England, though we do have visitors 

flying in from outside the UK too. 

“There is a lot of expertise in Scotland and this is a 

great place for them to share their experiences. For 

some delegates it will be about cementing knowledge 

they may have lost and for others it will be about 

providing them with new information or refreshing 

clinical skills. 

“It is always a very lively, friendly and interactive 

occasion and the social aspect is still a very big part in 

a great city.” 

Nutrition expertise 

Dr Marge Chandler is a senior lecturer in internal 

medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of 

Edinburgh. She will be speaking on the growing 

importance of nutrition and her ultimate goal is to 

see a nutritional assessment added to the vital 

signs assessment. 

“Every pet, every time – that’s the mantra I want to see 

implemented on every visit to first opinion and referral 

vets,” she said. “Nutrition is the cornerstone of 

management for a lot of disease causes and as vets and 

nurses are the go-betweens to pet owners, it is important 

to educate them about good nutrition. 

“I am really looking forward to the Congress. It is an 

accessible event for Scottish vets and draws international 

visitors too due to the high quality of speakers.” 

Opthalmology focus 

Neil Geddes works at the 10-vet St Clair Practice in Fife 

and will be speaking about the ophthalmology exam and 

how to get the most out of it. 

“It is one of those things that there is not enough time 

to teach at vet school but there should be – for example, 

in the US they have three weeks dedicated to it. 

“I will try to explain the finer points and teach the 

techniques of ophthalmology so that it is more productive, 

because so much is from recognition, such as retinal 

blood vessels as a marker for high blood pressure, 

especially in cats.” 

He added: “It has always been a great Congress and 

this year looks really good, and remarkably good value.” 

For more information visit www.bsava.com/ 

scottishcongress. n 

companion | 21

What ‘Jones’s’ 

has to offer 

Barbara Cooper, Principal of the College of 

Animal Welfare, introduces companion 

readers to the latest edition of the BSAVA 

Textbook of Veterinary Nursing 


The new Occupational Standards and the RCVS 

Level 3 VN syllabus in September 2010 

determined that students study the veterinary 

nursing of both horses and small animals 

(including exotic pets) at a core level and then opt for 

either the small animal or equine pathway. To meet this 

requirement, the latest edition of the BSAVA Textbook 

of Veterinary Nursing covers the core syllabus for small 

animals and horses, plus the syllabus content for 

those students choosing the small animal pathway. 

The textbook has been written by clinicians and 

veterinary nurses with expertise in their field, under the 

direction of the new editorial team of Barbara Cooper, 

Elizabeth Mullineaux and Lynn Turner. Authors with 

specialist equine knowledge and experience have 

contributed to this new edition and the consulting 

equine editor, Tim Greet, has ensured that the horse 

content is accurate and up to date. 

Establishing the format 

Each of the 27 chapters is clearly set out and easy to 

read. Learning objectives are stated at the 

beginning of each chapter, 

outlining what the student 

should be able to do 

Figure 1: 

Skeleton of 

the horse 

Illustration drawn by 

S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons 

(www.livingart.org.uk) 

and printed with her 

permission 

after reviewing the information. The colour photos, 

specially commissioned line drawings, tinted tables 

and highlighted boxes not only aid students in 

preparation for exams but also act as a reference 

source for both students and qualified veterinary 

nurses in their work, whether in a practice or 

educational setting. Useful bullet points, 

self‑assessment questions and additional reference 

sources are also provided for those readers that 

wish to undertake further research. 

The chapters in the textbook are organised so that 

they can be read independently; however, some do 

make reference to other sections of the book, 

reflecting the connection between subject areas. 

Thus, a greater understanding of the role of the 

veterinary nurse can be acquired by reading the 

textbook in its entirety. 

Chapter highlights 

All of the chapters in the 5th edition of the BSAVA 

Textbook of Veterinary Nursing have been revised or 

rewritten. In addition, although not specified in the new 

syllabus, the material on small animal behaviour, 

kennel management and dentistry has been retained 

and updated, as these areas are of practical 

importance for veterinary nurses. Some of the 

highlights of the new edition are summarized here. 

Professional responsibilities, regulation 

and the ethics of veterinary nursing 

This new chapter provides worked examples which 

allow the reader to consider a range of scenarios that 

a veterinary nurse may encounter during their 

professional life. Given the increasing focus on 

veterinary nurses being accountable for their own 

actions, this chapter is essential reading. 

Anatomy and physiology 

This chapter has brought together a range of species 

commonly encountered in veterinary practice, including 

dogs, cats, horses, small mammals, birds and reptiles. 

In each section the generic anatomy is discussed, 

followed by consideration of the major anatomical 

differences between the species or groups. The theory 

is skilfully brought together with excellent line drawings 

to complement the text (Figure 1). 

Client communication and practice 

organization 

This chapter considers the application of 

communication skills in veterinary nursing. 

Communication techniques to deal with cultural 

differences, facilitation, informed consent, aggression 

and health promotion are discussed.

Figure 2: Positioning for a dorsoproximal-dorsodistal oblique 

view of the carpus. The beam should be centred to the 

middle of the joint (X). The foot is placed vertically under the 

upper limb and restrained at the toe. The assistant stands to 

the side 

The nursing process, nursing models and 

care plans 

This chapter covers nursing theories such as the 

Roper, Logan and Tierney Model of the nurse–patient 

relationship, and discusses how models can be 

adapted in a clinical environment. Worked examples 

are provided for the reader to review. 

Diagnostic imaging 

The use of diagnostic imaging modalities such as 

magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography has 

become increasingly commonplace in veterinary 

practice and is considered in this chapter. The text is 

written with the presumption that the reader has no 

former experience in this field and is ideal for those 

wishing to gain or increase their knowledge in this 

area. A practical definition of each diagnostic imaging 

method is provided, along with information on how 

images are obtained. The positioning of small animal 

and equine patients for imaging is also reviewed 

(Figure 2). 

Surgical nursing 

This chapter considers surgical wound management, 

including the healing process, principles of care and 

the use of dressings. The revised and updated text 

incorporates information on reconstructive surgery, 

oncological surgery and the use of endoscopy for 

minimally invasive surgery. With the increasing care 

needs of surgical patients, veterinary nurses are 

challenged more than ever to deliver safe, quality, 

patient care. 

Perfect ending 

A number of useful appendices can be found at the 

back of the textbook, which provide: 

■ Illustrated guides to common dog, cat, horse and 

rabbit breeds 

■ Normal physiological parameters for dogs, cats, 

horses and rabbits 

■ Study skills 

■ Reflective insight into personal and professional 

development. 

The BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, 

5th edition is an invaluable resource for veterinary 

nurses seeking guidance and affirmation of their 

understanding and learning. ■ 

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY 

BSAVA member price: £49.00 

Non-member price £60.00 

Buy online at www.bsava.com or 

call our Customer Services Team on 

01452 726700. 

BOOKSHOP SELLS OUT AT 

CONGRESS 

With an increasing reputati on 

around the world, BSAVA 

Manuals clearly benefi tt ed from 

the increase in internati onal 

delegates who joined their UK 

colleagues to browse and buy 

from the Balcony stand in the 

NIA at Congress. Sales were up 

20% on the same period last 

year and the most popular ti tles 

were the new Dermatology and 

Endocrinology manuals – in fact 

a number of ti tles sold out due 

to popular demand before the 

exhibiti on closed on Sunday 

aft ernoon. There was a huge 

amount of interest in the Practi ce 

Management book due out soon. 

companion | 23

Patience, gentleness, forbe a 

the ability to observe... 

…these are some of the words that frequently 

occur in early proposals for the qualities 

required in a veterinary nurse. A story that 

pre-dates the 1961 introduction of the RCVS 

training scheme by Bruce Jones – author of 

the original BSAVA veterinary nursing textbook 

and Senior Vice Chairman of the Veterinary 

History Society 


Ever since animals have been kept, the value of 

veterinary nursing has been known, but until 

recent years the practice was erratic. 

Invariably, the value of the animal or the wealth 

of the owner were the deciding factors. While there 

was a growing realisation that nursing was an 

invaluable part of animal care and treatment, little was 

done in an organised fashion. 

Early care 

As far back as 1824 Delabere Blaine, in the first 

substantive book on canine diseases, wrote that sick 

dogs, “require great attention and care to ensure their 

recovery… their minds should be soothed by every 

means in the power of those around them”. 

By 1881 the value of nursing was recognised. 

John Woodroffe Hill wrote, “the health of the patient is 

in the majority of cases as much in the hands of the 

nurse as of the professional attendant,” adding that a 

dog was “endued with imagination, instincts, and 

thought, has a language of its own, is sensible of 

neglect, harshness, yea, even cross looks on the part 

of those ministering to it…” 

Dedicated care was finally becoming recognised. 

In 1888 J.H. Steele wrote that veterinary nursing 

required “strict attention to the animal’s comfort and 

well-being in matters of warmth, quietude, cleanliness, 

pure air and diet”. 

Recognition – of sorts 

By 1925 matters had advanced much further and 

Louis Sewell (veterinary surgeon to Queen Alexandria) 

was writing of ‘specially trained canine nurses’, costing 

from £2.10s to £3.0s per week live-in, and of a 

Distemper Hospital in Montpelier Place, Knightsbridge. 

The hospital had four wards and, “an ample staff of 

day and night nurses”. At that time distemper was the 

major canine infectious disease problem, with 

invariably a fatal outcome. 

In 1934 F.W. Cousens (veterinary surgeon to King 

George V) described his Nursing Home, with a 

medically qualified Hospital Matron in charge and 

nurses under her for training, claiming that “this was 

the first attempt at training women nurses for dogs in 

this or any other country”. He also noted that he had 

tried to get the RCVS to recognise the title ‘Canine

ance, 

Nurse’, after passing a suitable examination and being 

granted a certificate of efficiency. 

He recorded, “the Council would not entertain the 

idea”, adding “of course the Council will come round to 

my views, probably sooner than later; and the 

profession of canine nursing will then have not only a 

properly disciplined training but that recognition which 

it deserves and which is a necessary safeguard for the 

public”. Little did he realise that it would be nearly 

30 years before his dream would come true. 

Suggestion of regulation 

Progress was slow and hindered by the 1939–45 war, 

but in 1947 a new edition of Hobday’s Surgical 

Diseases of the Dog and Cat included a chapter on 

veterinary nursing written by Phyllis Peake, who 

(probably uniquely) was qualified both SRN and 

MRCVS. She discussed her subject competently, 

adding that, to be a good animal nurse needed “a 

strong vocational call… for self-sacrifice, tenderness 

and the ability to consider the patient as an 

individual… a good nurse ‘has a way with dogs and 

cats’ there seems to be a bond of sympathy and 

trust between them…kind words and an occasional 

caress are of more value than medicine”. At last – 

cats get a mention! 

Presciently, Peak also wrote, “There is scope for a 

registration system whereby the veterinary surgeon 

can regulate these activities, and the certificate of 

registration could be a sign of competence which 

would be of great value to the prospective employer”. 

Hamilton Kirk, a leading small animal veterinarian 

wrote in 1948 that nursing is an important part of the 

successful treatment of pets. He noted that for all 

treatment, “the first consideration is the provision of a 

capable and conscientious nurse…”; she “should have 

limitless patience… exercise gentleness and 

forbearance and possess the ability to observe”. 

At last – recognition 

Finally, in 1961, the RANA scheme was approved and 

veterinary (animal) nursing became an officially 

recognised professional qualification, and the rest, as 

they say, is history. 

Today vet nurses are an integral part of the 

practice team and their contribution increasingly 

recognised. As BSAVA President Andrew Ash reports, 

“Veterinary nurses are key opinion leaders in my own 

veterinary practice. I know that after every BSAVA 

Congress I am going to have them beating my door 

down about the new equipment that they have seen 

and is suddenly absolutely essential. Nine times out of 

ten, if my nurses have been convinced that we need 

something then it will be adopted by the practice. This 

isn’t just my experience, I know it is echoed around the 

country, which is why BSAVA considers VNs a priority 

when putting together the Congress programme, 

creating relevant manuals and producing practical 

CPD, and now offers a membership option too. Nurses 

aren’t just influential in the practice – they are vital to 

the future of the profession.” ■ 

companion | 25

Chronic kidney 

disease in dogs 


Dr Joy Archer of the University of 

Cambridge describes how 

PetSavers funding has helped 

carry out research into chronic 

kidney disease in dogs 

Research into chronic kidney disease in 

dogs was motivated by awareness from our 

routine diagnostic work that increasing 

numbers of older dogs and cats were being 

referred for CKD. 

With current laboratory tests CKD is not always 

diagnosed at the early stages where intervention and 

treatment would be most effective. This is partly due to 

the problems of not having widely available sensitive 

tests and not knowing which animals with changed 

tests values will progress to chronic disease. Before 

there are increases in the blood levels of urea, 

creatinine and phosphorus there is usually a marked 

loss of kidney function. 

Testing and monitoring 

Urine tests are more sensitive but many are affected 

by conditions other than CKD and also by sample 

handling. Urine specific gravity is a sensitive test of 

loss of urine concentrating ability but is dependent on 

many variables, including the hydration status of the 

patient and other constituents in the urine (e.g. blood). 

A more widely used moderately sensitive urine test is 

the measurement of the urine protein:creatinine ratio. If 

this is > 0.4 in dogs and > 0.2 in cats there is a strong 

suggestion that the animal may be developing CKD. 

Likewise animals with persistent albuminuria 

should also be monitored for progression to CKD. 

There is an automated method for measuring albumin 

in urine but it is not widely used and the available 

dipsticks for canine and feline microalbumin are 

expensive and no longer widely used in practice. The 

most sensitive and specific method available is the 

measurement of changes in GFR (glomerular filtration 

rate) by clearance of endogenous or exogenous 

creatinine or iohexol. 

However, these are expensive, time-consuming 

methods which involve numerous timed blood and 

urine sample collections. In human medicine, 

measurement of endogenous cystatin C in plasma 

(Left) Cambridge Resident Paola Monti who worked on the PetSavers and RCVS Trust funded project and (right) Dr Joy Arthur

and/or urine is a preferred method. Measurement of 

cystatin C in the plasma of dogs has been validated by 

several veterinary laboratories but is not currently 

widely used. Measurement of urinary cystatin C has 

recently been validated in our laboratory, and 

cystatin C:creatinine ratios generated. These have 

been shown to distinguish between dogs with no 

kidney disease and dogs with CKD. 

Funding and the future 

This work was carried out with the help of a PetSavers 

research grant and a residency scholarship from 

RCVS trust to Paola Monti. This work was presented at 

ECVIM–CA in 2011, and will be published in the 

Journal of Small Animal Practice*. 

Work is now continuing on measuring microalbumin 

and cystatin C in urine from dogs with CKD, dogs with 

no obvious disease and dogs with other (non-kidney) 

diseases. When this stage of the work is completed we 

would like to set up a prospective trial and follow the 

progression of CKD, and the effects of treatments in a 

group of dogs over a longer period. 

We are also setting up similar studies with cats, 

and have been able to confirm that special 

non-absorbent litter which can be used for urine 

collection from cats does not interfere with these tests. 

In this way it is hoped to provide non invasive urine 

tests for both dogs and cats with early CKD. 

We are also investigating other biomarkers for 

glomerular and tubular injury by the use of ELISA 

methods. Unfortunately many available test kits were 

developed for human samples using monoclonal 

antibodies, and this causes many technical difficulties 

when they are used for cats and dogs. Many of the 

biomarker peptides are also unstable in urine so we are 

evaluating best methods for collection and storage of 

samples. The next step will be a longitudinal study. We 

hope to recruit dogs and cats with CKD that can donate 

urine at regular intervals over a 1–2 year period. ■ 

Please visit www.petsavers.org.uk for more 

information on PetSavers grants and how you can 

help support studies such as Joy’s. 

*Editor’s note: Readers are directed to this paper which has just been 

published online by the JSAP. 

BSAVA ON CKD 

The Manual of Canine and Feline 

Nephrology and Urology has a chapter 

on the management of chronic kidney 

disease by Scott A. Brown. 

For details or to order the manual visit 

www.bsava.com or call 01452 726700. 

A fruitful 

Congress 

PetSavers owes a huge thanks to Congress 

delegates and exhibitors who helped raise 

funds for the charity during the event 

As the gateway stand to the BSAVA Balcony, PetSavers gets to 

meet delegates from all areas of the profession. Which is 

perfect for this ambitious charity, which knows that the support of 

vets, VNs and practice managers is vital if it wants to continue to 

achieve its aims. 

PetSavers’ relationship with the profession is very much two-way. On the 

one hand, appealing for donations and financial support – and on the other, 

the Charity provides funding for vital veterinary research – as well as offering 

a range of products and resources for use in the Practice. So there was 

plenty to talk about with the 7000+ crowd at Congress. 

There was a lot going on off the stand too – with two gala events offering 

more fundraising opportunities. 

On Thursday night the popular Petplan awards took place, where guests 

generously donated more than £1200 to PetSavers. 

The winners of the awards were Zaila Dunbar, Queens Park Veterinary 

Clinic (Vet of the Year), Lucy Kells, Wildlife Aid Foundation (Vet Nurse of the 

Year) and Eastcott Veterinary Hospital (Vet Practice of the Year). The 

PetSavers Achievement Award was presented to Barnfield Vets. 

Then on Friday the guests at the Banquet had the opportunity to support 

PetSavers and win a piece of art. The Banquet raffle has raised many 

thousands over the years, thanks to the continued support of Castle Fine Art 

Gallery in the ICC who donate a picture. This year it raised nearly £4000, 

and the winner of the artwork was BEVA President, Ben Mayes. 

PetSavers would like to thank all those who took the time to visit the 

stand at Congress and for all the generous donations it received. ■ 

companion | 27

Volunteer task force 

helps stranded animals 

Vets pulled together to help 

stranded stranded and injured 

animals during floods 

in Bangkok last last year 


Following severe flooding in Bangkok, Thailand, 

between September and December last year, 

500 vets formed a volunteer task force to help 

stranded and injured animals and their owners. 

Working together, they operated rescue missions on 

foot, by boat and by military truck, caring for animals 

taken into shelters and running free vet clinics to treat 

affected pets, livestock and wildlife. They also 

delivered ‘survival bags’, containing pet food, poop 

bags, collars and other basic equipment to help 

owners forced out of their homes and into shelters to 

care for their animals. 

Inspired by their response, WSAVA Executive 

Board member Siraya Chunekamrai commented: 

“Many of the vets involved in the task had themselves 

been flooded out. They worked so well together, taking 

turns to sort out their homes and practices before 

coming back to the front line. They came from all six 

vet schools in the country, the Veterinary Practitioner 

Association of Thailand (VPAT) and the Department of 

Livestock Development. They worked long hours for 

three months to deal with the immediate aftermath. It 

was wonderful to see how they came to the rescue of 

so many animals and helped each other through 

difficult times.” 

Dr Kaywalee Chatdarong, VPAT President and task 

force member, acknowledged VPAT’s partners, 

including Pfizer, Hill’s, Virbac, Bayer, Novartis, Royal 

Canin, CP and DKSH which donated 30,000 kg of pet 

food, medicine, veterinary supplies and equipment. n

A busy World 

Congress 

During WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA World 

Congress, the WSAVA’s Executive Board and 

its key committees met to drive forward 

initiatives in areas including: the development 

of global CE programmes; the creation of tools to 

enable common approaches and standards of care; 

and promoting the importance of veterinary medicine 

within the global matrix of One Health. More news will 

follow in future issues. 

Prior to Congress, incoming WSAVA President, 

Dr Peter Ihrke, Professor of Dermatology at the 

University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, 

commented: “The global ‘connectivity’ offered by 

the WSAVA gives us a great base from which to 

improve companion care around the world. We’re 

looking forward to meeting our global colleagues at 

World Congress and continuing our important work to 

drive the profession forward and to strengthen the 

human/animal bond.” 

An umbrella organisation focused on enhancing the 

clinical care of companion animals around the world, 

the WSAVA represents 180,000 veterinarians globally 

through 92 member associations, including the BSAVA. 

It is expanding rapidly, having welcomed 13 new 

member associations during 2011. These included The 

American Veterinary Medical Association, The 

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, The Society 

of Japanese Companion Animal Practitioners and The 

Japanese Board of Veterinary Practitioners. The 

additional new members combined to double the 

number of companion animal veterinary surgeons 

represented by WSAVA globally last year and the total 

is likely to rise still further during 2012 as other 

organisations are in discussions about joining. n 

FuTure WorLD CongreSS DaTeS 

n■ 3–9 March 2013 – Auckland, New Zealand 

n■ 15–19 September 2014 – Cape Town, 

South Africa 

n■ 2015 (dates to be confirmed) – Bangkok, Thailand 

For more information on the WSAVA, visit www.wsava.org. 

Latest WSAVA/ 

NSAVA CE 

events prove 

popular in Cuba 

The WSAVA recently completed the latest in 

a series of CE events which have been 

taking place in Cuba since 2003 and 

which are run jointly with the Norwegian 

Small Animal Veterinary Association (NSAVA). 

The topic for November 2011 was Ethology 

and the speaker was Kristin Vear Prestrud DVM 

PhD, Scientific director of the Norwegian Kennel 

Club. Seminars took place in the Cuban cities of 

Pinar del Rio and Havana during November 2011, 

attended by more than 500 enthusiastic 

delegates. n 

Left to right: Tech 

Milagros Morejón, 

Tech Leonardo 

Somonte, Tech 

Miriam Peña, 

Dr Kristin Vear 

Prestrud (lecturer), 

Tech Mariolys Pérez 

and Dr Caridad 

Fernández. 

companion | 29

the companion interview 

© The Donkey Sanctuary 


Andrew 

Trawford 

BVSc MRCVS MSc 

Andrew Trawford was born in Stafford in 1944, and educated at King Edward VI 

Grammar School. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother worked for 

the Department of Social Services. He has one sister, who he says is too bright for 

her own good. He graduated from Liverpool University in 1969 and went into 

general practice in Lancashire. Andrew then spent time overseas, in Jamaica and 

Canada, returning to England in 1979 for two years, where his initial contact as a 

veterinary surgeon with The Donkey Sanctuary began. Another spell overseas 

followed – this time in East Malaysia, and the Yemen Arab Republic – before settling 

back in the UK in 1994 to work with The Donkey Sanctuary. He continues to travel 

overseas with the continually expanding international department, assessing and 

developing the veterinary care provided for donkeys. Andrew is also a trustee of the 

British Veterinary Association’s Animal Welfare Foundation. He is currently the 

Director of Veterinary Services for The Donkey Sanctuary 

QHow did you find your way into 

a career working in donkey 

welfare? 

AHaving seen my uncle’s vet 

practice in Spalding, Lincolnshire, 

and watching him working with cats 

and dogs through the eyes of an inquisitive 

eight-year-old boy, a veterinary career 

called and I became motivated to improve 

on the methods then used for dog 

euthanasia (strychnine) and cat 

anaesthesia (Heinz baked bean can 

used as mask for induction of ether). This 

quest for improving veterinary techniques 

took me to Jamaica as manager of an 

SPCA hospital dealing mainly with dogs 

and cats. The window from my small 

animal operating theatre looked out on a 

very busy main road leading from Kingston 

to Spanish Town, where hundreds of 

donkeys would carry huge loads of cut 

grass or other produce (bananas, 

oranges, charcoal, etc.) into the city. 

Many of these poor creatures were 

severely lame or traumatised by 

inadequate harness equipment and 

overloading. I set about including these 

animals in my daily routine of treatments, 

much to the amazement of the twenty 

staff employed there. 

What do you consider to be your 

most important achievement during 

your career? 

A toss-up between the publication of my 

first research paper on the treatment of

lungworm in donkeys and my continuing 

use of veterinary/medical knowledge to 

help sick or injured animals globally. 

What has been your main interest 

outside work? 

I am a keen gardener, using my 

polytunnel to try and recreate the 

tropical atmosphere that has been so 

much a part of my life. I have also 

developed a growing interest in 

ornithology in recent years. 

When and where were you happiest? 

Jamaica; my first years in this exotic 

and exuberant island were like 

paradise. I took a piece of Jamaica 

(my wife) with me me when I left the 

island after nine years, but but it will will 

always be be my second home. 

Andrew Trawford 

and Scoobie at SHF 

© The Donkey Sanctuary 

Who has been the most inspiring 

influence on your professional career? 

In my early life my father’s encouragement 

and ‘can do’ attitude, combined with his 

huge interest in animal welfare, supported 

my ambition to enter the profession. After 

qualification, the dynamic personality of 

Professor Aline Aluja, Emeritus Professor at 

the Veterinary Faculty in Mexico City, 

focused my career strategy. 

What is the most significant lesson you 

have learned so far in life? 

Never say can’t – try, try and try 

again 

What is the most frustrating 

aspect of your work? 

Writing reports and dealing with 

administrative issues. 

…my father’s encouragement 

and ‘can do’ attitude, combined 

with his huge interest in animal 

welfare, supported my ambition 

to enter the profession… 

What do you regard as the most 

important decision that you have made 

in your life? 

To leave practice and work for animal 

charities internationally. 

If you were given unlimited political 

power, what would you do with it? 

Bring in draconian measures to improve 

the transport and slaughter of animals. 

Which historical or literary figure do you 

most identify with – and why? 

Charles Darwin. At a very early age I read 

“The Voyage of the Beagle” and was not 

only motivated to travel the world but also 

to develop an obsession with both 

domestic and wild animals, to observe 

them in their working environment or 

natural state. 

If you could change one thing about 

yourself, what would it be? 

Bigger biceps! 

What is your most important possession? 

I am not a materialistic person, so my 

family and pets will always be more 

important than any object. However, I do 

have a rather magnificent picture of a 

racehorse that I rescued from my 

grandfather’s coal cellar. He had asked me 

to chop it for fire wood during a lunch 

break from school. 

What would you have done if you hadn’t 

been a vet? 

After three years of vet school and hardly 

seeing or touching any live animal, and 

having more than a passing interest in 

medicine, I decided to attend many of the 

fourth year lectures at medical school. 

Given a better economic background 

I might have taken a medical degree and 

specialised in psychiatry. ■ 

companion | 31

Ophthalmology for 

nurses in practice 

28 June 

Essentials of ophthalmic anatomy, 

physiology, pharmacology and 

theatre practice 

SPEAKER 

John Mould 

VENUE 

BSAVA Headquarters, Gloucester 

FEES 

BSAVA Nurse Member: £167.00 

Non BSAVA Member: £250.00 

Anaesthesia 

and analgesia 

Vet Nurse Merit Award 

7 Sep–28 Nov 

Improve your skills and 

raise your confidence 

Led by Derek Flaherty and Adam Auckburally 

VENUE 

Theory Days: Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport 

Practical Day: Glasgow Vet School 

FEES 

BSAVA Nurse Member: 

£480.00 

Non BSAVA Member: 

£720.00 

For more information or to book your course 

www.bsava.com 

All prices are inclusive of VAT. Stock photography: Dreamstime.com. © Adogslifephoto; © Isselee; © Julija Sapic; © Wavebreakmedia Ltd 

Rehabilitation and 

physiotherapy 

Vet Nurse Merit Award 

7 Sep–26 Nov 

Structured programme to 

help develop your career 

Led by Lowri Davies 

VENUE 

Smart Clinic, Cardiff 

FEES 

BSAVA Nurse Member: 

£480.00 


£720.00 

BSAVA dispensing 

course 

27 September 

This course meets the RCVS Practice 

Standards veterinary hospital pharmacy 

course requirements. 

SPEAKERS 

P. Sketchley, S. Dean, F. Nind, J. Hird, 

P. Mosedale, M. Jessop 

VENUE 

De Vere, Daresbury Park Village 

FEES 

BSAVA Member: 

£232.00 


£348.00

Focus on... 

BSAVA East 

Anglia Region 

Weekend meetings to remember 

The BSAVA East Anglia weekend meeting 

for 2011 was a combined theory and 

practical meeting devoted to dentistry. 

The meeting, in November at the Animal 

Health Trust in Newmarket, was a real 

success, kindly sponsored by Pfizer and 

Finn Pathologists. 

Saturday’s programme consisted 

entirely of lectures on various aspects of 

small animal dentistry as well as oral 

pathology. The speakers were Lisa 

Milella (The Veterinary Dental Surgery, 

Surrey), Gerhard Putter (Mulberry Court 

Veterinary Surgery, Suffolk), and Annalize 

Ide (Finn Pathologists), all members of the 

British Veterinary Dental Association 

(www.bvda.co.uk). 

A visit to the Horse Racing Museum in 

Newmarket in the afternoon was a popular 

trip, and followed by a superb dinner at the 

Rutland Arms Hotel, where some delegates 

also stayed. 

Sunday brought the more physically 

taxing day of practicals, where delegates 

were split into four groups, rotating 

between workstations covering 

periodontal disease, extractions, etc. 

Along with Gerhard and Lisa, on hand 

to help were Jose Carlos Almansa Ruiz, 

a veterinary dentist, and John Robinson, 

a human dentist now working entirely in 

veterinary dentistry. 

The extractions in particular called for 

considerable expenditure of energy by 

delegates, who showed great determination 

in conquering the extraction of reluctant 

canine teeth (some even giving up coffee 

breaks in order to achieve their aims!). All 

delegates left with aching arms. 

Numbers were limited to 20 delegates 

to allow small, workable groups in the 

practicals. The meeting overall seemed a 

success and received positive feedback. 

The speakers were excellent, the venue 

worked brilliantly, and the delegates a 

delight to be with. One disappointment, 

however, was the absence of the 

promised dental X-ray unit (due to a 

misunderstanding from the company 

lending the equipment). Many thanks to 

speakers, sponsors, and all who helped 

with the meeting – and especially to 

the delegates. 

Medical and surgical 

emergencies weekend 

Following on from last year’s dentistry 

success comes our 2012 weekend 

dedicated to emergency care. The event 

will take place on 29–30 September and 

our speakers are the excellent Dan 

Brockman and Kate Murphy. We hope to 

see you at The Cambridge Belfry for a few 

days of practical and inspiring CPD. 

Prices: 

BSAVA Members: £260 

(Overnight accommodation and 3 course meal 

at venue for £50) 

Non-members: £500 

(Overnight accommodation and 3 course meal 

at venue for £100) 

Visit www.bsava.com for further 

information or email eastanglia.region@ 

bsava.com. ■ 

Upcoming Courses in 2012 

MAY – Sunday 13 

Breeding for the future: 

reproductive management 

and genetics 

■ Angelika von Heimendahl, Sarah Blott , 

Cathryn Mellersh, Eleanor Raff an and 

Jeff Sampson 

AUGUST – Sunday 12 

Backyard poultry: problems 

and solutions 

■ Victoria Roberts 

WHO’S WHO ON EAST ANGLIA 

COMMITTEE 

BSAVA East Anglia region is always keen to 

hear what you want in your region so 

please let us know. Email eastanglia.region@ 

bsava.com with your suggesti ons on topics 

and speakers – and to fi nd out about getti ng 

involved and helping to design the delivery of 

CPD in your area. 

■ Chair: Sheldon Middleton 

■ Secretary: Nick Bexfi eld 

■ Treasurer: Pascale Collins 

■ Jane Coatesworth 

■ Fiona Smith 

■ Simone Knudsen 

■ Eleanor Raff an 

■ Farah Malik 

■ James Warland 

■ Stephanie Jayson 

FEEDBACK ON RECENT NEUROLOGY 

MEETING HELD AT CAMBRIDGE BELFRY 

IN FEBRUARY 

■ “Excellent use of video footage to 

illustrate points” 

■ “Very useful and interesti ng course” 

■ “Great videos, managed to use the 

informati on 3 ti mes last week as a result 

of CPD” 

■ “Mark Lowrie gave a very good 

day’s CPD” 

■ “vvv good course, learnt a lot” 

SEPTEMBER – Saturday 29–Sunday 30 

Medical and surgical emergencies 

■ Dan Brockman and Kate Murphy 

NOVEMBER – Sunday 11 

What’s new in oncology 

■ Gerry Polton 

Please visit www.bsava.com for further 

informati on on prices and course content 

companion | 33

CPD diary 

Day Meeting 

thursday 3 May 

the acute abdomen case: 

making the right call 

Speakers: Elizabeth Welsh and Yvonne McGrotty 

Ramside Hall, Durham DH1 1TD 

Details from administration@bsava.com 

Day Meeting – 

Southern region 


Ferocious felines and 

confrontational canines: 

unravelling the reasons and 

offering practical approaches 

Speaker: Sarah Heath 

Swindon Holiday Inn, Marlborough Rd, 

Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 6AQ 

Details from southernregion@bsava.com 

evening Meeting – 

South WeSt region 


raised liver enzymes: what should 

i do now? 

Speaker: Jill Maddison 

Exeter Hotel, Kennford, Exeter, Devon EX6 7UX 

Details from southwestregion@bsava.com 


eaSt anglia region 

Sunday 13 May 

Breeding for the future: 

reproductive management 

and genetics 

Speakers: Angelika von Heimendahl, 

Sarah Blott, Cathryn Mellersh, Eleanor Raffan 

and Jeff Sampson 

Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk 

Details from eastanglia.region@bsava.com 



Monday 14 May 

Dealing with difficult dogs in the 

practice environment 

Speaker: Martin Pashley 

Gipsy Hill Hotel, Pinhoe, Exeter, Devon EX1 3RN 



Metropolitan region 

tuesday 15 May 

Soft tissue surgery for the general 

practitioner: beyond the bitch spay 

Speakers: Zoe Halfacree and Mickey Tivers 

Holiday Inn, Barnet Bypass, 

Borehamwood WD6 5PU 

Details from metropolitanregion@bsava.com 



South WaleS region 

Wednesday 16 May 

itchy cats and dogs 

Speaker: Natalie Barnard 

Shepherds Veterinary Hospital, 

Bridgend CF31 2BF 

Details from southwalesregion@bsava.com 

evening Meeting – Kent region 


the paralysed and weak cat 

Speaker: Laurent Garosi 

Best Western Russell Hotel, 136 Boxley Road, 

Maidstone ME14 2AE 

Details from kentregion@bsava.com 


MiDlanD region 


is there an explosion in colonic 

diarrhoea? 

Speaker: David Murdoch 

Wolverhampton Medical Institute, 

New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, 

West Midlands WV10 0QP 

Details from midlandregion@bsava.com 

evening WeBinar 


20:00–21:00 

the acute abdomen case: 

making the right call webinar 

Speaker: Elizabeth Welsh 

Online 


WeeKenD Meeting – 

northern irelanD region 

Friday 25 and Saturday 26 May 

BSava northern ireland 

Conference 2012 

endocrinology 

Speakers: 

Mike Herrtage, Ian Ramsey, 

Carmel Mooney 

and Barbara 

Gallagher 

A practical programme designed to refresh 

your knowledge of the basics of endocrinology 

and to develop your understanding of a range 

of complex conditions, allowing you to return to 

your practice with new skills and techniques to 

implement right away. We all see endocrinology 

cases every single week, so there has seldom 

been a more relevant topic for intensive study. 

Radisson Roe Hotel, Limavady, Northern Ireland 

Details from nirelandregion@bsava.com 

Day Meeting 

Day Meeting 

June 2012 

aFternoon Meeting – 

SCottiSh region 

thursday 7 June 

emergency and critical care: 

my patient is bleeding, 

what do i do next? 

Speaker: Andy Brown 

Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness 

Details from scottishregion@bsava.com 

tuesday 12 June 

imaging beyond the radiograph 

Speaker: Paul Mahoney 

Marston Farm Hotel, Sutton Coldfield 



north WeSt region 

Wednesday 13 June 

Simple repairs 

Speaker: Turlough O’Neil 

Venue TBC (Warrington) 

Details from northwestregion@bsava.com 


physiotherapy management of the 

arthritic patient 

Speaker: Brian Sharp 

Venue: Dogs Trust, Haresfield 

Details from: administration@bsava.com 



avoiding complications in 

orthopaedic surgery with 

particular emphasis on 

cruciate disease 

Speaker: Andrew Wills 





Surrey anD SuSSex region 


attack of the acronyms: a tour de 

force of autoimmune disease 

Speaker: Nat Whitley 

The Leatherhead Golf Club (Park Room), 

Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0EE 

Details from surreyandsussexregion@bsava.com



Monday 18 June 

Spinal disease in dogs: 

myths and misconceptions 

Speaker: Noel Fitzpatrick 

Charter Veterinary Hospital, Charter Court, 

Roundswell, Barnstable, North Devon EX31 3FG 




tuesday 19 June 

recent advances in cancer 

management for first opinion 

veterinarians 

Speaker: Zoe Belshaw 

Yew Lodge Hotel, 33 Packington Hill, 

Kegworth, Derby DE74 2DF 


Day/evening Meeting – 

Metropolitan region 

Wednesday 20 June (2–9pm) 

Fracture fixation: new concepts 

and new techniques 

Speaker: Mike Hamilton 

Richmond Gate Hotel, Richmond Hill, 

Richmond upon Thames, Surrey TW10 6RP 

Details from metropolitanregion@bsava.com 


north eaSt region 

Wednesday 20 June 

Canine dentistry 

Speaker: Bob Partridge 

IDEXX Laboratories Wetherby, 

Grange House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby, 

West Yorkshire LS22 7DN 

Details from northeastregion@bsava.com 

Day Meeting 


pet loss support in veterinary 

practice 

Speaker: Julia Dando 

BSAVA Headquarters Woodrow House, 

Gloucester GL2 2AB 



Monday 25 June 

20:00–21:00 

imaging beyond the 

radiograph webinar 

Speaker: Paul Mahoney 

Online 


Day Meeting For nurSeS 


ophthalmology for nurses 

Speaker: John Mould 





Wednesday 4 July 

20:00–21:00 

rehabilitation and 

physiotherapy webinar 

Speaker: Brian Sharp 

Online 




Wednesday 18 July 

gastrointestinal surgery: 

principles and pitfalls 

Speaker: Ronan Doyle 






eaSt anglia region 

Sunday 12 august 

Backyard poultry: problems and 

solutions 

Speaker: Victoria Roberts 

The Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne, 

Cambridge CB23 6BW 

Details from eastanglia.region@bsava.com 

Day Meeting 

July 2012 

august 2012 

WeeKenD Meeting – 

SCottiSh region 

31 august – 2 September 

Main lecture speakers: Neil Geddes, 

Marge Chandler, John Ferguson and 

C. Louise McLean 

Edinburgh Conference Centre, 

Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh 

Details from scottishregion@bsava.com 

or by visiting www.bsava.com 

September 2012 

tuesday 4 September 

Surgery of the stifle: modern 

thinking on classic problems 

Speaker: Rob Rayward 




Day Meeting For nurSeS 


Dermatology for nurses 

Speaker: Natalie Barnard 







50 things i wish someone had told 

me about soft tissue surgery 

BeFore i attempted it 

Speaker: Ed Friend 

Best Western Lord Haldon Hotel, Dunchideock, 

Exeter, Devon EX6 7YF 


Day Meeting 

Wednesday 12 September 

Canine infectious diseases: when 

a prompt diagnosis can make all 

the difference 

Speaker: Patricia Ibarrola 






ophthalmology 

Speaker: Karen Caswell 







recent advances in the 

management of infectious 

diseases 

Speaker: Susan Dawson 





Other upcOming BSAVA cpD cOurSeS 

See www.bsava.com for further details 

■■ Northern Ireland Region 

Thursday 13 September 

Dermatology 

■■ Metropolitan Region 

Saturday 15 September 

Genitourinary surgery 

■■ Surrey and Sussex Region 

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September 

Dentistry: focusing on extractions and 

radiography 

■■ BSAVA Education 

Tuesday 18 September 2012 

Advanced reptile medicine: approach to 

the sick herp 

■■ Surrey and Sussex Region 


Backyard poultry 

companion | 35

NEW Manuals 

From BSAVA Publications 

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline 

Endocrinology, 4th edition 

Edited by Carmel Mooney and Mark Peterson 

Over recent years several endocrine disorders, such as feline acromegaly 

and hyperaldosteronism, have become of greater importance and a range 

of new therapies have emerged that are now considered routine. This new 

edition has been comprehensively updated, while retaining the emphasis 

on the common problems encountered in investigating and 

treating endocrine diseases. 

■ Hormone assays and collection of samples 

■ Principles of interpreting endocrine test results 

■ Endocrine glands and their diseases 

■ Presenting complaints and their investigation 

Published April 2012 304 pages 

Member price £49 

Price to non-members £80 

For more information or to 

order visit www.bsava.com, 

email administration@bsava.com 

or call 01452 726700. 

Order online to save on 

Postage & Packing 

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline 

Dermatology, 3rd edition 

Edited by Hilary Jackson and Rosanna Marsella 

Dermatological complaints account for a large proportion of consultations 

and there have been rapid advances in our understanding of 

long-described diseases. This new edition will provide a ready source of 

practical information for veterinary surgeons, veterinary students, nurses 

and technicians, plus those working toward specialist 

qualifi cations in veterinary dermatology. 

■ Examination and investigative techniques 

■ Common conditions encountered in practice 

■ Major skin diseases caused by bacteria, yeast, 

fungi and parasites 

■ Problem-oriented approach 

Published April 2012 296 pages 

Member price £55 

Price to non-members £89 

British Small Animal Veterinary Association 

Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park, 

Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AB 

Tel: 01452 726700 Fax: 01452 726701 

Email: administration@bsava.com 

Web: www.bsava.com

Companion May 2012 - BSAVA

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