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Vets warned over rise in feline cowpox cases
Vet with ungloved hand near lesion
"In every photo I've been sent of cats with lesions, not one of the vets has been wearing gloves and that really does worry me." (photo courtesy of
Danièlle Gunn-Moore)
Gloves should be worn to protect against zoonosis, professor warns

Veterinary surgeons are being urged to protect themselves after a reported rise in the number of feline cowpox cases across the UK.
 
At a meeting of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) in Bristol last month, several clinicians noted the atypical severity of of skin lesions in a number of cases seen across the UK this year.
 
Cowpox cases generally peak in autumn when there are the greatest number of reservoir hosts, which include bank voles, field voles and wood mice. It most commonly enters the skin through a bite wound from an infected rodent.

Prof Gunn-Moore is concerned that veterinary surgeons could be putting themselves at risk of becoming infected.
Generally cats present with a small ulcerated skin lesion, followed by a rash of further lesions that spontaneously resolve. However, cases now appear to be presenting with large areas of focal dermal necrosis and/or extensive erythema and oedema.
 
Danièlle Gunn-Moore, a professor of feline medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said PCR testing of the hard necrotic material also suggests the areas are highly infectious.
 
Prof Gunn-Moore is concerned that veterinary surgeons could be putting themselves at risk of becoming infected.

pox lesions
Cases now appear to be presenting with large areas of focal dermal necrosis and/or extensive erythema and oedema. (photo courtesy of Julia Henken)
"In every photo I've been sent of cats with lesions, not one of the vets has been wearing gloves and that really does worry me."
 
For those that are not immunosuppressed it may only cause pockmarks which will scar, she said, but for those who are asthmatic, atopic, have eczema or are immune compromised, infection could cause serious illness and even prove fatal.
 
Professor Gunn-Moore is advising vets to wear gloves during the autumn when treating cats, especially those with skin lesions. If there is any wetness and/or coughing in addition to the lesions, a mask should also be worn.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

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

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

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

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

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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

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

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

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