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Link between Alabama rot and amphibian disease
Researchers believe there are certain ‘hotspots’ for the disease and all affected dogs were walked on a similar type of terrain.
Fish vet continues to explore possible cause of CRGV

Ongoing research suggests there could be a link between Alabama rot in dogs and the amphibian disease red leg syndrome.

Fish vet Dr Fiona Macdonald is investigating the environmental organism, Aeromonas hydrophila, which has been identified as a possible cause of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) - also known as Alabama rot.

Nearly 80 dogs have now taken part in the research, of which a significant number have shown an immune response to the organism. Forty eight dogs showed titres of agglutinating activity at least four times the control, which was considered significant.

Of these, 25 had shown skin lesions when first presented at a veterinary practice, while a further four had been in close contact with an affected dog.

A hydrophila was isolated from swabs taken from lesions in five cases, while a number of dogs suspected of having the disease (but were treated successfully) had an immune response to the pathogen.

Some dogs that died from the disease do not appear to have had antibodies to the organism in the blood, but it can take two to three weeks for an immune response to mount.

A hydrophila is implicated in a ranavirus in the major amphibian disease, red leg syndrome, which is thought to have been introduced to the UK at least twice since the 1980s, most likely from North America. First found in the south of England, it has since spread across the UK, being found in Cornwall, Cardiff, Lancashire and Newcastle.

Researchers believe there are certain ‘hotspots’ for the disease and all affected dogs were walked on a similar type of terrain. None of the cases were in urban dogs - even those confirmed in London had been walked on Wimbledon Common or Hampstead Heath, where there is a combination of open water/streams and possibly disturbed muddy ground.

Future research will focus on CRGV hotspots to find out if A hydrophila can be recovered from water courses and explore the possible presence and effects of ranavirus/iridovirus on dogs’ skin.

Researchers will also widen the scope of antibody testing to include dogs walked in areas with no recorded cases, including urban dogs, using more sophisticated techniques to find the organism in lesions. 

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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.