Bacteria transplants could help canine gut disease, study finds

The event will explore the rise antimicrobial resistance.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has announced the theme for its 2025 Congress will be ‘Use it wisely or lose it forever’.

Under the theme, the event will highlight the rise of antimicrobial resistance and underscore the importance of veterinary professionals in preserving the effectiveness of the availability of drugs in this class.

BEVA Congress takes place over three days in September (10-13) at the ICC Birmingham. Antimicrobial themes will run through the general medicine and foal sessions, and there will be a session dedicated to antimicrobial stewardship. 

BEVA president Bruce Bladon said: “Resistance to antibiotics is already a serious public health threat. My presidential ambition this year has been to demonstrate that equine practice, as a united sector, is responsible and proportionate with our usage of antimicrobials. 

“The theme ‘use it wisely or lose it forever’ is borne of the need to deploy our knowledge and fine judgement when prescribing antimicrobials, aware that our right to prescribe is not inviolate. We may yet lose access to these precious drugs.”

This year’s Congress programme, chaired by Rose Tallon, promises the ‘perfect mix of expertise, enlightening practical sessions and outstanding socials’. 

It will include more than 90 hours of live and on-demand CPD, delivered via presentations, interactive discussions, debates and workshops, culminating in the Peter Rossdale Plenary Lecture, delivered by Professor Scott Weese. 

For more information and to book tickets, visit bevacongress.org

Image (C) BEVA.

Research highlights the importance of diet, environment and dental checks.

There is no significant link between rabbit ear type or head shape and an increased risk of dental disease, according to new research.

The study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), funded in part by the Animal Welfare Foundation, concluded that diet, environment and regular dental checks might be more important in the development of dental problems. 

Maria Jackson, research assistant in rabbit health and welfare, veterinary nurse, and lead author on the paper said: “Our findings add to the evidence that suggests lop ears and a brachycephalic head shape are less important in the development of dental issues in rabbits than was once thought. It’s clear that all rabbits, not just those with a non-wild conformation, can be affected by dental problems”.

In the study, researchers assessed tooth and mouth health of some 435 volunteered pedigree rabbits from 49 different breeds. Using an otoscope, the team recorded ear type, head shape, body size, age and sex.

They found that many of the rabbits had no obvious dental issues, with 62 per cent having no incisor abnormalities and 55 per cent experience no issues with cheek teeth. Lop-eared rabbits were not more likely to have dental issues, but were, however, four times more likely to have watery eyes, which could be liked to other health issues.

The study did find that longer-faced rabbits were slightly more likely (1.39 times) to have a specific dental issue known as “step or wave mouth”, and that male rabbits were two times more likely to have an incisor abnormality. 

Researchers say their findings show the importance of vets, owners and breeders in undertaking routine dental checks and providing a nutritional diet.

Dr Jackson said: “The importance of feeding good-quality hay or grass and supplementing the diet with extruded pellets, not muesli, cannot be overstated, as diet may well be more important than conformation in the development of dental disease. Likewise, providing regular veterinary dental check-ups to rabbits is crucial to facilitate early dental disease detection and give case-specific dietary and treatment recommendations to slow disease progression and support the welfare of rabbits.”

Dr Charlotte Burn, associate professor in animal welfare and behaviour science at the RVC and co-author of the paper, added: “This research suggests that while rabbit conformation should not be entirely disregarded, it may not be as critical a factor for dental disease as previously thought. Encouragingly, this empowers rabbit owners and breeders to take proactive steps in promoting dental health through appropriate nutrition and husbandry, regardless of a rabbit’s breed or appearance.”

Image (C) Royal Veterinary College.

The awards recognise exceptional contributions to animal welfare.

Nominations are open for the 2025 WSAVA Awards celebrating veterinary professionals who are driving positive change for companion animals and their owners.

The prestigious awards recognise professionals from all backgrounds, generations and regions, with nominees invited in the following categories: 

The WSAVA International Award for Scientific Achievement - for outstanding contributions by a veterinarian who has had a significant impact on the advancement of knowledge concerning the cause, detection, cure and/or control of disorders of companion animals.

The WSAVA Global Meritorious Service Award - for a veterinarian who in the opinion of the judges has contributed meritorious service to the global veterinary profession in the broadest sense, which may be as a general practitioner, an academic veterinary surgeon, or a veterinarian working in management or for a company.

The WSAVA Companion Animal Welfare Award - for a veterinarian (or veterinary-team member) in recognition of that individual’s contribution to companion animal welfare at a local regional or international level. 

The WSAVA Future Leaders award - a veterinarian who graduated within the last ten years, who has contributed significantly to the betterment of companion animals, the veterinary profession and society at large.

The WSAVA Global One Health Award - for exemplary service by an individual or organisation, who has promoted the global One Health Concept, and, in particular, has highlighted an aspect of small companion animal relevance to the One Health Agenda.

Recipients of the awards will achieve free registration to the receive free registration for WSAVA World Congress, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from September 25-27. They also receive support with travel and accommodation.

Information about the nomination process can be found on the WSAVA website, along with nomination forms. The closing date for nominations is May 1, 2025.

Image © Shutterstock

Owners are being urged to avoid the plant this Mother’s Day.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching (30 March), cat owners are being reminded about the dangers of lilies and to contact their vet if they suspect their cat has been in contact with the flowers.

The reminder from national feline charity, Cats Protection, comes after one of its regional volunteers said she was not aware of the risks associated with the flower before joining the charity.

Lynne Meredith was sent a bouquet by a friend which had included lilies, but it wasn’t until her cat, Malakai, pulled the vase over and became covered in pollen that she became aware of the harm the flowers could potentially cause. 

She said: “He was startled from pulling the vase over and getting covered in water and pollen so he came running to me. I quickly googled what I could use to get the pollen off him because it’s so hard to get off most surfaces and to my horror found it was toxic to cats. 

“I quickly took a picture to show the vet and wasted no time in putting him in the sink and washing him thoroughly. I found his buster collar from when he was neutered and put it on him to stop him grooming, then phoned the vet for advice.”

Thankfully Malakai had not consumed any of the pollen, nor had he eaten any other part of the plant. However, the vet advised her to closely observe and take him to the clinic immediately if she spotted any unusual behaviour or symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting.

In light of the incident, Lynne is now spreading the word about lilies to ensure that no more cats come to any harm from the flowers.

Lynne adds: “I’ve told all my friends with cats to make sure they never have lilies in the house or garden and cannot believe flower companies aren’t required to ask whether bouquets are being sent to a household with cats during checkout. Something so simple would prevent cats from unnecessary danger, suffering and even death.”

While lilies are one of the most toxic plants to cats, cat owners should also be on high alert for tulips, daffodils, iris and peonies. All of these flowers can be poisonous to cats if eaten, with signs including salivation, vomiting diarrhoea, fitting and breathing difficulties.

Some examples of non cat-friendly indoor plants include cheese plants, aloe vera and dumb cane. A full list of cat-safe and unsafe plants is available on the Cats Protection website.

Image (C) Cats Protection.

Temperature fluctuations are making hatching difficult to predict, says SCOPS.

Vets and farmers are once again being advised to make use of the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Group forecast tool to identify when lambs might be susceptible to nematodirus.

Independent sheep consultant Nerys Wright says: “The SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast is an essential tool due to the role of temperature on the larvae of this worm species. This year in particular we have seen some significant fluctuations in temperatures, making the time of hatching difficult to predict without the forecast. 

“Currently, the map indicates there are some very high risk areas, as marked by black dots, which is earlier than in previous years. Lambs born from mid-February onwards that are old enough to be grazing are currently at the highest risk. Most March-born lambs are currently too young to be affected.”

Analysing forecast data from 2019 to 2024, SCOPS show how temperature fluctuations influence the timing of the nematodirus hatch. Their study reveals variations in the very high-rise periods for two weather stations, one in England and the other in Scotland.

Dr Wright adds: “The range between the earliest and latest onset of very high-risk varies by six to seven weeks over a five-year period, highlighting that treatment at set times is unlikely to be effective. 

"Neither can we risk a wait-and-see approach because when an outbreak occurs, as Nematodirus can rapidly cause severe harm or even death to a large number of lambs. The forecast helps to pinpoint the timing of any treatment given.” 

The SCOPS forecast uses local weather conditions to predict the hatching of nematodirus larvae. The interactive map is updated every day with data from 140 weather stations to provide a guide to the risk level throughout the UK.

Image (C) Shutterstock.

The statement highlights a number of welfare concerns.

A group of organisations dedicated to improving cat welfare has highlighted a number of concerns relating to the keeping of hybrid cats as pets.

The Cat Group, which includes Battersea, Blue Cross, BSAVA and International Cat care, has issued a position statement saying that it does not support the breeding of wild cat hybrids or the keeping of them as pets. 

It is calling on the UK government to take immediate action, and to implement recommendations set out in the Animal Welfare Committee 2024 report to ban deliberate hybrid breeding and the import of domestic wild cat hybrids.

The statement reads: ‘Hybrid cats are being sold as pets, often promoted for their unique physical characteristics such as large size and wild-type coat patterns. There is growing evidence to suggest the breeding process raises ethical and welfare concerns for the individual cats involved. 

‘Additionally, hybrid cats often experience poor welfare when kept as domestic pets, and owners may struggle with their cat’s undesirable behaviour.’

Hybrid cats are a cross between the domestic cat and wild cat species, with examples including the Chausie (bred from the jungle cat), the Savannah (bred from the Serval) and Bengal (bred from the Asian leopard cat). Many of these species are less than five generations removed from the wild cat, and are thought to be most susceptible to welfare problems when kept as pets.

Moreover, while the crossing of wild and domestic cat genes may produce a cat that is large and physically attractive, experts are apprehensive about the behaviour and temperament of these hybrids. 

The statement continues: ‘For the safety of other cats and wildlife, hybrid cats often need to be confined in the home. However, this confinement is usually detrimental to the hybrid cat’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

‘A lack of research into the specific welfare needs of hybrid cats means that they are at risk of poor welfare when kept as pets, particularly around the need to exhibit normal behaviour and the need for suitable housing. This may lead to abandonment or relinquishment to shelters, many of which are ill-equipped to appropriately meet the environmental and behavioural needs of these cats.

‘As pets, hybrid cats may not see the vet as often as their domestic cat counterparts, and their unique nutritional needs are often not met appropriately.’

To read the statement in full, visit icatcare.org

Image (C) Shutterstock.