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Scientists highlight risk factors for flystrike
For every 1ºC rise in the average local temperature, there was a 33 per cent increase in the risk of flystrike.

Study defines impact of temperature on risk level 

Liverpool scientists are raising awareness of flystrike as part of Rabbit Awareness Week (2-10 June), after recent research showed how disease risk is affected by temperature.

A study published in Preventative Veterinary Medicine suggests that for every 1ºC rise in the average local temperature, there is a 33 per cent increase in the risk of flystrike.

The study looked at electronic health records from more than 40,000 pet rabbit consultations from UK veterinary practices. Risk levels peaked between June and August, but rare cases were seen as early as March.

Researchers joined forces with veterinary surgeon Molly Varga, who teaches Liverpool veterinary students about rabbit disease.

Together they created 10 top tips for rabbit owners on how to prevent flystrike:
1. Check your rabbit daily, and twice daily during peak season from June to August.

2. Keep your rabbits clean: Lack of grooming and overall poor coat hygiene can increase the risk of flystrike. The vast majority of blowfly strike affects the perineal area. Clean your rabbit’s bottom if it’s dirty as organic matter can attract flies.

3. Keep your rabbits’ hutch/environment clean.

4. Keep your rabbits’ at a healthy weight: Increased weight in rabbits increases the risk of flystrike.

5. Don’t change your rabbits’ diet quickly or feed lots of greens.

6. Use vet-approved insect repellent on your rabbits and use fly killers around the hutch.

7. Be extra vigilant with older rabbits: Rabbits aged five and over were almost four times more likely to be affected by flystrike. This might be because with age rabbits become less able to efficiently groom themselves, or because they receive less human interaction, such that owners may fail to, or take longer to, identify those health risks that predispose to flystrike.

8. Be extra vigilant between June and August.

9. Have your rabbits checked regularly by your vet.

10. Call your vet if you are worried, especially if you suspect flystrike.

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Survey launched to investigate EHV

News Story 1
 Zoetis has launched a new survey to identify management techniques for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).

EHV is a contagious, airborne virus that can cause respiratory problems and severe diseases in horses and ponies. It spreads among horses over short distances, direct contact and through shared equipment.

The survey will explore current knowledge and management practices with EHV in the UK. It is quick to complete and participants could win one of 10 equine first aid kits.

Complete the survey here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
WSAVA launches pet travel guidance factsheet

A new pet travel guidance factsheet for veterinary professionals and caregivers has been developed by the WSAVA in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association.

The Dog and Cat Welfare During Transport factsheet provides step-by-step guidance for all stages of a journey, from pre-travel checklists to post-travel care.

Brachycephalic breeds or animals prone to travel-related anxiety are given special focus in this guide, which also provides links to IATA container regulation and WSAVA vaccination guidelines.