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Boehringer Ingelheim expands Metacam to guinea pigs
Guinea pigs tend to hide their pain, which often makes diagnosis difficult.
Product is first in the EU for the relief of post-surgical pain

Animal health business Boehringer Ingelheim has expanded its European Metacam indication to guinea pigs.

The decision follows an EU marketing Authorisation and means the product is now approved in guinea pigs for the alleviation of mild to moderate pain associated with soft tissue surgery.

Shawn Hooker from Boehringer Ingelheim explains: “As the market leader, it is our ambition to set new standards of care. We constantly invest in our brands – independent of their age – to prevent pain and suffering in animals.

“We believe that treating pain is a matter of animal welfare and that it should be standard of care in all species regardless of their size and number.”

Guinea pigs tend to hide their pain, which often makes diagnosis difficult. But according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, pain associated with surgery is 100 per cent predictable and treatable.

In a press release, Boehringer states: 'With Metacam®0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats and Guinea Pigs, Boehringer Ingelheim now offers the first NSAID in the EU for the relief of post-surgical pain in guinea pigs.'

For 25 years, Metacam has been used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in a wide array of small and large animal species. The product is also used to alleviate pain and inflammation associated with acute or chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis.

The new indication will be launched by Boehringer Ingelheim in all European countries throughout 2018.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.