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Feline pancytopenia research fund launched
"We recognise the pain and upset this illness has caused" - Huw Stacey, director of clinical services, Pets at Home.
The Pets at Home Group is offering £100k to interested researchers. 

UK pet care business Pets at Home has announced a £100k research fund for feline pancytopenia, a rare bone marrow condition where the number of blood cells rapidly decrease.

The fund has been launched following an unusual spike in cases in 2021, which saw 565 cases between June and October. 

During the feline pancytopenia spike, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) opened an investigation, but a definitive cause was unable to be found. 

Pets at Home has committed to finding a long-term solution to the condition, and will use the fund to provide financial support to academics, institutions and researchers seeking to understand feline pancytopenia, identify causes and improve treatment options. 

Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at The Pets at Home Vet Group, said: “For us, pets come first and always will. 

“We supported the FSA’s investigation throughout but flagged at the time that we believed further research was required into this disease and its causes. As a result, we are launching this £100,000 fund to accelerate research into feline pancytopenia and improve understanding within this area.  

“We recognise the pain and upset that this illness has caused, and our hearts go out to all the families whose cats suffered during the pancytopenia outbreak last year.”

“We hope that this funding will facilitate important research and lead to an improved understanding of this disease, supporting vets in providing pets and their owners with the best possible care and minimising and informing responses to any future outbreaks,” added Dr Karen Humm, associate professor in Transfusion Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary College. 

The research fund is now open for applications until 31 May 2022, and any interested parties should contact pcpgrant@petsathome.co.uk for further information. 

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."