See you at BVA Congress!

This year's BVA Congress takes place on Friday September 28 and Saturday September 29, at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool. With the congress theme being 'Delivering a Healthy Future', there are, say David Catlow and Laura Parish, some very good reasons to attend?…     

Availability of medicines--a report by the BVA Medicines Select Committee. British Veterinary Association

In 1998, in view of continuing concerns about the availability of medicines, the BVA set up a Medicines Select Committee to review policy in this area and to report on any steps that could be taken to introduce greater flexibility into controls. The committee's report was finalized in September 1999, and approved by BVA Council in December (see VR, December 18/25, 1999, pp 718-719). The text of the report, which the Association intends should form a framework for action, is given here.     

Puppy contract receives strong support from politicians

The BVA AWF/RSPCA Puppy Contract has attracted support from the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) in its recent update report on dog breeding.     

Comparison of two canine registry databases on the prevalence of hip dysplasia by breed and the relationship of dysplasia with body weight and height

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of 2 canine registries for classification of the hip joints for dysplasia by breed, and to relate the percentage of dysplastic dogs with body metric characteristics. SAMPLE POPULATION: Data on the ranking order of hip dysplasia by breed from 2 registries for 156 dog breeds. PROCEDURES: The prevalence of hip dysplasia listed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the breed mean score according to the list of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia scheme were related to weight and height as well as the body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) by breed. RESULTS: The OFA ranking order and the percentage of dysplastic dogs were highly correlated with the BVA mean score (rho = 0.74). A significant correlation was found between the prevalence of hip dysplasia and the BMI (r = 0.63). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the highest area under the curve, corresponding to the best discrimination, was at a BMI of 110 kg/m(2) with a criterion value of 15% dysplastic dogs (area under the curve, 0.89). Because the ratio of dogs in the positive and negative groups reflected the prevalence of the condition among breeds in the OFA database, the positive likelihood ratio was 9.32 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.24. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The OFA statistics and the BVA mean scores reflected the prevalence of hip dysplasia among dog breeds. Body mass index accurately discriminated between breeds with high or low prevalence of hip dysplasia.     

Control and surveillance of bovine TB: BVA's strategy and recommendations

Last week, the BVA wrote to Mr Ben Bradshaw, under-secretary of state at DEFRA, urging the Government to take action to tackle bovine tuberculosis (VR, October 8, 2005, vol 157, p 426). Its recommendations are set out below.     

Where do you draw the line on treatment?

With euthanasia a legitimate treatment option in veterinary medicine, at what point does treatment become overtreatment? The issues were discussed in a 'contentious issues' debate at the BVA Congress, which was held in Glasgow from September 23 to 25.     

The New Veterinary College, Edinburgh, 1873 to 1904

This year's BVA Congress takes place in Edinburgh, home of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. However, the Scottish capital has been host to more than one veterinary school over the years, as Colin Warwick and Alastair MacDonald explain.     

BooK Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Veterinary Toxicology, 2nd Edn Myra L. Clarke, D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Published by Bailliere Tindall
Veterinary Biology and Medicine of Captive Amphibians and Reptiles L. C. Marcus. Published by Bailliere Tindall
Interrelations between People and Pets Edited by B. Fogle. Published by Charles C. Thomas
Caged Bird Medicine C. V. Steiner and R. B. Davis. Published by Bailliere Tindall
Parrots W. de Grahl. Published by Ward Lock Ltd.
The Dog Directory, 6th Edn Edited by Joe and Liz Cartledge. Published by the Ryslip Group Ltd., Binfield Park, Bracknell, Berks
Veterinary Laboratory Data B. Rushton. Published by BVA Publications
Dealing with Data Diana M. Sard. Published by BVA Publications
Recent Advances in the Study of Raptor Diseases (The Proceedings of the International Symposium on Diseases of Birds of Prey held in July 1980.) Edited by J. E. Cooper and A. G. Greenwood     

Reporting animal abuse: a vet's responsibility to society?

There is evidence of a link between animal and human abuse so there may be value in cross-reporting between the authorities responsible for investigating suspected cases. A debate called 'Turning a blind eye to abuse?' at this year's BVA Congress considered vets' ability to recognise non-accidental injury in animals and discussed protocols for reporting it.     

Do we care about welfare at slaughter?

In his viewpoint article for Veterinary Record 'Slaughter without stunning' (VR, May 5, 2012, vol 170, pp 468-469), BVA past-president Bill Reilly posed the question, 'Do we care about welfare at slaughter?' And he asked it again as part of his webinar 'Out of sight out of mind', which can be heard on www.vets.tv.     

Overseas Group looks forward to the year ahead

The BVA's Overseas Group provides the route through which the BVA and its members interact with veterinary organisations, associations and individuals in the developing world. The group has a broad spectrum of aims, including maintaining a body of expertise in exotic and emerging diseases, encouraging the provision of veterinary services and promoting the role of vets in disaster management, as well as their expertise in strategies for climate change and food security.     

Recent graduate rep hands over the reins

Can time really fly by so quickly, asks Chris Booth, whose three-year term of office as a recent graduate rep on BVA Council is coming to an end. At the age of 33, and having graduated eight years ago, Chris says that he doesn't feel like a recent graduate, but that he won't consider himself a middle-aged member of the profession until he has paid off his student loan, which will not be for some years yet.     

Cataract in the UK Leonberger population

OBJECTIVE: To survey the Leonberger, a numerically small breed in the UK, for the presence of cataract and find statistical support for the possible presence of inherited forms of cataract. METHODS: Ocular examinations were carried out by the first author between September 1996 and September 1998 on 211 Leonbergers; results of the ocular examination of further 228 Leonbergers examined between January 1990 and September 1998 by members of the British Veterinary Association/KC/ISDS eye scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme) panel were analyzed. Data from all dogs examined were pooled in a composite database of 365 Leonbergers and the relationships between offspring and parents for the identified forms of cataract were examined with appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Cataracts were diagnosed in 90 Leonbergers, the majority being nuclear (40) or posterior polar subcapsular (31). A subgroup of nuclear cataracts, diagnosed in 11 dogs, is described and named as 'posterior nuclear cataract.' For posterior polar cataract, a positive association between offspring and parents was made in the logistic regression model, supporting the suggestion of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of several types of cataract in the UK Leonberger population is described. Statistical support for the inheritance of posterior polar subcapsular cataract is given.     

Canine hip and elbow dysplasia in UK Labrador retrievers

This paper examines the outcomes from recent genetic analyses of hip and elbow scores from British Veterinary Association (BVA)/UK Kennel Club (KC) screening programmes targeted at reducing the prevalence of hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia in UK Labrador retrievers. The analyses made use of 25,243 hip scores and 3613 elbow scores. Heritabilities (± standard error) for hip score, analysed on a log scale, and for elbow score were 0.35±0.02 and 0.19±0.04, respectively, with a genetic correlation of 0.41±0.09. For both hip and elbow scores, there was a near perfect genetic correlation between the left and right joint; analysis of hip score showed a predictive benefit of using the total of left and right scores rather than worst score and the benefit of using all component scores rather than their aggregate score. Downward genetic trends were observed in both hip and elbow scores, although the latter was consistent with it being correlated to response to genetic change in hip score. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) offered substantial benefits in accuracy and hence genetic progress when compared to the use of phenotypes for both hip and elbow scores. There are major opportunities for improving selection against elbow dysplasia through the use of bivariate evaluations, although progress against dysplasia would be improved by more widespread elbow scoring. The studies highlighted a number of ways in which data recording for addressing complex traits may be improved in the future. Ongoing advances in genomic technology may be utilised for increasing the rate of genetic progress in selection against HD and for complex diseases in general, through the use of genomic evaluations.     

Evaluation of some drug combinations for sedation in the dog

A double blind trial was performed in order to investigate the effects of some sedatives in the dog. One hundred and forty-two dogs undergoing radiography for the BVA/KC hip dysplasia scheme were sedated with combinations of acepromazine with pethidine or buprenorphine, or with acepromazine alone. The degree of sedation, resistance to manipulation, sensitivity to noise and response to pain were assessed, and arterial blood samples taken for blood gas analysis. In all respects the combinations of acepromazine with buprenorphine or pethidine produced significantly better sedation than acepromazine alone. Pa0₂ and pH were lower and PaCO₂ higher in dogs receiving the combinations compared with those receiving acepromazine alone, but all values were within normal limits. It was concluded that combinations of pethidine or buprenorphine with acpromazine provide extremely effective and safe sedation in the dog.     

A survey of cataracts in golden and labrador retrievers

Two thousand two hundred and fifty-one golden and 1399 labrador retrievers were examined for certification under the BVA/Kennel Club eye examination scheme. Cataracts were diagnosed in 7.4 per cent of golden retrievers and 6.6 per cent of labrador retrievers; of these 4.7 per cent and 5.5 per cent, respectively, were of the posterior polar subcapsular (PPS) type and considered to be hereditary. Additional cases were examined as referrals. The PPS cataracts, essentially bilateral and always located at the confluence of the suture lines, were most commonly encountered in young dogs but could arise at any age. Over half of the cases re-examined after periods ranging from 12 to 34 months showed no or only slight progression but evidence was obtained for the occasional transformation of a PPS cataract into a total cataract. The hypothesis of dominant inheritance, probable from the pedigree data, received further support from instances of cataracts in retriever crosses. A perinuclear form of cataract, for which there was limited evidence for inheritance, was encountered almost exclusively in the golden retriever.     

Survey of ophthalmic abnormalities in the labradoodle in the UK

One-hundred and seventy-five labradoodles underwent slit-lamp biomicroscopy and direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy between January 2008 and December 2009. These examinations were performed at shows by the first author. In addition, labradoodle eye certificates from the 2008 and 2009 British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club/International Sheep Dog Society (BVA/KC/ISDS) Eye Scheme were analysed (n=260). The results of the examinations were reviewed, and all ophthalmic abnormalities were recorded. The prevalence of any abnormality was compared with that reported by the Eye Scheme and the KC during 2009 for the labrador retriever, miniature, toy and standard poodles. Multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) was identified in 20 labradoodles (4.6 per cent), and cataracts were identified in 16 labradoodles (3.7 per cent). The prevalence of MRD in labradoodles was significantly greater than in labrador retrievers (P<0.0001). There was no difference in the prevalence of cataract between labradoodles and labrador retrievers (P=0.4866). The results of this study suggest that MRD is a relatively common finding in the labradoodle population in the UK. Given such an apparent high prevalence of MRD, routine screening for hereditary eye disease before breeding is advised for this increasingly popular new crossbreed.     

Heritability of canine hip-dysplasia score and its components in Gordon setters

Hip dysplasia (malformation of the hip joint) is an important health problem in dogs. The condition and the control scheme for Gordon Setters was organised by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club before 1976 and use hip scores. Our analyses of hip dysplasia in Gordon Setters used both hip scores and the scores for the nine components (which collectively defined the hip score). The scores for all nine components were available for 732 females and 420 males. These clinical data were merged with the Kennel Club pedigree database (animal's identity, date of birth, and also similar data for its parents, including hip scores if the parent had been tested). Regression models showed strong positive relationships between offspring and parental hip scores as well as for some component scores. The heritability of hip dysplasia (assessed using both hip scores and the major components) was significant, particularly from dams. Our research emphasizes the need for both sires and dams--particularly dams, to have zero or small hip scores. Tested parents have been used increasingly in recent years, but greater reduction in offspring hip score will require stricter selection of potential breeding stock. The models reported here provide quantitative predictions of likely health benefits from selective breeding.     

Assessment of low-cost teleradiology for grading elbow dysplasia.

Teleradiology involves the creation of a radiographic image that is then transmitted electronically. It has been shown that low-cost teleradiology has a high level of agreement when comparing the original radiograph to the digital image. However, there has been little investigation of the effect of digitization on the score allocated by a grading scheme. Radiographs of 60 canine elbows were selected, each in three projections (mediolateral flexed, mediolateral neutral, craniocaudal). Each radiograph was photographed at 3 megapixel (3 M) and 6 megapixel (6 M) resolution using a digital camera. The images were placed in groups (radiographs, 3 M and 6 M) and randomized. Each elbow was independently graded by a radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon using the BVA elbow scoring scheme, with the different image sets interpreted separately. Intra and interobserver agreement was compared using a kappa analysis. The radiologist had substantial intraobserver agreement for repeated grading of radiographs, and moderate agreement for the other intraobserver tests (3 M vs. radiographs, 6 M vs. radiographs, 3 vs. 6 M). The surgeon had moderate to substantial agreement for the intraobserver tests. There was reduced interobserver agreement for all image groups. These results suggest that low-cost teleradiology may only allow moderate accuracy when used for grading schemes, and this may affect its use for breed scoring schemes. However, there appears to be an inherent subjectivity present in the elbow-grading scheme, seen in both intra and interobserver analysis. Therefore, further study of teleradiology using a different scoring model (e.g., hip dysplasia) may be indicated.